Ontario
MCC Ontario is committed to fostering reconciliation with Indigenous communities through meaningful relationships, artistic expression, advocacy, and emergency assistance. We assist newcomers to Canada by supporting their resettlement journey through churches, community sponsorship groups and service providers. Additionally, we strive to strengthen our communities by addressing the challenges of crime, poverty, and homelessness, aiming to build safer and more resilient environments for all.
![A large group of people pose together at an airport](/sites/default/files/2023-07/Airport-16.jpg)
Join us at an event near you!
Navigating Mental Health with the Low German-Speaking Population
![Two men lift a heavy object. The man facing the camera is wearing a black hat and dark clothes.](/sites/default/files/styles/event_carousel_desktop/public/2024-08/John%20Peters%20and%20Diedrich%20Wall%2C%20CQM%20verbal%20consent%201.jpg.webp?itok=ewNL2Hnu)
![Two men lift a heavy object. The man facing the camera is wearing a black hat and dark clothes.](/sites/default/files/styles/event_carousel_mobile/public/2024-08/John%20Peters%20and%20Diedrich%20Wall%2C%20CQM%20verbal%20consent%201.jpg.webp?itok=8ouXGQFv)
Training Active Bystanders in Niagara Register
![Individuals of varying age and race form a circle with their hands coming together in the centre.](/sites/default/files/styles/event_carousel_desktop/public/2025-01/AdobeStock_909016327.jpeg.webp?itok=o0SHnnwh)
![Individuals of varying age and race form a circle with their hands coming together in the centre.](/sites/default/files/styles/event_carousel_mobile/public/2025-01/AdobeStock_909016327.jpeg.webp?itok=p366zKn4)
59th New Hamburg Mennonite Relief Sale Learn more
![A photo from several feet in the air which shows several tents, a grandstand, and visitors on the ground.](/sites/default/files/styles/event_carousel_desktop/public/2024-02/Drone%20photo%20-%202023-05-27%20New%20Hamburg%20Mennonite%20Relief%20Sale-3.jpg.webp?itok=BIHIyQZP)
![A photo from several feet in the air which shows several tents, a grandstand, and visitors on the ground.](/sites/default/files/styles/event_carousel_mobile/public/2024-02/Drone%20photo%20-%202023-05-27%20New%20Hamburg%20Mennonite%20Relief%20Sale-3.jpg.webp?itok=vtIhkoQ7)
GTA Mennonite Festival for World Relief Tickets and more info
![A boy and a girl hold up hand made cardboard signs that read Back Bacon, while the boy eats bacon on a bun.](/sites/default/files/styles/event_carousel_desktop/public/2024-02/DSC00803.JPG.webp?itok=a_IwVWnX)
![A boy and a girl hold up hand made cardboard signs that read Back Bacon, while the boy eats bacon on a bun.](/sites/default/files/styles/event_carousel_mobile/public/2024-02/DSC00803.JPG.webp?itok=K0lXkzOp)
![An Indigenous woman in a jingle dress dances in front of a crowd](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/RS51164_IMG_3877-lpr.jpg.webp?itok=LPq9EEJS)
Indigenous Neighbours
The Indigenous Neighbours program facilitates reconciliation through relationship, art and advocacy. We help share culture as we support Indigenous artists. We address systemic poverty issues by responding to disasters, advocating for justice and promoting sustainable livelihoods.
![A child with large gardening gloves cups their face with their hands](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/Gardening%20Kits%202018%20Child%20with%20Gloves.jpg.webp?itok=ZDeg0d-N)
Food sovereignty
The cost and availability of food is a serious issue for Indigenous neighbors in Northern Ontario. Rooted firmly in our relationship to the land, we are participating with nine First Nation communities across Northern Ontario to raise funds to transport community gardening kits to support Indigenous food sovereignty.
![A group of people stand without their shoes on colorful blankets](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/RS100351_DSCF9918-lpr.JPG.webp?itok=0H8L-t4V)
Reconciliation
MCC Ontario listens to the voices of Indigenous people and seeks to walk in friendship and solidarity. We provide opportunities to learn about the harmful impacts of colonization and residential schools. We help equip churches to engage in reconciliation and peacebuilding.
![A water cistern](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/Pikangikum%20Cistern.jpg.webp?itok=i1e5TQbt)
Clean water
Many First Nations communities struggle to access clean and safe drinking water. Across Ontario, the Indigenous Neighbours program advocates for clean, safe drinking water and raises awareness through webinars and other initiatives.
![A woman loading boxes of relief supplies](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/RS127175_DSCF2264-lpr_1.JPG.webp?itok=EOPZPFCT)
Kits and comforters
From disaster relief supplies sent to fly-in Indigenous communities to kits and comforters sent to people displaced in countries such as Syria, MCC Ontario connects our communities with those in need worldwide.
![A young adult holds two cans with green labels that are stacked on top of each other](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/RS127136_IMG_8857-lpr.jpg.webp?itok=Lvz5u3_-)
Stationary meat canner
MCC Ontario’s new stationary meat canner will can over 90,000 pounds of meat in the first year - that’s almost double the output of past years - feeding thousands more hungry people each year! With your help, we plan to grow from there.
![Two kids work with hygiene items on a table](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/RS99155_EC_2010_01_0003-lpr.JPG.webp?itok=J6L-ZCzp)
Making kits and comforters
When you make and send kits and comforters to people in the midst of conflict, disaster or poverty, you provide a tangible reminder that their needs matter. Find out how you can give hope and comfort to individuals and families in Ontario and around the world.
