Green Wood Coalition

Stephen Kennedy, a writer and a friend of our community, visited the Green Wood Creative Arts Group this week for a poetry writing workshop. Working around a theme of simplicity, he offered a list of suggestions that will help anyone get started with writing.
1. Don’t let anyone tell you that you don’t have anything to write about. There’s no such thing as an uninteresting life.

2. Carry a pen and paper with you to note the simple things you encounter in a moment.

3. Spend time thinking about those simple things.

4. Write the simple, ordinary things of your life.

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Our fundraising plant sale last Saturday was a great success in so many ways. We were able to raise over $400 for our community garden, and we made a lot of new friends in the process. Thanks to all who donated plants, etc. for the sale and to all who helped make the event happen. We’re looking forward to a great gardening season.

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“When I first moved here, all I had was the clothes on my back, I was on the wrong road to recovery, and I had no contact with my family or friends. My life was out of control and I only had 2 friends and they were alcohol and drugs.

With all the help, support, and a lot of time from Green Wood Coalition, I was able to change some of my bad habits and started to think about some things. They help with just about anything, housing, food, appointments, dinner every Wednesday, and that’s just a start.

They accepted me for me, not what I was or what they wanted me to be. I am now a full person instead of an empty shell. They helped me a lot and now it’s time for me to help others in any way I can.”

-Note from a Green Wood Community member

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At the suggestion of some folks in our community, we organized a Green Wood Coalition team for the Cobourg-Port Hope MS Walk. That’s 5 or 10 km fundraising walk through Cobourg. Everyone has their own reasons for getting involved in something like this, and for some of our group that reason was Cathy, a member of our community who lives with MS. Our team of 13 people exceeded our goal and raised $700 for the cause. Congratulations to the walkers and the donors.

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This week’s Port Hope Civic Awards, held at the Cameco Capitol Theatre was an evening of much celebrating for the Green Wood Coalition community. Not only did GWC volunteers receive recognition for their contribution to the Port Hope community, but also, one of our Green Wood action heroes, Jeannie Irving was named the Outstanding Citizen of the Year. A life-long resident of Port Hope, Jeannie has poured herself into the lives of so many people through her acts of compassion and caring over the years. These days you’ll find Jeannie looking after the personal needs of the GWC community and organizing our weekly dinner. Congratulations, Jeannie, we’re extremely proud of you and delighted to have you on our team.

In this video clip, Mayor Linda Thompson pays tribute to Jeannie’s outstanding contribution:

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A day trip that included the Art Gallery of Peterborough and a printing session at Jackson Creek Press. Jeff Macklin guided the Green Wood Creative Arts Group through printing their lino cut blocks on his antique letterpress. Check out some of the photos:

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Via Northumberland News, we’re thanking the community of Port Hope for a locally-made, good news story:

To the editor:

I would like to express great appreciation to the people of Port Hope who have supported Green Wood Coalition, in so many ways, over the past five years. Together we’re finding solutions to the challenges faced by folks living with the effects of poverty in Port Hope and the surrounding area.

Since the building that had housed our office and meeting space was sold recently, we are actively seeking a new physical location and feel thankful for the good people that make up the coalition. Week by week, more than 100 volunteers are involved with providing food, transportation, access to housing and health care, creative activities, and friendship to members of our community who are at risk of falling through the cracks.

Even in a friendly, small town like Port Hope, there are people who go hungry and have no place to live. Those with suitable housing often spend 80 per cent or more of their monthly resources on rent. While poverty can be defined as a lack of food, money or housing, it also includes fear, shame, isolation and hopelessness.

The free, home-style, community dinner, offered each Wednesday at the former St. Mary’s School is made possible by members of Port Hope’s churches: St. John’s Anglican, St. Mark’s Anglican, St. Paul’s Presbyterian, First Baptist, Bethesda United, Calvary Pentecostal, Christ the Servant Catholic, Port Hope United, and Grace Church. These weekly meals (typically attended by 70 people), shared shoulder-to-shoulder, have become the key to building community and creative problem solving.

In addition to these dedicated individuals, our work in the community wouldn’t be possible without the help of Northumberland United Way, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Port Hope Community Health Centre, and local Rotary Clubs.

The story of Green Wood Coalition is a good news story that demonstrates how the town of Port Hope lives up to its name.

David Sheffield

Community Outreach Worker

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“It is only when we stand up, with all our failings and sufferings, and try to support others rather than withdraw into ourselves, that we can fully live the life of community.”
― Jean Vanier

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Our friend, Doug Woods, was joined by Barbara Russell to lead today’s lunchtime workshop at the Green Wood meeting space. It’s not surprising that a conversation billed as ‘an open forum on God topics’ would range from Armageddon to strawberries. The dozen or so participants who broke bread today are eager to meet again and continue the conversation. Thanks, Doug and Barbara.

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blessingmanifesting.com

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