2023/2024 Annual Impact Report - Ontario

For Indigenous peoples, food doesn’t just fill the belly—it is a connection to the land that gives life, to culture, to identity, to history and to sovereignty as nations. As food prices in the North continue to skyrocket, the Meechim a Wat (Cree for “food bundle”) initiative by Weenusk First Nation exemplifies the importance of self-sustaining food practices. Each Meechim a Wat bundle contains practical tools for gathering food on the land, including a tarp, fishing gear, a snare and a hatchet among other supplies. With your support, 25 Meechim a Wat bundles were sent to equip 25 youth and young adults in Peawanuck First Nation, one of Ontario’s northernmost communities. The remaining 15 bundles were requested by Mattagami First Nation who are also interested in experimenting with land-based food solutions.

Through partnerships and collaborative efforts, including with the Anti-Hunger Coalition of Timmins and local community leaders like Shannon,* who runs a self-sustaining garden startup business in Matachewan, progress is being made in enhancing food security and sustainability.

In-person connections have proven invaluable, fostering deeper relationships and sharing practical ideas for collective action. Michelin Hunter’s visit to Timmins all the way from Peawanuck and the involvement of Amber Nakogee and Amy Cloutier from Mushkegowuk Council at MCC’s Peace Conference in the fall highlight the significance of these exchanges.

Thanks to your support, partnerships are growing and innovative solutions are taking root, offering tangible support for Indigenous food sovereignty.

*names have been changed for privacy purposes

Doris Kramer, a cherished member of St. Jacobs Mennonite Church, has spent decades contributing to the work of Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Ontario through the creation of comforters. For Doris, this work is more than just a pastime; it is a lifelong commitment to helping others, a way of sharing warmth and comfort with those in need around the world.

Remarkably, Doris celebrated her 100th birthday in 2023, but her dedication to making comforters hasn’t wavered. While many might consider slowing down at her age, Doris remains steadfast in her mission.

Doris’s story is a testament to the spirit of generosity and resilience that permeates communities across Ontario. She is just one of many people, young and old, who dedicate their time and skills to making comforters and collecting kit supplies for MCC. Through their collective efforts, thousands of items are donated each year, offering tangible support to those in crisis.

In a world where so many are in need of comfort, Doris Kramer’s hands continue to work, stitching together not just fabric, but hope and healing for those who need it most. Her story is a powerful reminder that every act of kindness, no matter how small, can have a profound impact on the lives of others.

In 2018, violence forced Perusi’s family to flee the Democratic Republic of the Congo to Burundi. For five long years, separated from loved ones, they sought refuge in a camp. While her husband and sons found sanctuary in Canada, Perusi and her daughter, Nyashema, had to stay behind.

Thanks to your incredible generosity and sponsorship from Erb Street Mennonite Church and Avon Mennonite Church, Perusi and Nyashema were reunited with their family in Canada in June 2023. Your support made this heartwarming reunion possible and began their journey toward healing and stability.

In January, Perusi and Nyashema joined MCC Ontario’s Great Winter Warmup, volunteering to knot comforters for disaster-affected areas. Inspired to give back, they became regular volunteers at MCC’s Material Resources (MR) centre in New Hamburg. Liisa Farrugia from Avon Mennonite Church, who bonded with them through the sponsorship process, accompanied them to bridge language gaps and foster friendship. Break times turned into moments of laughter and cultural exchange, strengthening their bond.

For Perusi, volunteering at the MR centre is a testament to her resilience and a way to pay forward the kindness she’s received. Through her son Sibomana’s translation, she shared: “When I got here, I loved it. When I learned that MCC is working for peace, I love that because although I have peace now, I didn’t have it back home.”

Ron* does not take his community for granted. A survivor of sexual abuse as a child, and then serving time for sexually offending against others, Ron is deeply grateful for those who continue to support him, including his parents and aunt and uncle. “Without their support, I probably wouldn’t be here today,” he says. But he laments how much their support cost them. “They lost just as many people as I did just for supporting me. That’s the hard part.”

Fortunately, Ron also had the support of the Circles of Support and Accountability (CoSA) staff and volunteers who welcomed him back to community after he was released from prison. “It’s like I’ve known them for years. And to me, they were nonjudgmental,” Ron reflects. “They welcomed me with open arms. And I was like, yeah, this is what I need.”

Unfortunately, we had to close our CoSA program in June 2024 due to ongoing funding challenges. While we deeply appreciate our incredible donors, we could not secure the necessary federal and provincial funding. We are grateful for the dedicated staff, volunteers and donors who supported these programs for many years and who continue to support Ron and others through new community partnerships. Our Restorative Justice work continues in a different way, including creative peacebuilding training opportunities.

*names have been changed for privacy purposes

The rising cost of living, the urgent lack of affordable housing, the influx of hard street drugs and the resulting strain on marginalized folks have led to unique challenges for retail spaces in downtown neighbourhoods like MCC Thrift on Kent in Kitchener. As incidences of theft and altercations increased, MCC decided that simply hiring a security guard was not the appropriate response.

“My official job title is Community Safety and Outreach Associate,” says Stephen Soucie. “It is a role that is trying to marry MCC’s values, in terms of community building, relationship building and restorative justice, with the realities of running a retail business [at MCC Thrift on Kent].”

Stephen says that unlike many public retail spaces such as malls or big box stores, where street-involved people might be asked to leave, MCC Thrift on Kent is a place where folks can escape that feeling of exclusion.

MCC Thrift on Kent retail associate Eun Kyoung Park affirms the increased feeling of safety with Stephen’s presence and gives credit for his “soft and friendly” approach. “He tries to understand them rather than controlling them with power,” she says.

Stephen’s role has been such a resounding success that other MCC thrift shops in Ontario are planning to incorporate a similar position to ensure the safety and belonging of everyone who enters their doors.

Total $22,916,802

Total $18,710,282

Total $4,279,420