written by Kyle J. Mason

Please read stories about how your
support is making a difference.

 
A Drug Dealer Gets the Boot

May 4, 2012

Over the past two and a half years, a real community and sense of family have developed at the North End Family Centre. The families who share our centre have begun to take ownership of the place, and they care about it as much, if not more, than we do. The North End Family Centre has become a true hub of the neighbourhood in this part of the North End. As much as we have worked toward the Centre becoming an important part of the neighbourhood, it is our friends in the community who have truly been able to make this happen.

Recently I was sitting in the Community Living Room having a coffee and chatting with community members. I noticed a fellow I hadn’t seen before come up to the door of the Family Centre, look through the glass, then pace in front of the building. He then came back to the window and motioned at a female community member to come outside. She went outside, and within a few seconds of observing them, it was clear she was upset with him and was motioning for him to leave. When she came back inside, she shared that this person was trying to sell drugs, and she had told him to get lost and that he can’t do that kind of stuff around here because it’s a family place. She turned to me and said, “This place is special; we can’t let guys like that ruin this place.”

I was touched and humbled that she – and many other community members that come into the North End Family Centre – see that this is a special place, and they want to protect and guard it. They want to keep it a safe and healthy place for the community, just as we staff do. This sense of ownership by community members is vital to our growth as a ministry. We don’t want to merely do things for community members; we want to walk alongside them, affirm their value and worth, and help empower them to make choices and take stands that show love and respect for themselves and for one another. It’s a beautiful thing to see it happening before our eyes.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre

Make a difference; sponsor a family and change our city with a monthly donation. Click here and sign up today.

Joanne is Empowered

April 23,2012

Recently, I was sitting in the Family Centre's Community Living Room when Joanne sat down and started a conversation. I had not seen Joanne for a couple of weeks and I asked how things were going. Joanne's face lit up and she said, with excitement, that she was having a great day. Joanne reached into her purse and pulled out an ID card she had received from MPI earlier in the day. With a sense of pride she handed it to me and shared that it was the first piece of ID she has had since her purse was stolen at a New Year's Eve gathering.

Joanne, like many people in the North End who have a hard time making ends meet, was not able to afford replacement identification cards. Many government agencies charge a fee to replace lost or stolen photo ID card. The charges can range from $10 to $75, which is an enormous amount to Joanne, who has only $50 a month remaining in her monthly budget after her rent is paid.

Joanne has been coming into the Family Centre for the past few months and making use of our Community Laundry Room, the Community Phone, and our Community Computer Bank. Because of accessing our programs, Joanne was able to save some money, which allowed her to replace her ID. with a huge smile Joanne said, "Now when people ask me for ID I can pull it out and prove who I am, just like you. I feel so empowered!"

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre
 

Scratching the Surface

Febuary 16, 2012

Just over a year ago, we noticed that a growing number of our community members were seeking out staff for prayer, pastoral care, with questions and a desire to discuss matters of faith. Out of this increasing need, our Community Life Group was born. The Community Life Group provides a small group environment for deeper conversations about life and faith. Our Community Pastor, Tara Janzen, provides leadership to this weekly evening group. The group meets outside of regular Community Living Room hours, which provides a quiet atmosphere away from the busy pace of the community at the North End Family Centre. This also allows individuals to choose whether or not they would like to participate in the Community Life Group.

The attendance has fluctuated but a core of 5-6 community members have become quite connected in this evening group. Prior to connecting to the North End Family Centre, these individuals did not know one another. It has been wonderful to see the progression for these individuals from not knowing anyone in their neighbourhood to now sharing and opening up with one another. For many, this type of open and vulnerable relationship is a first in their lives. Although only one of these individuals attends a local church, still they all choose each week to come and explore issues of faith and Christianity. It truly is a beautiful thing to see.

I am excited to see how the Community Life Group will grow and develop, and the lasting impact it will have on the people who are involved. I know that this small group is just beginning to scratch the surface of what is possible in the community. I look forward to seeing what grows from these seeds that are being planted. 

