2022/2023 Annual Impact Report - Ontario

Bill Louttit and his seven brothers and sisters grew up eating wild game in the fly-in community of Lake River about 180 km north of Attawapiskat. “Everything you needed to eat was outside th door,” recalls Bill. Today, because of the disruption of traditional food systems and knowledge caused by residential schools and colonialism, most Indigenous communities rely on overpriced, poor quality food shipped from urban centres.

MCC has partnered with First Nations communities all over Northern Ontario to support food sovereignty with initiatives such as community garden kits which come complete with all the tools and seeds needed to start a large garden.

In February, 122 people gathered at the MCC Ontario Material Resources Centre to knot comforters during the Great Winter Warm-up, a week-long comforter-knotting blitz. Across Ontario, hundreds more gathered in churches, homes and apartments. Each comforter provides warmth and compassion to individuals and families who have lost so much.

Tawimbi and her children fled violence in Democratic Republic of Congo and immigrated to Canada in 2017, but she was forced to leave her husband behind in a Tanzanian refugee camp. Issues with the residency paperwork and then COVID-19 closures meant that he has been unable to see his family for over six years. The wait was long, and at times it has felt like all hope was lost. But your compassion and care have supported them every step of the way.

In March 2023, we received the happy news that Tawimbi’s husband was finally just one step away from being reunited with his family. Hope is on the horizon!

We know the impact of prison and how overwhelming it is to return to the wider community. Our participants face incredible difficulties after incarceration. Challenges and frustrations can lead to isolation, and isolation often leads to re-offence. The Faith Community Reintegration Program
 FCRP) comes alongside formerly incarcerated individuals who want to make meaningful spiritual connections. This year, FCRP served 19 women with this goal. The program also supported these women to ensure no breach of parole conditions. We are happy to report that 100% of participants had no breach of conditions and no new criminal charges.

Circle of Friends supports individuals and families transitioning from homelessness and shelter-living to stable housing in the community.

Ben* was one of those people. When Ben was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, he didn’t have many people to be there for him, but he was not alone. His Circle created care packages for him and continued their visits at the hospital which he appreciated so much.

Ben eventually died in hospital, but his story remains one of resilience and hope.

Last year, MCC supported 17 active Circles, facilitated 333 Circle meetings and worked with 34 volunteers.

*name changed

Malcolm Gladwell

The Power of Partnership describes the essence of MCC’s approach to our work in relief, development and peace in the name of Christ. That was the theme for MCC’s signature event in October 2022 in Kitchener with best selling author, honorary Mennonite and K-W native Malcolm Gladwell. The event celebrated MCC’s centennial of 2020, but was postponed because of the global pandemic crisis. About 650 MCC friends and supporters gathered for an amazing evening that will last long in the memory. Using stories and sports analogies, Gladwell emphasized the evening’s theme of the power of developing relationships with local, on-the-ground organizations. He also spoke about how working together as a team can bring peace, dignity and hope to those who need it most. Gladwell challenged the audience to carry the message that building a better community requires teamwork such as those shown by a soccer team. Attendees generously contributed over $150,000 to support MCC’s efforts here in Ontario and worldwide.

Training Active Bystanders (TAB) is a program that equips us to respond to moments of crisis, whether large or small, in a peaceful and de-escalating manner. TAB has been implemented by MCC’s Restorative Justice team since 2019.

Participants have found TAB to be a practical tool for peacebuilding, as well as an opportunity to learn more about one’s self.

One participant wrote:

“I find it a bit easier to see the human being behind actions or words that are hurtful, rather than automatically falling back into my habitual reaction which is to try to convince them I’m right.”

Barb LeBlanc, a volunteer at an MCC thrift shop, showed how being a gentle yet “active bystander” not only prevented a potential argument between customers who wanted the same pair of sandals, but turned it into an above-and-beyond customer service experience by finding a suitable pair for each customer. “There was a potential for confrontation – thankfully it didn’t occur.”

In collaboration with 11 partners, MCC has trained over 2,000
participants across Canada.