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Counselling
We provide individual and
family counselling in Chinese, Spanish, Vietnamese and English
Immigrant
Settlement
We assist the newcomer
with information, referrals and counselling. We offer our services
in Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish and English
Refugee Sponsorship
We facilitate contact and
follow-up between refugees and their potential sponsors such as immediate
family or churches, and assist in the process of immigration.
Children's Programs
Hispanic Summer
Camp
Neighbourhood Summer Camp
Hispanic March Break
Activities
Homework/ESL Assistance
Seniors Programs
Weekly Hispanic Group
Neighbourhood Social
Activities
Please Call
416-535-6262 for an appointment or for information about our programs. |
Support
Programs
Vietnamese
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Life
Skills Workshops
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Parenting
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Bible
Study
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Woman's
Support Group
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Prison
Ministry
Hispanic
Chinese
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Life
Skills Workshops
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English
Classes
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Home
Visits
Community
Services
Food
Bank
Income
Tax Clinic
Job
Referral Service
Community
Education
Referrals
to Other Agencies
Christmas
and Special Celebrations |
| Since 1968, The
Lighthouse has served the Bathurst-Duppont area of Toronto as a ministry
of the Christian Reformed Church.
Originally a church neighbourhood outreach
program, it developed into an agency that also facilitates refugee
immigration and settlement. In the process, it has become a
"home" for many of those who have been sponsored. The
Lighthouse is also a multi-ethnic community centre, providing much needed
support, friendship, programs and resources.
Financial Support is through the generosity
of the people in the Toronto area and across Canada. Churches,
individuals, corporations and organizations all contribute to The
Lighthouse mission of helping others in the name of Christ. |
The Lighthouse
needs your help.
Please send your commitment to:
The
Lighthouse
1008
Bathurst Street
Toronto,
ON M5R 3G7
Phone:
416-535-6262
Fax:
416-535-3293
Email:
rob@lighthousecentre.ca
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| The
Christian Reformed Inner City Ministry (CRICM), conducting the ministry
known as "The Lighthouse," is owned by the membership, which
consists of "the churches of Classis Toronto." It is
incorporated with an elected board of directors, has its own Canada
Customs & Revenue Agency registration number, and owns the building it
occupies. It currently holds its Annual General Meeting during a
break at the May session of Classis Toronto, where delegates function as
the representatives of the churches of Classis Toronto.
The CRICM and The Lighthouse have a unique
place and history within Classis Toronto. Various partners and
stakeholders have been involved, and its mission has been in word and
deed. The CRC denomination, its agencies, Classis Toronto, churches,
ministers, elders, deacons, and church members have all played vital
roles. The reorganization in 1979 and subsequent years have
confirmed the importance of continued involvement by both Classis and
Deacons. |
| We
normally don't do matchmaking, but one of our clients was married in
September, and had the reception at the Lighthouse centre. We met
her as a troubled person, from a Buddhist background, a victim from a bad
family situation. After some time, she discovered the Lord, and
discovered a Christian man whom she married!
A client came back - as a work placement
for social services. Originally a person needing assistance through
our Food Bank, and a recipient of the Adopt-A-Family program, she
eventually was able to go to school, and is not here one day per week
helping with the Hispanic Outreach.
A neighbourhood senior resident, a frequent
drop-in for food, clothing, and to vent or talk, lost his health card with
no back-up documents. We connected him to various offices, but he
often lost his way and his temper. Eventually, we helped him get the
right papers at the right office.
Our Emergency Food Bank needs have almost
doubled in this past year, from about 75-100 households per month, to a
current 150 per month. Our regular supplies from the Daily Bread
Food Bank warehouse could not keep up with our requirements. The CRC
Classis Toronto Diaconal Conference jumped in by organizing the
"Blessing Bag" campaign, resulting in over 1000 full grocery
bags donated to the Lighthouse by members of 11 area churches. This
will see us through Christmas and into January.
In the summer, we enjoyed a great
"Mothers and Kids" family values week, and a special Vacation
Bible School in connection with one of our churches.
On most Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays our
building is used by various groups, learning new skills, creating crafts,
cooking in our new kitchen, breaking bread together, discussing their life
and family, and even engaged in Bible Study.
Every day our staff, Rita Wong, Samia Saad,
and Thuy Tran work with their communities to give advice, counselling,
referrals, and encouragement. The counselling is supported by a
wonderful grant from Salem Christian Mental Health Association.
Meanwhile, Janet Elliott holds it all together with reception,
registration, and ministry support. We thank God for dedicated staff
members.
By the time you read this, we will have had
Christmas celebrations at the Lighthouse for a number of different
groups. Special speakers, programs, foods, and celebrations,
Adopt-A-Family, Christmas Hampers, and gifts and toys. What a
privilege to celebrate Christ with others, especially for those who do so
for the first time.
We have been blessed with support to allow
us to continue a successful Phone-A-Thon funding campaign in the spring, a
week long display at Pacific Mall in Toronto before Thanksgiving, a
wonderful celebration with International Dinner and Silent Auction last
month to raise over $20,000 donations from churches, organizations,
businesses and individuals to keep us going day to day and month to month.
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