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre

Make a difference; support a family and help change our city with a monthly donation of $25.  Click here and sign up today.

A Widower Finds Community

November 3, 2011

I would like to share a story with you.

Edward has been widowed for seven years, and lives on a small pension income. His children are grown and have moved to cities across Canada. Due to Edward’s issues with anxiety, he often spends his days alone and has few social relationships.

Edward lives near the North End Family Centre, and happened to come in one day on his way to the grocery store. He has been coming to the Family Centre every day we’re open for the past 3 months. He often comes in several times a day for a cup of coffee and short visit – as long as his anxiety allows. Edward uses the phone and does his laundry at the Family Centre, because he does not have a home phone and finds the coin-operated laundry in his building too expensive. He has also started to attend our Wednesday evening Community Life Group, a group that fosters deeper connections and encourages discussion about faith and life.

Slowly but surely over the past 3 months, Edward has made connections with other people at the Family Centre. He is well-liked and respected by other community members, and has made a few good friends. Recently, I heard Edward making plans to have a few other men over to his apartment for coffee later in the evening. He told me this was the first time he had invited anyone into his home in a year and a half.

The North End Family Centre has a goal of being a place where people can find belonging and acceptance. People like Edward can connect at a pace that feels safe, as they overcome barriers like anxiety, depression, and other mental health concerns that so often isolate individuals. Our desire is to see people connect with one another in community, with staff, and with God. We are honoured to be part of stories like Edward’s.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre

To partner with us as we continue to reach out to Edward and his friends, please click here.

To buy your tickets to our Empowering Families Dinner with guest speaker Dr. Tony Campolo, please click here.

Andrea Finds Hope

September 26, 2011

We all long for a sense of belonging. At the North End Family Centre, one of our main goals is to create a safe community in the North End of Winnipeg, where all people feel accepted and loved. But for those with unhealthy family dynamics or past traumatic experiences, it can be difficult to begin to trust others and become connected to community.

When we first met Andrea at the family centre eight months ago, she was struggling. She cared deeply about her children, but she sometimes found it difficult to make healthy life choices for herself and her family. Andrea had survived many traumatic experiences in her life, and had very few positive supports. She was isolated and felt hopeless about her options in life.

Andrea first came into the North End Family Centre to use our Community Phone. While she still comes in for this reason, she now stays and spends hours in our Community Living Room on a regular basis. During the past 8 months, Andrea has built a strong connection with our Community Pastor / Operations Coordinator, Tara Janzen. Every time Andrea comes in, Tara makes sure to find time to check in and find out how she's doing.

Andrea recently mentioned to me that because of the relationship she has with Tara and the connections she has built through the Community Living Room, she feels like she has healthy friends and supports for the first time in her life. We have seen Andrea's confidence and hope for the future blossom in the time we have known her. With newfound strength and optimism, Andrea has gone back to adult education and obtained her grade 12 diploma. She hopes to pursue further studies in the veterinary field.

It has been amazing to see someone who has endured a lot of pain and felt isolated become connected with community, filled with hope and excited about the future.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre

If you would like to help support families like Andrea's please click here.

John and Stacy Give Back

August 26, 2011

I would like to share a story with you.

A few weeks ago, a couple that we have been building a relationship with for a year asked me if they could organize a BBQ for the community in our back lot. John and Stacy wanted to purchase all the needed supplies for a BBQ that could feed up to 200 people. To quote John: “We wanted to give back to the community and say thank you to everyone here at the North End Family Centre for all your hard work.” Initially, I hesitated because I knew about their personal financial struggles. However, I could see in their eyes that this BBQ was very important to them, so I agreed and the arrangements were made to hold the BBQ the following week.

