Kids on the Street
Sometimes people talk to me about how they came to be on the streets, and there are as many reasons as there are people. Whether young or old, all the circumstances surrounding a life are different.
Kids on the street, for example, might find themselves there for many reasons. A seasoned leader of a youth street outreach agency told me this: on average 1/3 of the kids come from broken and disfunctional homes; another 1/3 come from regular homes; and about 1/3 come from homes where the kids have everything they need. But on the street there is a very level playing ground.
Pimps, drug dealers, con artists, pedophiles and other exploiters really do not care where the kids come from! They are quick to befriend, deceive, and use for their own purposes.
We are there on the streets. We meet the kids where they are and offer support, help and friendship. Sometimes it’s a small beginning, but it’s something to build on. We look for the strengths that the kids have, but maybe do not even recognize themselves. It is one of the hardest things we have done, and at the same time, brings a satisfaction and a sense of thankfulness when we see the kids make positive life choices.
Thanks for your support!
Come as you ART – AMAZING SUCCESS
Imagine: You have lived your whole life thinking you are a ‘zero without the rim’. Violence in your ‘home’ has forced you to leave. The streets are as bad as your worst imaginations, but at least better than the mean drunk of a step father who beat you with a hockey stick.
Then: You become a part of a safe enviornment where you do art. You certainly are not an artist by any stretch of anyone’s imagination, but guess what? People you don’t even know, talk to you about how interesting your creations are, how they stir their imaginations, ask what the story is behind the art… and you are launched into a new realm of existence where suddenly, you are a person.
This is not a far stretch of the imagination! One of the kids in the show came up to me and with absolute amazement in her eyes, told me that someone bid $100 for one of her paintings. Low and behold, that person was right beside me at the time! It’s enough to change a life!
Unexpected outcomes: Relatives of the kids came and bid on the art pieces! People spoke highly of the program and congratulated the kids! People lingered and spoke with the young artists. It was a good day and a great show.
Thanks to the many who made this happen! Want to learn more? Call us!
COME AS YOU ART, Art Auction & Coffee House
We wish to invite you to our next PASSION 4 YOUTH ART AUCTION showcasing the artwork and musical talents of street-engaged youth this THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10 from 7pm to 9pm @ Dominion-Chalmers United Church, 355 Cooper St.
Why an ART PROGRAM for STREET-ENGAGED KIDS?
Imagine growing up with no support, friends, security or encouragement. Running away from home because of domestic violence and abuse. You hit the streets with all its darkness, but it’s better than what you left.
It’s like stepping up to the batter’s plate with three strikes already against you.
Then you find there is a safe, clean, dry, welcoming space where you are able to let your creativity flow, join with other people just like you, and find freedom to do whatever you like with paint, canvas and brush.
A volunteer comes along and looks at your art, and you hear words you have never, ever heard in your entire life: “That is beautiful. Did you do that? I would love to have that in my living room. Can you tell me more about it? What inspired you?” And they listen to your story.
Can you imagine what that would be like? To have someone you just met show that kind of interest in your life? When you’ve lived your entire 19 years ‘learning’ you will never amount to anything, never get a job, finish school or make any kind of positive contribution to anyone, anywhere?
Or maybe it’s someone who wants to buy your art, not because they are doing an act of charity, but because they really like your work. They think it’s great! And you tell them.
A few words of encouragement, just those, might just be enough to turn a life around!
Wrongs turning out Right!
Mich and his mother came to be friends of OIM first through our outreach teams and then started coming to the drop in. Mich is 19 and Candace, his mom is in her early thirties. We developed relationship over several months and Mich joined our Passion 4 Youth art program. There is a story here that I want to share:
Mich came home to their small apartment and saw his mom lying on the kitchen floor – her third suicide attempt! He called 911 immediately and after the paramedics came, they told him that if he called just 5 minutes earlier, his mom would not be here. The next time he came to the art program, he asked if he could speak with our youth outreach worker in the hallway for a few minutes.
When they were alone, he said, “We’ve been talking about spiritual stuff for a while now. I’m ready. I need to have Jesus in my life.” Mich prayed and so began his spiritual journey with Jesus.
