Each year during Lent and Advent, Westdale United Church takes up a special offering for specific community organisations that are chosen by our Outreach Committee.
As part of your Lenten observance, you may wish to consider a donation to one
or several of the organizations listed below.
Envelopes will be available at church during Lent. If you prefer to send a cheque to the church, you may specify which organization(s) you wish to support; otherwise, your donation will be divided among all of them. You can donate through any of the ways our church accepts donations which can be found HERE.
Five Oaks
Five Oaks is an Education and Retreat Centre near Paris, Ontario, and
affiliated with the United Church of Canada. It strives to be a sacred place
where peoples of all faiths as well as spiritual seekers can gather in
community to live, work, learn, pray, play, heal, and act for justice. Such
experiences lead to a deeper connection with creation, with the divine, and with self.
https://fiveoaks.on.ca/
Amnesty International
Thousands of people are in prison because of their beliefs, many held
without charge or trial. Torture and the death penalty are widespread. In
many countries men, women and children have just “disappeared”.
Whenever human rights are violated, Amnesty International’s network of members in 150
countries steps in to provide practical help through a constant stream of letters and appeals on
behalf of individual prisoners. Our contributions support Amnesty’s worldwide mandate and
the activities of Amnesty International Group 21 (Burlington).
Interval House
Interval House is one of the crisis interventions homes in
Hamilton. Emergency short term shelter, meals, personal needs
and legal advice are provided for women suffering relationship
violence/abuse. Group and individual counseling assist women to
reclaim control of their lives and to establish safe new homes for their families. In 2022, in
partnership with MentorAction, a new program, Coaching Boys into Men!, was introduced,
which seeks to prevent gender-based and sexual violence by supporting coaches in building
positive and safe sports cultures.
24-hour crisis line: (905) 387-8881
https://intervalhousehamilton.org/
McMaster Campus Ministries Council (McMaster University Chaplaincy Centre)
The McMaster Chaplaincy Centre is part of the Spiritual Care and Learning Centre
at McMaster University. The Ecumenical Chaplain provides spiritual care and
supports individuals relationally, practically, spiritually and intellectually
regardless of their faith or ideological beliefs. The work of the Ecumenical
Chaplain is funded by annual grants from the Anglican, Presbyterian, and United
Church as well as by donations from local churches, McMaster staff and faculty, retirees, and
community members. Programs include: Soup and Spirit (free soup and bread) on Wednesdays, Wonder Walks (simple time in nature) on Thursdays, Exam Hospitality (tea, coffee and yummy homemade cookies along with a sympathetic ear and a break from studying) during exams and the Therapy Dog Program.
https://mcmasterchaplaincy.org/
Kemp Care Network (Bob Kemp Hospice)
Hospice Palliative Care is the combination of active and compassionate therapies
extended to comfort and support individuals and their families who are living with a life-
threatening illness. The Kemp Care Network has offered services in our community since 1991.
In July 2007, “Bob’s House” opened on Stone Church Road, offering a home to those in the last
months of life, and a space to operate a number of support programs. A new initiative is raising
funds for a local pediatric hospice.
Hamilton Regional Indian Centre
The Hamilton Regional Indian Centre is a non-profit organization working with and
for the urban Aboriginal population of the Greater Hamilton area. The Centre was
created to meet the needs and provide a place where the urban Aboriginal
population could get together to access and share their culture. Some of their
programs include: Aboriginal Alternative Secondary School Program (ASSP), Aboriginal
Alcohol/Drug Program, Aboriginal Family Support Program, Aboriginal Prenatal/Nutrition
Program, Aboriginal Healing & Wellness Program, etc. In 2022, with the help of city funding,
they opened a drop-in centre at 407 King St. W.