During the past year, we at the North End Family Centre have gotten to know John and Stacy very well. John comes in often when he has a day off work. We got to know John very well after a serious work injury caused him to be off work. He was a fixture in our Community Living Room for months, until he recently returned to limited work duties. In John’s younger years, he was a self-described “bad guy,” frequently in trouble with the law. Stacy is a woman who has survived more pain and sorrow than most people I know. She has not always been able to deal with this pain in healthy ways, and sadly these ways of coping have sometimes left her vulnerable to even more suffering. A few years ago, John and Stacy met and began a life together. They still have struggles, but they have come a long way from when we first met them over a year ago.

Stacy and John had stayed up the night before the BBQ to make the side dishes and to make sure we had everything we needed. It was wonderful to see John and Stacy’s faces during the BBQ. They both had smiles from ear to ear as they set up the tables and served the meal. It was a wonderful afternoon of building connections between community members, and a beautiful opportunity for John and Stacy to express their appreciation and to show care for their community.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre

If you would like to support families like John and Stacy please click here.

Going from Isolation to Community

July 25, 2011

I would like to share a story with you.

Dorothy is an older, retired woman who has never been married and does not have children. When Dorothy first came to the family centre, she did her laundry, kept to herself, and rarely talked to anyone.

Slowly, we were able to draw Dorothy into conversation. She gradually began talking with us and with other community members. Eight months later, Dorothy is one of the most active - and talkative! - members of our community. She comes in almost every day, stays most of the day, and even gives her time to volunteer at the family centre. We have seen Dorothy move from being quiet and detached to being full of life and laughter, very much connected to her community.

Dorothy shared with us that she has gone from being isolated, sitting alone all day and throughout the evenings, to being actively involved in her community and having many friends.

There are many older people in our society who feel lonely, isolated, and disconnected. We are pleased that the North End Family Centre is having an impact on individuals of all ages, drawing them into community and a sense of belonging.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre

If you would like to help us support people like Dorothy please click here.

A New Mother's Struggle

July 4, 2011

I would like to share a story with you.

Sarah, a young lady who was nine months pregnant, walked through our doors for the first time earlier this month. She seemed a little nervous until we greeted her and gave her a tour of our facility. Sarah mentioned to us that she was having trouble making ends meet and that she expected things to become even tighter when her baby was born. Our Community Pastor, Tara, gave her one of the large gift bags which we set aside for expectant mothers. The bags hold many practical things a new mother needs, including diapers, bottles, soothers, sleepers, a diary, and many other items.

A few weeks later, Sarah came back into the family centre with her newborn baby girl. As Tara assisted her with laundry, Sarah mentioned that being able to come and do her laundry at the family centre gave her one less thing to worry about. Since Sarah is able to come in three times a week to do her laundry, that potentially saves her $120 a month by not having to spend that amount at a local laundromat.

$120 a month may not seem like a large sum of money to some, but that amounts to about 10% of Sarah’s monthly income. This is $120 a month she can spend on baby food, buying diapers, or any of the other expenses that come with raising her daughter.  By being a part of our community here at the family centre Sarah has one less worry in her life, which can have a major impact in a single mother's life.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre

If you would like to help us support new mothers like Sarah, please click here.


 

Building Healthy Relationships with Men

May 30, 2011

I often share the stories of women who come into the North End Family Centre. While our support of women is central to the work of the Family Centre, this month I would like to talk about the impact the North End Family Centre is also having on men in the community.

When the North End Family Centre opened its doors, I did not expect to connect with many men. Since our focus is families, with a goal of building a sense of safe healthy community and relationships, I mistakenly assumed that men in the North End would be less likely to seek out or feel a need for these things. However, in the past six months, we have seen a steady increase in the number of men who have begun to connect with the North End Family Centre. We see all types of men: young, old, employed and unemployed, in relationships and single.

Initially, I was not entirely sure why we were seeing so many men coming through our doors. One day, a female community member pointed out to me that in the neighbourhood, there are very few community organizations where men are welcomed. The vast majority of helping agencies in the North End limit their involvement to women only.  It has become clear to me that men, just as much as women, want to be a part of community. They seek love and belonging. They, too, can feel alone and isolated without healthy relationships and connectedness.

