Green Wood Coalition
  • Home
  • Contact
  • About
    • Making a Difference Series
    • What We Do
    • Annual Report
    • Mission and Values
    • History
    • Videos
    • Photos
    • Media
    • Board of Directors
  • Get Involved
    • Member Opportunities
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Summer Employment
  • NEWSLETTER
  • IMAGINATE 2019
  • Donate
    • Our Supporters
GREEN WOOD COALITION
​
is a radically inclusive, street-level organization
that uses a community model of caring to walk alongside people
who are hungry, homeless and hurting in Northumberland County, Ontario
Donate Now

Green Wood Coalition is supported by
​Generous Donors, Northumberland United Way, and the Municipality of Port Hope
Registered Canadian Charity: 835935263RR0001

Greg Paul: Redefining Community

7/5/2014

 
Picture
Recently, a message of hope was brought to Port Hope, at an evening hosted by Green Wood Coalition, at St. Mark’s Parish Hall.  Greg Paul, a founder of the Sanctuary community in Toronto, spoke about building a place where street involved folks can find safety, dignity, joy, family, and an opportunity to give back to society. 

From its beginnings as a few musicians chatting with street people, Sanctuary grew to its current community of around 600, with a staff of 18 who are dedicated to building a foundation in those whose lives have been decimated by misfortune.  A drop-in for those who live in the street, in shelters or other temporary and precarious arrangements creates a place where folks can gather, share meals, make art, work, and feel at home.   

The most powerful and hopeful theme that recurred throughout Greg’s presentation, was that people who have a lot, need people who don’t have a lot, just as much as those who don’t have, need those who do.

When one participant remarked to Greg, “You are a very special person, to do this work," Greg countered that we are all made for this relationship building, connecting with our neighbours, and caring for each other.  He relayed how important it is for stakeholders to come and be served by the street involved people, to visit and get to know some of the individuals who are part of the community at the drop-in. 

Remarkably, Sanctuary is largely funded by private donation.  This allows the organization to operate without the usual slavish dependence on grant formulas that become narrowly driven number goals.  When asked “What does success mean to your organization?”, Greg responded that the goals are measured by the stories of individuals who have found some healthy connection to others in their lives, relationships that allow them to receive and express care, and proficiency in areas such as art-making, cooking, organizing and assisting with day-to-day operations.

Green Wood Coalition is striving to build that kind of community here in Port Hope, and the efforts of a group of local people from very different walks of life is growing, as the hope spreads. 

-Heather Roy, Port Hope


Comments are closed.

    Archives

    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

    Author

    Categories

    All
    Art
    Cobourg
    Community
    Food
    Fundraising
    Garden
    Healthcare
    Housing
    IMAGINATE
    Johnny Cash
    Media
    Music
    Partners
    Port Hope

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Contact
  • About
    • Making a Difference Series
    • What We Do
    • Annual Report
    • Mission and Values
    • History
    • Videos
    • Photos
    • Media
    • Board of Directors
  • Get Involved
    • Member Opportunities
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Summer Employment
  • NEWSLETTER
  • IMAGINATE 2019
  • Donate
    • Our Supporters