Fast track a few weeks later and Candace asks to speak with me at the drop in. In the adjoining garden we take a bench and she tells me about some of the things happending in her life and she asks for some advice. She is scared and doesn’t know what to do. We talk and conversation comes around to the change in life that Jesus can bring. Mich joins us and the conversation about spiritual things continues.
“Did I tell you what happened a few weeks ago at the art program?” Mich queried. I nodded yes. “How’s it going with you?” I ask.
“I don’t really understand it all – but I sleep each night with my bible right beside me in bed.”
“You know, we have a great program just about to start here at the drop in – it’s called Alpha. There is a video each week, you ask questions and we talk about the Bible. Would you guys like to attend?”
To make a long story short, both Mich and Candace have indicated interest in our Alpha course. Until then we will work with both mother and son, to help them in their spiritual journeys.
God can take the very worst of situations and turn things around to make good. If we can be there to be a part of what He is doing, it is a privelege and blessing!
I just started back to school – well adult high school to make up two classes, and then college.”
Eddy turns himself in!
Our youth outreach worker recounted this story of last Monday’s events, and I thought you would be interested.
Eddy was one of the first members of our Passion 4 youth art program. He enjoyed coming every week and worked on building model cars and also a model of a mountain with a stream running from the side. After the first art show he and his girlfriend Sue stopped coming to the group. I caught up with him a few times on outreach and he told me that he was selling too much crack now and could not afford to take a night off. So we just kept telling him that we loved him and that he was welcome to come back whenever he wanted to. Then we stopped hearing from him all together for a few months. At one point his girlfriend Sue contacted me and told me that he had been arrested for selling drugs. A few more months went by and I got a facebook message from Eddy. He told me that he had served 7 months in Jail and then was released to serve the rest of his sentence at a rehab facility in Quebec. He was allowed to go home for a weekend and while at home he used heroin again. When he came back to rehab and failed a drug test and was dismissed from the facility.
At his next court appearance Eddy was informed that he would have to serve a few more months in jail because he failed the drug test. He asked if he could go and call his mother. When he left the room, Eddy got scared and decided to run from the court room. He later called his lawyer who told him that he needed to turn himself in to the authorities. He knew that he should do the right thing but he was very scared to turn himself in.
Eddy asked me what I thought he should do and I told him that he needed to listen to his lawyer. He said that he has never willingly put himself in Jail. It was just too crazy to think about. So over the next few weeks Eddy would contact me and tell me that he was going to turn himself in. But the next day he would not follow through. He called me again and said that he was thinking about turning himself over to authorities in the morning. I told him that if he wanted I would meet him I would meet with him at the Rideau center in the morning and we could go together. That way he could have a friend with him in case he got scared and wanted to run away again. Eddy said that he would like that so we arranged a time to meet. When I arrived at our meeting spot he was already there waiting for me. We hugged and I told him that I was proud of him. I got him some breakfast and sat and talked for a while. I asked him why he felt that he was ready now. He told me that he had just found out that our mutual friend Roni had died of a drug overdose last week. Roni was a good friend to him and her death had a profound effect on him. He decided that if he didn’t want to end up the same way he needed to make some changes in his life. We talked about how this was an opportunity for him to face some of the things that he has been running from. We walked over to the court house together. Along the way Eddy noticed a man sitting on the Mackenzie King Bridge pan handling. Eddy walked over and gave him all but 4 of the cigarettes from his pack, as well as all of the money in his pocket. We went into the court and called his lawyer. The lawyer agreed to meet him there. When the lawyer came we approached one of the police officers stationed at the court house and told him that Eddy was turning himself in. He filled out some paper work gave up his wallet and shoe laces. He looked very scared and started to cry. The officer told him that he was going to process the paper work and be back in about fifteen minutes. In the mean time Eddy was allowed to go outside and have one last smoke.