I love the fact that the North End Family Centre can be somewhere men find a healthy place to connect and feel a part of community. Men are building healthy relationships with other men – relationships that do not involve gangs, drugs, or criminal activity. Just as importantly, men are beginning to build respectful, pure relationships with women in the community as well. I know that the North End Family Centre will have a long-term impact on these men, their families, and as a result, on the community as a whole.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre

 

Joanne's Story

April 18, 2011

I’d like to share a story with you.

Joanne, a single mother, was recently laid off from her job and fell three months behind on her rent. Her landlord, who was trying to be understanding and patient with Joanne due to her circumstances, told her that unless the outstanding rent money was paid, she and her children would have to move out at the end of the month. Joanne had been looking for a new job, but with young children she was having trouble finding one that would fit her children’s schedule.

With the end of the month looming, Joanne walked into the office and asked for our help. We contacted the Residential Tenancies Branch of the Government of Manitoba, and inquired about Joanne’s options. The Residential Tenancies Branch set up a meeting between Joanne and her landlord, and they worked out a timetable for Joanne to pay back the outstanding rent over a period of time. As a result, Joanne and her children were able to stay in their home, and Joanne has some time to find a job and catch up on her bills.

We are thankful that Joanne’s landlord has been so understanding, and we are thankful that he is allowing the family to stay in their home. Being displaced is a difficult for anyone, especially for a single mother with young children. Thankfully, Joanne’s family was able to avoid being displaced. Please keep us in your prayers as we continue to help Joanne and her children, and please pray for Joanne as she continues to look for a job.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre

 

Exciting Changes

March 14, 2011

I’d like to share some exciting changes that are happening at the North End Family Centre.

In the next few weeks, we will be starting a Community Life Group that will allow community members to build and deepen existing relationships with staff and with each other. It will also provide an opportunity for conversations about faith to move to the next level. This type of group has been part of the vision since the North End Family Centre’s inception.

The group will meet one evening a week for a time of fellowship, potluck meals, and brief videos to stimulate faith-related conversations. The goal is to continue to build a sense of belonging and community, and to provide opportunity for community members to further explore issues of faith and discipleship.

We feel that now is the right time to begin this group because community members have built strong connections with staff and with one another. We didn’t want to launch this group too quickly, because we wanted to ensure that the North End Family Centre had time to gain credibility and build relationship within a community that gives trust slowly.

Tara Janzen’s role at the North End Family Centre has recently shifted from Program Coordinator to Community Pastor/Operations Coordinator. Tara is a licensed minister, and she has done an exceptional job at the family centre over the past year and a half. We know that her gifts and abilities will be well used as she leads the community life group and continues to provide pastoral care to community members.

We are eagerly anticipating the positive impact that the Community Life Group will have in the lives of individuals and families who have connected with the North End Family Centre. This growth in our organization will require additional resources. I am asking you to consider supporting this exciting next stage of our work in the North End of Winnipeg.

Your support will make a huge difference and will be greatly appreciated. As little as $25 a month allows us to reach out and support one family for an entire month. Please take a moment and sign up today. You can support our work through our website or by clicking on the “Support Our Work” button. Thank you and have a great day.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre

Exploring Faith

February 18, 2011

Jackie, a young single mother, has been coming to the North End Family Centre to do her laundry for the past few months. Most days Jackie would come in, do her laundry, and leave shortly after. On a recent Monday afternoon, after finishing her laundry, Jackie walked into my office and wanted to talk. I asked her how she was doing and she shared a concerning story about an incident that had happened on the weekend. The incident was particularly unsettling since I know she has a six year old.

After a lengthy conversation, which involved connecting her to resources that would help her address the concerns, Jackie stood up and was about to walk out of my office when she turned around to asked one more question: “Do you give out free Bibles?” I told her that we do give out Bibles on request and she would be welcome to have one. I gave her a Bible and mentioned to her if she had any questions about what she reading we would be happy to talk with her.