![People working in a warehouse space filled with buckets and boxes](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/20220428_105922.jpg.webp?itok=EMvYEjVL)
Tour our warehouse
The supplies we send around the world offer comfort to families facing disaster or crisis. Join us for a behind-the-scenes tour of our Material Resources warehouse and see how your support allows us to share hope and comfort in the name of Christ.
![Two girls learn over a table and work with hygiene items](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/RS121798_IMG_0996-lpr.JPG.webp?itok=OMedUtX1)
Volunteer with us
Volunteers are the front line of our relief work around the world. Positions include receiving, packing and shipping material resources, as well as sewing, fabric cutting and teaching skills to create beautiful blankets that are sent to people in crisis. Join us!
![A family of three in an airport. The father holds a welcoming sign](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/Airport-1.jpg.webp?itok=JCkjpMWx)
Welcoming and supporting newcomers
Across Ontario, we support groups such as churches and municipalities that welcome newcomers through Canada's private sponsorship of refugees program. We liaise with service providers to deliver culturally sensitive services to Low German-speaking Mennonites.
![A woman in a hijab looks down at a girl who is rolling up some paper. They are in an airport](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/Airport-4.jpg.webp?itok=Q_b7b-_L)
Supporting refugees
Around the world, people become refugees when they are forced to flee their homes because of conflict or violence. Learn how you can bring newcomers to Canada through the Private Sponsorship of Refugees Program.
![A large group of people pose together at an airport](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/Airport-16.jpg.webp?itok=gZ9mDMC1)
Blended Visa Office Referred program
The Blended Visa Office Referred program is a program where the Canadian government contributes to the financial support of newcomers. Under this model, newcomers receive six months of income support through the Canadian government and the sponsoring groups cover the remaining six months.
![A young woman in a floral dress with a head covering](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/Lisa%20Thiessen%2C%20Mennomex%2C%20signed4.jpg.webp?itok=xm0A9BLb)
Supporting Low German-speaking newcomers
MCC has long standing relationships with Low German-speaking Mennonites across North and South America. In Ontario, we provide support to Low German newcomers through capacity building, networking and advocacy and partnering with other groups working with Low German newcomers.
![A group of young adults sit and stand around a table](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/MicrosoftTeams-image%20%2811%29.png.webp?itok=-m5wjCAY)
Restorative justice and peacebuilding
The Restorative Justice program in Ontario offers a variety of creative training opportunities for individuals, churches and community groups to help tear down stereotypes and teach peacebuilding and active intervention skills.
![A watercolor painting pictures people in green profile standing in a circle.](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/circles%20print.jpg.webp?itok=yV6GGYCJ)
Walking with People in Poverty
In Ontario, we respond to poverty by walking alongside marginalized people with compassion and caring. We help provide meaningful employment, promote sustainable livelihoods and create awareness through advocacy.
![Two woman sit next to each other. The woman on the left is sitting in a white lawn chair, holding a hot dog on a stick and is leaning into the woman on the right. The woman on the right is sitting on a hay bale](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/2018%20Bonfire%20-%20Colleen%20and%20Stacey%20%28landscape%29.jpg.webp?itok=tXq3p71a)
Circle of Friends
Circle of Friends supports individuals and families around Kitchener-Waterloo who are transitioning from homelessness and shelter-living back into the community. Small groups meet each week, creating a network of support for those in transition.
![A group of six cooks in hair nets stand behind a table where bags of soup sit.](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/Full%20team%20photo%20w%20soups.JPG.webp?itok=hsQTqr7h)
Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise
Through the sale of delicious, handcrafted gourmet soup, the Raw Carrot Soup Enterprise creates meaningful employment for amazingly talented individuals who face barriers to employment due to social exclusion.
![A woman speaks to a group who are all sitting in chairs in a circle](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2023-07/RS31241_CAN20140217_westmorland_sy007.jpg.webp?itok=kdPWv7ES)
Advocacy
We advocate for policies that contribute to peace and justice in Ontario. We work directly with people impacted by poverty and injustice to find ways that government policies and programs can be improved to help ensure everyone can live a life of dignity.
![10 people sit and stand in two rows for a group photo](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_597x448/public/2024-10/PAG%20Sept%202024%20colour.JPG.webp?itok=gb9xIUAN)
People’s Action Group (PAG)
PAG members are experts in the homelessness experience and provide opinions and share knowledge to guide the ongoing work of the housing stability system in the Waterloo Region.
PAG includes people who have a lived experience of homelessness and have accessed supports available in the Waterloo Region housing stability system.
MCC’s work in Ontario
Read stories about the people and partnerships behind MCC’s work in Ontario and around the world.
![Five-year-old Sudeyis Sherif, collects his award for standing 1st in his nursery school class from MCC staff Solomon along at the morning assembly cermony of RPC Preschool, Adama Ethiopia, March 2024.](/sites/default/files/2025-02/RS136009_DSCF0736.jpg)
General impact report - Winter 2025
![Two women sitting at a comforter frame smiling at the camera](/sites/default/files/2025-01/IMG_7551a.jpg)
Wrapping the World in Love
![A blue quilt in a star pattern with waves woven between the points.](/sites/default/files/2025-01/PXL_20250121_160444145.jpg)
The Journey of a Fractured Star
![A woman explains how a piece of equipment in the MCC Meat Cannery works.](/sites/default/files/2025-01/PXL_20250118_185006469.MP_.jpg)
The grand opening of the MCC Meat Cannery
![A group of several youth and four adults post for the camera in a green field.](/sites/default/files/2025-01/20240510_134600.jpg)
Your impact in Ontario - Winter 2025
A Warm Gathering
Discover the impact of Circle of Friends and how you can get involved—learn mor…- Poverty Reduction
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