They sang as a group, as soloists, as smaller ensembles, and their performance also included dancing. Their repertoire was made up of Chinese songs and a few favourites in English like: Morning Has Broken, Moon River, Danny Boy, and Oh Susana.

David Johnston, a participant in the Meal Program said, “The meal and service is always a treat. A special bonus today was the performance of the Toronto Tian Shu Chorus. Please welcome them back. For me, hearing and watching their performance, was not only enjoyable, it was also educational. Thank you for a great afternoon”.

Click here to see more pictures.

Originally from India, Santosh Ralhan has been part of the group for several months now. Her face lights up when she shares why she likes being part of the CRC Knitting Club.

“I enjoy knitting. This group is very good, the leaders very helpful, and since I retired, this is a good skill for me to learn.”

She adds, “I have learned much about new things. I knitted a little when I was young, but it has been good to start again.”

Emalda Xavier, originally from Sri Lanka, enjoys coming to the club because she loves spending time knitting with others. She has developed a reputation for using the most colours in what she makes for herself and her grandchildren. “The teachers are very good; I love meeting other people from other cultures, and I have been able to make new friends,” she remarks.

“I originally started a knitting club at CRC in June 2005,” explains Eleanor Heinz, one of the group leaders. “Michael Blair asked me to come down and help out as a volunteer in the meal program. After a while, I learned there was a sewing group in the community. I asked these women if any of them would be interested in knitting… and that is how it started.”

During the Regent Park redevelopment, the Knitting Club was housed at Yonge Street Mission, and sometimes even at the public library. But once the CRC was in its new space, it seemed right to come back to where it all started.

In June of 2012, the CRC Knitting Club began operating again out of 40 Oaks.

“It’s nice to be back,” Eleanor smiles. “CRC’s new building has lots of space, is bright, and everyone is so friendly. It’s great to be able to meet here.”

Most of the knitters come from the surrounding community and some are tenants from 40 Oaks. Most are women, but a few men have also shown up.

“Although many start as beginners, most progress quickly and soon enjoy creating things for their grandchildren and themselves. It’s exciting to see the pleasure the people experience in their completed projects,” Eleanor adds. “Jan Richards and I offer technical skills and our co-leader, Mary Dayton (who recently followed in the footsteps of Marion Boyce), offers the soft skills that are so needed for keeping the club engaged and in conversation.”

Some knitters are regulars, some come for a while and then leave, but the club as a whole loves their weekly meetings. “They would meet every week of the year, if they could. They don’t want to take summers or holidays off,” Eleanor laughs.

“It is fun being part of all of this. I was a public health nurse in this area in the ‘60s but a lot has changed. I really enjoy the people and don’t have to travel far to experience the diversity of so many different countries,” Eleanor shares.

The CRC Knitting Club is always open to new members.

The Knitting Club welcomes volunteers who can assist in teaching knitting and crocheting.

And the Club appreciates any donations of yarn.

By Bruce Voogd, May 2013

John Deacon (left) with his late friend Robert Garrison in 2006.

John Deacon, current Co-Chair of the CRC Honorary Board and long-time CRC volunteer, was featured in The Grid, Monday, April 29, 2013.

In an article by Peter Lozinski, entitled Deacon of Hope, John is profiled as “An affluent insurance broker by day and blogger by night… [offering] Toronto’s homeless something more meaningful than spare change: friendship”.

Congratulations John. Well, well deserved.

Click here to read the article.

The event began with Greig Clark, CRC Chair, welcoming everyone.

Next, Louise Moody, CRC Executive Director, thanked Juliana for her family’s generous donation, described how the kitchen has been such a wonderful addition to our present programming, and how it will play an even bigger role as we develop a Community Food Centre in Regent Park through our partnership with Community Food Centres Canada. Louise presented Juliana with a plaque in appreciation, and together they unveiled the signage for the new kitchen.

Juliana then had a chance to respond.

“A community kitchen is place where people can come together, share knowledge, and work with each to overcome hunger. That is why our board was so pleased to be able to contribute to CRC’s new building in this way. It fits well with our efforts to end homelessness and hunger in Canada”, Juliana shared.

The event ended with a ribbon cutting ceremony that included Community Meal Program staff and volunteers.

Since opening in March last year the Sprott Foundation Kitchen at CRC has been serving two meals a day – Monday through Friday – as part of the CRC’s Community Meal Program. In the last twelve months the numbers have double from 50 to over 100 for breakfast and from 100 to over 200 for lunch.

The kitchen is also used weekly by Church in the City – Cornerstone for Saturday evening meals, and as a teaching centre for diabetic cooking, food preserving, and the sharing of ethnic recipes and dishes.