A few days later, I checked in with Jackie about the resources I had connected her with. She had followed through, and said that her situation was beginning to improve. Jackie said she had come to the centre that day to ask me about a passage in the Bible that she was having difficulty understanding. We discussed the passage and she thanked me for answering her question. I encouraged her to read the Gospel of John and let me know what she thought of the teachings of Jesus. I am excited about the interest she is expressing, and I look forward to continuing this new conversation.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre
 

Building Trust

January 24, 2011

Ruth is a single mother who lives a few blocks from the North End Family Centre. When Ruth first came into the family centre over a year ago, she was extremely abrasive and at times difficult to deal with. She often openly expressed that she did not like or trust staff. Knowing that we are a Christian organization, Ruth often asked what our “real agenda” was. Ruth did not believe us when we told her that we were there to love and serve the community, with no strings attached.

Even though Ruth was suspicious and challenging, we noticed that she still came into the family centre every day we were open. We knew that Ruth’s distrust was partially due to a history of many other ministries and organizations coming into the neighbourhood, making lofty promises, and then quickly disappearing. We did not take Ruth’s behaviour personally; we knew that only time and patience would prove to her that we were sincere in our words and actions.

More than a year later, Ruth is an active member of the community that has formed at the North End Family Centre. Ruth’s abrasive attitude and distrust are gone, and they have been replaced with a cheery personality and a smiling face. Ruth has become one of our biggest promoters with other community members, and has brought many of her friends into the family centre.

It has taken time, but we have earned the trust and respect of the community, which is something we do not take lightly. We are humbled and thankful that the community refer to the North End Family Centre as their “home away from home” and think of us as true friends.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre

 

Happy New Year!

January 1, 2011

Happy New Year and all the best in 2011! We look forward to all that this new year has in store for the North End Family Centre, and we look back in gratitude for the many blessings of 2010.  Last year was a pivotal year for the North End Family Centre. In 2010, the Family Centre grew from a ministry just getting off the ground to a ministry that is having a significant impact in our community. We are helping people in practical ways, seeing lives changed and families restored. We could not have done this without your prayers, support, and generosity.

October 2010 marked the North End Family Centre’s first anniversary. In our first year, we had over 550 people come through our doors. Many of these individuals have become regular members of our community. The North End Family Centre is a safe place, and has become a second home, for a large number of our new friends.

Our greatest success is that the community has responded to the ministry of the North End Family Centre in large number, confirming that we are meeting a need and offering a sense of community and belonging. In this blessing also lies our greatest challenge. The response of the community has stretched all of our resources to their limits. This presents the challenge of trying to meet the current needs of the community, and grow in order to connect with each new family who comes through our door.

To meet these needs, we are feeling a growing urgency to increase our hours of operation, staff availability, and volunteer base. The North End Family Centre is open to the community only three days per week, for a total of 18 hours weekly. Currently, the Family Centre presently employs one full-time and one part-time staff, who are assisted by a growing number of dedicated volunteers. In 2011, we would love to see our doors open to the community 5 days per week, with an additional staff person and even more volunteers. We know that this would have a major impact in the lives of families living in the North End.

We will only continue to grow with your ongoing generosity and support. I would ask you to consider what your involvement with the North End Family Centre may be in 2011, whether it be through volunteering your time or committing your financial support. We have many different volunteer opportunities, both front line and behind the scenes. If you are interested in joining our volunteer team, you can learn more in the “Get Involved” section of the North End Family Centre’s website.

Financial donations can be sent by mail to our office or arranged through our website. You can give a one-time donation or commit to ongoing monthly support of the North End Family Centre’s programs.
As always, we ask that you keep the North End Family Centre in your prayers as we continue to build relationships and impact change in Winnipeg’s North End.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre

Everyone Deserves a Safe Home

December 16, 2010

Where do you go when you need a safe place to rest? For most of us, our home is our safe place where we can let down our guard and relax. However, for many of the community members we see at the North End Family Centre their home is anything but a guaranteed safe space. For many, their home can be taken away at a moment's notice.