We walked out to the patio in the back and he lit his cigarette. At this point I reminded him of all the times we had talked about the difference that Jesus could make in his life. We talked about how God’s love for him is unconditional, and that he was going to need Gods strength to overcome the things that were controlling his life. Usually an agnostic, Eddy told me that this time he really believed that what I was saying was true. So I asked if he would like to ask the Lord to be his Savior and give his life to Christ he said that he did. I sat next to him and we prayed together. When we were done praying we looked up and the police officer was waiting in front of us to take him to the cells. We stood up and walked together with the officer to the elevator.
The officer agreed not to handcuff him until they were downstairs so as not to embarrass him in front of the public. Eddy teared up again and then gave me a hug. I left him my number so that he can continue to call me while he is in jail. He thanked me for staying with him and then asked if I would call his dad and let him know what happened. As I left the court I thought about how proud of Eddy I was. This was very hard for him but he did it anyway. I thanked God for taking what the devil would want to use for harm and turning it into an opportunity to bring my friend into a relationship with him.
It’s a new beginning for Eddy, a fresh start. Let’s pray that he continues to make good decisions and plans for his future.
It happened at the drop in: a Miracle??
Greg Payne is our volunteer chiropractor at the drop in. He told me a story about an encounter he had with one of our guests, and I asked him to document it. Here is his story. (Name changed, naturally).
Jenny (mid forties) came to the drop-in for her chiropractic adjustment. She complained about a bloated feeling that her Crohns was making a rather symptomatic episode. The day before someone had given her a free lunch at Tim Hortons, but she could not hold it down. She further said she was suffering from intense bleeding and was afraid to leave her house. She had to wear disposable diapers. Her GI MD <gastro intestinal doctor> did an X-ray and told her she had a small bowl obstruction and the bowl had shifted out of place. They admitted her and “stuck tubes in her nose and everywhere” Jenny reported.
I prayed for her, and told her she would do well with her adjustment and that she would be healing.
Two weeks later she returned for another chiropractic adjustment and told me that the day after her adjustment she felt only a little better. But, on the second day following the adjustment she was A LOT better! She returned to the GI MD. He retook the X-rays and said that her small bowl obstruction had gone, that her bowl was in the correct place and “that her Crohn’s or evidence of her Crohn’s had disappeared”!
To this her MD mentioned that it must have been ‘that guy there at the drop-in’, that chiropractor that did it! I told her that it was Jesus who brings the power to heal, but he does work through his people. It certainly was not me.
Jenny clearly needed and received immediate aid – the kind her doctors were unable to tend to without invasive strategies. The Lord’s timing is fascinating!
Jenny is still in need of prayer and support – and whereas her symptoms did disappear as confirmed by her physician, she still suffers physically.
However you try to understand the dynamics of this story, it is an amazing testament to the healing power of God.
GOLF Fund Raiser for Street Youth Outreach
Our street youth art program is really making a difference in young people’s lives. Street-engaged youth are finding housing, employment, entering programs for reducing their drug use and making better life choices in general. Each week about fourteen young people come to the art group, but it’s so much more than creating art!
Some of the kids have described it as ‘family’, others as ‘church’, and all as something they really look forward to each week. Some have described it as the highlight of their week, and look forward to Thursday nights. It is amazing to watch these young people grow and develop in so many different areas.
One of the ways we are funding this non-government program is through our first golf tournament to be held on June 17. Mountain Creek Golf Course in Arnprior will host the tournament with a shotgun start at 12 noon. Eighteen holes with four ‘hole-in-one’ prizes, closest to the pin, longest drive, putting contest and a few other surprises will certainly engage and excite novice and pro golfers alike. It’s a best ball tournament, so there is a chance that someone on your foursome will make a good shot.
A barbeque medley will follow, along with a silent auction, and each golfer will take home a special prize – some pretty nice prizes too, if I don’t say so myself.
It is promising to be a great day, and one that you will not want to miss. We have between 25 and 30 teams currently registered (a few await confirmation – and payment) with room for 36 teams in total.
The few spaces remaining will go quickly and we will probably sell out – so call us today and register your team.
Remember – it’s not only a fun daygolfing, but a great cause. All the monies raised will go directly towards our Passion for Youth Art Program. Call us at 613-237-6031!