Click here to see the pictures.

The Housing Opens Doors Campaign will remind Ontarians that investments in health, education and our economy can only bear fruit if we all have safe, good quality and affordable homes.

Click here or on the image to the left “to ring the doorbell and show support for affordable housing”.

Inspired Souls. Taken in early 2012 at the Cabbagetown Youth Center. Photo by Everett Colrin.

Inspired Souls
The CRC House Band

“I never thought people would enjoy listening to my stuff,” remarks Billy Rose, member and lead singer of Inspired Souls, CRC’s House Band.

“But I always dreamed that one day I’d have the opportunity to play and sing my own songs for other people.”

He started playing violin at age 8, guitar at age 10, and singing love songs at 18.

Billy describes his material as pop rock. About a quarter of the songs Inspired Souls performs are his original compositions.

Inspired Souls began in May 2010 under the leadership of Raymond Mallozzi, CRC’s Community Meal Coordinator, and is made up of participants, staff, and volunteers. Raymond describes it as “an opportunity to build community through music.”

They rehearse once a week at CRC.

“We came together because participants wanted to put their musical talent, energy, and passion into forming a band for community gigs and events. It started as an opportunity to have fun together and to play music in a non-judgemental and safe environment.”

But by jamming together they discovered that they also began to learn from each other and become better players. “I enjoy working with people, helping people along, and collaborating with people on my music,” smiles Billy.

It has given Billy greater confidence to play in public. “And it has enhanced my life by increasing my social skills.”

For Raymond, the joy of being involved with Inspired Souls has been the building of a social network of community members.

“Ray is the glue that keeps the band together. He reminds people of practice times and organizes the gigs,” Billy points out.

“I am just happy to be part of the band,” smiles Raymond. “I was kicked out of music class when I was in elementary school. But today I enjoy learning to sing and play the drums.”

Inspired Souls has played live many times. Their first gig was at Second Base Youth Shelter in December 2010. Since then, other performances have included: Sunday in the Park, political party gatherings, CRC Christmas Dinners, Riverdale Farmers Market performing weekly during the summer of 2011, St. Anthony’s Church Festival, St James Town Café, and ‘Last Fridays’ hosted by Regent Park Focus.

“We played over 30 gigs in 2011,” reports Raymond, “even though only two of them were paying.”

“In the future we’d like to get more paying gigs, and play at festivals. And I’d like to keep working with this core group who are committed, talented, and serious about their music.”

Raymond laughs when he recalls that “one of our original band members, Kevin, joked that since the band was made up of such a motley crew we should really be called ‘Squandered Opportunities’.”

“But,” he adds, “the band really has given people hope and has helped them move forward in their lives.”

As a group, they have been able to build up their self-confidence by practicing and creating music together. They have started recording some of their material so they’ll have something they can be proud of and reflect on later in life. And they have become friends.

And because of Inspired Souls, Billy has been able to realize a dream of playing and sharing his music in public.

You can hear the music of Inspired Souls by clicking on the links below:
http://www.reverbnation.com/inspiredsouls1
http://www.myspace.com/inspiredsouls1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aORZafIvsR8

You can hear the music of Billy (BB) Rose, by clicking on the links below:
http://www.youtube.com/user/billybarton63?feature=watch
http://www.reverbnation.com/bbrose
http://www.myspace.com/bbrose1

By Bruce Voogd, March 2013

On February 21, Board Chair Greig Clark, Executive Director Louise Moody, and Fund Development Manager Bruce Voogd visited the BI&I Offices  to meet with their Senior Management Team and to receive a cheque of $25,000. BI&I has been supportive of CRC and its work in the past, but this year and for the next few years decided to substantially increase their yearly giving.

BI&I is committed to making a contribution to the quality of life in the community, especially where their offices are located.

“When I look east out of my office window I can actually see the redevelopment taking place in Regent Park. And I can see the 40 Oaks building, which CRC operates from. Aligning ourselves with an organization that is making a difference and in close proximity to us are the reasons we decided to support CRC and the good work it does”, remarks John Mulvihill, President and CEO of BI&I.

In addition BI&I is sending volunteer teams to CRC four times this year to help serve lunch during CRC’s Community Meal Program. “When we asked for volunteers, the roster quickly filled up. Staff here are excited by the opportunity to give of their time and see where our support goes”, comments Barbara Hanley, Assistant Vice-President.

Thank you to BI&I and thank you to the staff of BI&I for being generous with their time and resources and for being an example of a good corporate citizen.