Recently, many community members who lived in the same building were all illegally removed from their apartments. The building was purchased, and the new owner decided that he wanted to “fix up the building and remove the trash.” People were evicted with a little or no notice. Locks were changed, and people's belongings were thrown out onto the lawn.

I approached the building owner and tried to get him to change his mind. I also reminded him that what he was doing was illegal. The building owner told me he wanted “a better class of people” that could pay higher rent, and that I should mind my own business. I left his office determined to support the community members as they fought to stay in their homes.

To my surprise, however, I soon realized that no one was going to challenge their illegal evictions. In fact, many of them didn't even know that what the building owner was doing was illegal. For many of the community members, it wasn't the first time this had happened to them. It was simply a fact of life in the North End.

I don't blame my friends for not putting up a fight to stay in their homes. When people are what society describes as “poor,” they can begin to feel powerless and believe that their rights are secondary to others. Many of the community members are also not aware of the laws that protect them from this type of treatment. We at the North End Family Centre are taking steps to try and make sure this doesn't happen to our friends again in the future.

I ask you to keep our friends in your prayers, as some of them are still trying to find new affordable places to live. Everyone deserves a safe place to call home, no matter the level of their income. I would also ask you to keep us at the North End Family Centre in your prayers, as we continue to work hard to build community and impact change in the North End.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre

Reuniting Families

November 22, 2010

I would like to share a story with you.

Sharon likes to use the computers at the North End Family Centre. A while back, I taught her how to use Facebook and how to look for people through the website. Since that time, she comes in most mornings and goes directly to the computers. I often see Sharon looking at pictures and chatting with people through Facebook's chat program.

Sharon told me that through Facebook, she has been able to reconnect with her long lost children. Sharon’s children were adopted as small children, and she spent years wishing she could reconnect with them.

Sharon now has a growing relationship with her children. One of Sharon's young adult daughters has even moved to live with Sharon and her husband. Sharon is grateful to have access to computers and the internet, something she lacks at home due to a very limited income. Sharon is on permanent disability and her husband is only able to work occasionally due to an illness. However, she is able to use the internet and build relationships with her children because of the computers at the North End Family Centre.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre

Hope Is Not Lost

November 2, 2010

You have likely heard about the recent shooting spree that took place in the North End of Winnipeg. In one evening, two individuals lost their lives and a young 13-year-old girl was critically injured in three separate shootings. As yet, no one has been apprehended for these crimes.

We extend our condolences to the families and friends of the victims, and to all affected by these tragic events. I trust that you will join the many who are praying that the gunman be arrested and brought to justice.

Do situations like this cause us to abandon hope for the North End? Do we feel overwhelmed by the task of tackling some of the deep issues of this neighbourhood? Do we allow fear – or frustration – to keep us from taking action and reaching out?

Far from it. Every day, we at the North End Family Centre see reasons to hope. We see it in the faces of the people who come through our doors. We hear it in the conversations and friendships that are emerging between community members. We see it in individuals who are changing their lifestyles and making positive choices, embracing love and community.

Hope is not lost for the North End. There are many organizations, churches, and individuals who are working hard to address the challenges. But they cannot do this without your support. There is much work still to be done. I would encourage you to get involved in any way you can, anywhere you can– whether that is by volunteering, praying, or through financial support. Help make a difference. Addressing issues in the North End makes a better community for us all, no matter where we live.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre

The Power of Prayer

October 7, 2010

Recently, George came into my office asking if I had a minute to talk. I could tell by the look on his face that something was bothering him. Some upsetting and sad things had taken place in the past few days. Not knowing how to process everything that had taken place, George coped by trying to drink away his pain. During his drinking binge, he damaged the house in which he was renting a room. George was told he would have to move out. I encouraged George to apologize to his landlord and offer to repair the damages. Before George left the office, I asked if I could pray for him. He agreed, and I prayed that he would find comfort and strength to make it through this difficult time in his life. George thanked me for the prayer and left.

