December 2009 saw SI-DAF donating $600 of gifts to the Wesley Christmas Store in Hamilton.

The ‘Store’ is set up over the Christmas period for those members of our community who are not fortunate enough financially to be able to buy gifts for their loved ones. The ‘Store’ is made up of two sections, one for gifts and one for food and is managed, in the main, by volunteers, many of whom come back year after year to help make sure everything runs smoothly and that the ’customers’, young and old, male and female, are given a warm welcome.

One visit to the setting up phase of this ‘Store’ brings it home to you just how fortunate the majority of us are. Find out how you can get involved »

We are requesting the help of the community to help share this opportunity:

Women’s Opportunity Award applicants are women, who as head of their household, have returned to school or a training program to improve their working status to assist their family. Download our Women’s Opportunity Award flyer »

Violet Richardson Award applicants are girls between the age of 14-17 years old who volunteer in their community. Download our Violet Richardson Award flyer »

These are our signature programs and we really need to be able to recognize and reward wonderful women who are making a difference in our community, so please assist us in encouraging these women to apply.

Thank you so much.

When the Waterdown Rotary Club offered ‘grants’ to local individuals or service clubs with interesting ideas of how they could put a sum of money to work, Sandy at SI-DAF jumped at the opportunity to receive a portion of this funding. We were all the more grateful when they announced us as one of the winners!

Our plan is to use the funding to help women who are moving on after their stay at Drummond House in Flamborough (a local organization offering temporary housing with practical assistance and compassionate care) by providing them with a little extra financial assistance in their next step of their personal independence. The club’s goal is to take the $500.00 granted to them by the Waterdown Rotary Club and add to it via personal contributions from not only club members, but also from people: right here in our community who also would like to help make a difference.

The goal it to first double or triple the initial amount before the club’s members will then approach local area businesses to purchase gift cards for the ladies. At that time they are hoping the merchants will further contribute to this by providing additional contributions of even more gift cards.

“At least 600 of Hamilton’s Youth are street-involved or homeless”, the 2005 Addressing the Needs of Street-Involved and Homeless Youth in Hamilton report states.  Wesley Youth Housing (WYH) is working to change this with a supportive transitional housing program specially designed to transform the lives of Hamilton’s street-involved and homeless youth. They are working to decrease homelessness by investing in the lives of at-risk youth, ages 16 to 21, and working to create individual well-being, independence and housing stability.

Moved by a past guest speaker, Paul Johnson, Director of Wesley Urban Ministries, we have donated $1,500 to support their mission.

Pauline Hardcastle presents a cheque to Paul Johnson, Director of the Welsley Urban Ministries

The money will be used to support one year of Life Coach sessions, which cost approximately $100 to run each month. The youth work one-on-one or in group sessions towards life skills such as budgeting, grocery shopping, cooking and time management.

A snapshot of a pod interior (kitchen area)

The remainder of the funds will be used to assist with the turn over costs for a fully furnished, all female shared accommodation pod, located at the Main and Hess program facility. Each pod has a common kitchen and eating area, a living room and two bathrooms, plus a locking bedroom for each girl.

Youth are referred primarily by agencies; however self-referrals are accepted. If you would like to find out more about the program or how you can get involved, contact Wesley Urban Ministries at 905.527.4430, by email youth.housing@wesleyurbanministries.ca, or visiting their website at www.wesleyurbanministries.ca

Thank you to the friends of SI-DAF who generously donated items to the Babyshowers group in Dundas who collect new and gently used baby and preschool items that are distributed through established community agencies in the Hamilton area.

Articles were picked up yesterday at my home by a wonderful lady, Fran Checkly, known as Mrs. Checkly to me. She was my grade 12 History teacher, one of the best teachers I had. Apparently she is a rock to this group – no surprise!

Shirley E and Fran Checkly from Babyshowers

This donation accompanies a cheque for $1,200 towards new car seats, cribs and twin sized sheet sets. It was presented to Cathy Watts in early February by Linda, who found an article in the Spectator about Babyshowers last fall and submitted their name for consideration to the Programs of Service committee.

Babyshowers accepts donations of new and gently used clothing (newborn to size 6x), shoes, boots, bedding, diapers, formula, books, toys, cribs, stroller, highchairs and playpens. Babyshowers adheres to strict guidelines as set out by the Hazardous Products Act with respect to the safety of all donated items. Charitable receipts are provided for financial donations. Families are referred by established agencies only. For more information about how you can get involved, contact Cathy Watts at 905-627-5135 or info@babyshowers.ca.

Shirley E

The Ancaster Community Food Drive will be held on Saturday Feb. 21.

Volunteers are needed to canvass the community and sort donations at St. John’s Anglican Church (view map »). On Saturday Feb. 14, volunteers will deliver flyers to announce the food drive.

Organizers need 300 volunteers to canvass door to door or help unload cars. On Monday Feb. 23, trucks will be loaded to take the donations to seven major food servicing agencies in the Hamilton area.

Volunteers are needed from 8:30 am until noon. To register as a volunteer call Ancaster Community Services at 905-648- 6675.