Picture above are Louise Moody, CRC ED, receiving a cheque from John Mulvihill, President and CEO of BI&I, with David Pivato, Bruce Voogd, Barbara Hanley, Dave Picot, Derrick Hughes, and Greig Clark.

Louise you have been on the job for just under 2 months, what’s it been like so far?
My first weeks at CRC have been inspiring. I am so impressed by the dedication and energy of the staff, the commitment and passion of the volunteers, and the ability of CRC to make 300 meals a day, five days a week, while providing a safe welcoming space for people to come together from all walks of life.

What attracted you to CRC and made you want to become part of the community here?
The CRC mission of “building lives, creating community, together” attracted me. Those five words have the potential to make a real and lasting difference in the lives of people who are marginalized by poverty and stigmatized by society.

The work at CRC is not about what we do to people, it is about what we can do together to create space where community can thrive and individuals can find a place where they belong and can contribute. So I look forward to working with the staff, volunteers and community members to create lasting opportunities to work together in the rapidly changing community of Regent Park.

What strength, skills, and passion do you bring to the position of CRC Executive Director?
I am committed to supporting individuals, families and communities to work together to create a just, caring, and inclusive society where people have opportunities to connect and feel that they belong. I have been working in the charitable sector for over twenty years.

Initially I worked with parents to support them to the develop skills, relationships, and a sense of community as they raised their young children. Later I worked with teen parents who were often stigmatized by their age and challenged by their limited life experience, and lack of positive supports.

As a parent, a community member, and an active volunteer, I bring my experience in the not for profit sector, my commitment to the work, and a belief that by working together we can make a difference.

What do you think CRC does well?
There is a magic at CRC that I cannot explain in words. You first see it, when you stand outside 40 Oaks. The fact that a small organization made up of passionate, dedicated, and skilled individuals came together with a shared vision and created 87 homes for over 100 people with a community hub. It’s magic!

This magic also occurs daily at CRC when a small group of staff and volunteers, with donated food prepare and serve over 100 breakfasts and 200 lunches, creating a welcoming place for people to come together, to share, and connect with each other. Pure magic!

What are some of the challenges for CRC in the next year?
With a beautiful new building, with housing and community space to share with our partners, and a growing expanding neighbourhood, the opportunities are immense. CRC needs a clear and focused blueprint to guide our work and keep us focused so we have the resources, the infrastructure, and support to provide quality, comprehensive housing, food, and community engagement programs and services in Regent Park.

Louise, its five years later, what does CRC in Regent Park look like now?
In five years, I see CRC as an even more vibrant community hub where people in Regent Park – homeowners and tenants – come together. There is a flourishing community food centre where people share what they grow and learn about healthy food options. There are a multitude of programs offered at CRC, giving community members the opportunities to learn new skills to enhance their lives.

And, building lives, creating community, together continues to animate us as a CRC community.

Where: Metropolitan United Church, 56 Queen St. East, Toronto
When: Monday, April 22, 2013

Proceeds from the event will support programs for youth, social action, environmental justice … and CRC.

CRC has performance only tickets ($95/Ticket) available that, if bought through CRC, will benefit CRC.
The donation portion of your ticket will go towards CRC’s Endowment Fund at TUCC.

To take advantage of this opportunity and to order your tickets through CRC, please contact Bruce Voogd, Fund Development Manager, at brucev@tcrc.ca.

Doors open at 7 pm. Curtain rises at 7:30 pm.

He had come, in part, to use our building as the place to video his Easter Message for United Church Congregations.

It was a pleasure meeting and sharing with the Moderator CRC’s mission and programs, giving him a tour of our facilities, and getting to know him on a personal level.

You can read the Moderator’s account of his visit on his blog. He concludes by writing:
The CRC is a good place to think about Easter, to remember how often, in the first Easter stories, the resurrected Christ was unrecognizable, even to his friends, and how that same pattern might be true for us. Perhaps when we hear stories of a ministry and church transformed; perhaps when those without shelter find a home, and those who are hungry find food and a table of community; perhaps when the word “Christian” describes a way of being and living that those around recognize and name as gift, as life-giving—perhaps then we will recognize Easter; perhaps then we might softly repeat the words of the poet Gerard Manly Hopkins, “Let [God] easter in us, be a dayspring to the dimness of us….” Perhaps then we will have an Easter trust that God truly is calling our United Church into a new way of being and serving.

The photo to the right shows the Moderator accepting a plaque for the UCC from Louise Moody, our ED, with Lois Wilson, Co-Chair of our Honorary Board, and Gary Schlee, CRC Board Member.

Please also visit: www.40Oaks.com; @40Oaks on Twitter; 40 Oaks on FaceBook.