About a week later, George came back into the family centre looking much happier. Once again he asked if I had a minute to talk. He told me that he had apologized and repaired the damages to the house. George's landlord had graciously given him another chance and turned the eviction notice into a warning.

Before George left my office, he wanted to know if we could pray one more time. I asked him what he would like prayer for, and he told me that he didn't want prayer for himself but that but he wanted to pray for me. George knew that my wife had been dealing with cancer, and he thought my wife and I might need prayer. After he finished praying for my wife and I, he told me he hadn't prayed in years but enjoyed the feeling. George asked me if we could get together to pray together again in the future. I told him I would love to pray with him anytime he would like.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director
North End Family Centre

 

Volunteers Make the Difference

August 23, 2010

Summer is almost over, vacation time has been spent, and the new school year is just around the corner. It's that time of year where we settle back into regular routines. For many of you, your routine includes volunteering with your local church or a cause that is important to you. Churches and organizations value and depend on the support of volunteers like you. 

During the past year, we have seen incredible growth in the number of families, single parents, and individuals who have come through our doors. Many people have come to think of the North End Family Centre as a "home away from home." We have truly have become a place where people not only feel safe, but feel part of a community. 

We are gearing up for our second year of serving families living in the North End. We will continue to be a community gathering place, and we will continue to offer programs that have immediate impact in people's lives. However, we also want to build on the successes of last year and impact the community in new and deeper ways.

We need your help.

We are looking for people who are willing to invest a few hours every month to make a difference in the North End of Winnipeg. We welcome people from all walks of life. You don't need a bunch of degrees hanging from your wall to make a difference, you simply need a heart that cares for people. We have a wide range of ways you can become involved; some are behind the scenes, and some require you to get your hands dirty. No matter how you choose to become involved, you will play a vital role in the lives of families living in the North End. 

To join our team of volunteers please click on the "Get Involved" button. You will be linked to a list of ways you can make a difference. You will also find our online volunteer application.

Before you settle in your fall routine and life gets busy, please take a moment to consider making the North End Family Centre a part of your schedule. Just a few hours a month can make a real difference in a person's life, including your own.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director 
North End Family Centre 

A Broken Bike and the Gift of Giving

August 11, 2010

There is no denying that the North End has its concerns. Not a week goes by without news coverage of crimes or other unsavoury activities taking place in the North End. However, I would like to share with you that you don't generally hear on the news.

Recently, Samantha, a regular attender at the North End Family Centre, asked me to help fix her young daughter's bike. I was willing to give it a look, but let her know I'm not the handiest guy. Samantha brought the bike into the Centre later that day. As I had expected, I lacked the proper tools and knowledge to fix the bike. I asked some of the others in the centre if anyone would able to lend a hand. David, who lives across the street from the Centre, offered to take a look at the bike. It only took him a moment to discover the problem and he quickly ran home to get his tools. David not only fixed the initial problems with the bike, but also a few other issues that hadn't even been noticed yet. With a huge smile, Samantha took the bike home and her daughter was able to ride it for the first time this summer.

These are the kinds of stories that I love to share. I love to share them because this is one of the most exciting and important things that is happening at the North End Family Centre. Two individuals get to know each other and build community with one another. This simple yet profound act of service had an impact on both Samantha and David. Samantha was able to give her daughter's bike back to her, and David received the gift of giving, something that is sadly rare in the North End.

Some people have the perception that only negative things are happening in the North End. But we at the North End Family Centre can see that great things are happening as well. We have the great privilege of being a connecting point where people can come together in a safe and friendly environment and build healthy community with each other.

Sincerely,

Kyle J. Mason
Executive Director 
North End Family Centre 
 

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