I admire the wonderful staff of YSM who have contributed so much to the lives of others and they inspire me to be so much more than I am. As a Board member I serve as a servant leader in support of all those on the front lines journeying with those in need. This quote by Henry Nouwen really sums up why I wish to be a friend of YSM …“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”

 I’d like to end with a quote by Robin and the Muppet Gang, from “It’s Not Easy Being Green and Other Things to Consider” because in very simple terms it speaks to some of the amazing things that happen at YSM every day and the way lives are changed…..

“If just one person believes in you
Deep enough and strong enough
Believes in you hard enough and long enough
Before you knew it, someone else would think “If he can do it, I can do it”
Making it two.
Two whole people who believe in you.
And maybe even you can believe in you too.”

Judy Hunter, PhD

Recently, Zulema shared a story with us about how an incident in her daily life reminded her about why she walks.

“The weather here in Toronto has turned pretty cold over the last few days.  On Wednesday I had the “pleasure” of a broken furnace and a little space heater in the office while I was working. As I was working I felt my feet go numb and the feeling of being constantly chilled – even though I was wearing my winter coat, hat, scarf and boots.  As soon as I got home I took a hot shower and that took away some of the chill but I still felt cold – I didn’t feel warm again until the next morning.  I am thankful that after four hours of being cold I had a warm home to be in, but this experience reminded me why it is so important for me to walk.  There are so many people in our city who don’t have a warm place to be in at the end of the day and I want to be a part of an event like Coldest Night of the Year to help change that.”

We are so thankful for Zulema, her team, and the many other teams that are putting their feet forward!

To support Zulema and The Meeting House – DTO team visit the Coldest Night of the Year Toronto page.

Julia

We can’t thank you enough for all of your support this year. We could not have brought hope to so many lives in our city without your help.

We look forward to partnering with you in 2013!

Wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The Yonge Street Mission Team

P.S. If you haven’t made your 2012 donation yet please click here.

Recently four of our own were awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. This honour was given to Ontarians who exemplify Her Majesty’s 21st birthday pledge “I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service”.

Congratulations to Andrew Williams, Jim Chestnutt, Jan Rothenburger and Rick Tobias on being awarded such a great honour. We are all so proud of you and blessed to work alongside you.

Julia

In keeping with our spirit of celebration, tomorrow night we will Celebrate Rick! If you’ve had any contact with YSM over the past 26 years you know who Rick is. You know how much blood, sweat and tears he has put into this place in his roles as Director of Evergreen and then CEO. As Rick moves into a new roll as Community Advocate we thought it would be fitting to mark this transition with a party!

As we prepare for the party tomorrow night we have had many people ask how they can honour Rick. We made it super easy by setting up an online donation page specifically for this purpose. Click here to make a donation to celebrate Rick’s over 26 years of service. You can even send him an e-card to let him know how much you appreciate him!

Julia

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

Just over a week until school starts.

Can you feel the excitement/dread in the air?

It’s all so exciting!

When I was a kid I couldn’t wait to meet my new teachers, new friends and wear my brand new clothes. There was nothing quite like strutting down the hall in your new jeans and plaid shirt to start the year off right. I’m sure plaid shirts aren’t quite as cool now as they were in the 90′s but I digress.

The ads on TV and the sale signs in the store windows got me thinking about how expensive it must have been for my Mom, who was a single parent most of my life, to get two kids ready to go back to school. I can’t imagine how hard it would have been for her to listen to our pleas for Tretorn shoes and Gap jeans when all she could really afford was to shop at Biway.

As I’ve gotten older I’d like to think that I’ve become more practical. Now that I am spending my own hard earned money I think twice about buying the most expensive or newest things out there. Working here has stretched that practicality even more as I see the real needs of people around me. Four years ago I would have never considered shopping at a store like Double Take to furnish my new apartment or to add a few new pieces to my wardrobe. But now it just seems natural. Why wouldn’t I want to save money and get some great gently used things at the same time?

That brings me to our contest today!

We’re giving away 5, $10 Double Take gift certificates to help you out with your back to school shopping!

Here’s what you have to do:

• “Like” the Double Take Thrift Store page on Facebook
• “Like” the Yonge Street Mission page on Facebook
• Leave a comment here with your first name and email so that we can contact you if you’re winner

The fine print:

• You must complete all three of the above mentioned tasks to be eligible to win
• Winner’s will be notified via email on Thursday August 30th.
• One entry per email
• Gift certificates must be picked up at Double Take by September 30th, 2012
• Gift certificates expire on October 31, 2012
• Gift certificate are non-transferable and must be used completely in one visit.
• Gift certificates have no cash value

I’m really excited about our first little contest and I hope you are too!

Good luck and happy shopping.

Julia

Meet our friends, Los Silverados. A group of hog riding, leather wearing folks who have hearts as wide as the open road is long. Over the past 20 years the members have raised over 1 million dollars for Evergreen and our Student Awards Program. With events like the Poker Run, Christmas Ornaments, Golf Tournament and Smoke on the Water they combine their love of motorcycling with their charitable hearts for with amazing results!

Most recently the members joined together just north of Toronto for their 6th annual Poker Run. This fun filled day included lots of great food, a scenic ride and a silent auction all to raise money for YSM. Last I heard they raised over $4,500, well done friends!

Read all about the Poker Run in the great article and video created by the Stouffville/Uxbridge edition of SNAP.

If you would like more information or to join Los Silverados visit their website at lossilverados.com.

Here’s to the open road ahead of you and the sun on your face.

Julia

Stitting on the dock at the cottage soaking up some sun?

Saying the final goodbyes to your kids as they being a new session at camp?

Eating burgers in the backyard with your friends on a long weekend?

Whatever your favourite memory may be we just wanted to say “thank you” for helping us make this summer a memorable one for many kids, youth and their families in our community.

Whether it was canoeing at Camp Endobanah, fishing for crayfish at Humber Arbetorium, sharing a delicious meal or making movies in our computer lab everyone had a blast!

We could not have provided so many great opportunities for summer fun without the support of generous donors like you.

So from little sand-filled toes to the tips of sticky marshmallow encrusted fingers thank you.

Here’s to an amazing finish to the summer and a great start to the fall!

Julia

P.S. If you want to see the fun for yourself check out our photo album.

I was homeless when I was 13. I’ve been in jail as a juvenile and as an adult. And I knew I didn’t want that life. But the first weeks when you get out of jail are scary. You have no money and from the first day you’re begging from friends and others – even for a place to sleep. But you know that won’t last and you have to get money … and you panic and do something stupid and you go right back in. When I got out of jail two years ago I saw my daughter for the first time. I knew I was going to do anything I could to change my life.

I went through the Connecting Youth to Work program at Evergreen. Not everyone makes it. Your mind has to be in the right place. You have to be willing to make a change. But if you’re willing, the Mission is right there with everything you need at the right time.

People often tell me I’m good with my hands. I did work at YSM and then they connected me to a plumbing contractor. Now he has me in my second year of the plumbers’ apprenticeship program. I have a place to live and a job and I’m good at it.
My boss doesn’t seem to have any doubts about me working on some pretty big jobs. He trusts me to do the work – that’s a good feeling.

I have to succeed. I want it for me, and I want to be part of my daughter’s life.