The New Day Drop-In Centre at Knox, Georgetown, Ont., was launched at a January annual meeting when in light of Canada’s economic downturn, session agreed to discuss what it could do to “meet the spiritual and relationship needs of the unemployed in the Georgetown area.”
While there are many government-funded agencies in our community, the co-founders felt that compassion was a missing ingredient. Our response was to create a welcoming, understanding environment where visitors can receive encouragement and interview advice, assistance with action plans to get a job, and direction to the proper agencies.
Of specific interest to us are the recently unemployed who are devastated, angry, totally lost, doubting their self worth and fearing further rejection.
Sandy Ellis, who formerly directed a homeless shelter program, visited local agencies to understand what each one did and to encourage them to send participants to New Day.
A local management consultant was invited to describe the employment environment and how to help job seekers create effective search plans. Ernie Dyck, a local Christian evangelist, gave the volunteers practical instruction for introducing people to the Lord if the opportunity arose.
Our first step was a six-week pilot program where we invited our volunteers, who are familiar with interviewing, hiring and downsizing, to familiarize themselves with their roles, and encouraged congregation members to drop by and discuss the program.
With the enthusiastic support of the congregation, within four weeks we declared the pilot program a success, installed the New Day sign on the church lawn and opened for business.
“It never ceases to amaze us how easily our visitors assimilate with our volunteer group,” Sandy mentioned. “While we often don’t know the outcome of our discussions and support, we do know that some have gone through remarkable transitions.”
We encourage other churches to establish drop-in centres. Helping just one person can make a big difference in his or her life and perhaps in your community. Our churches can indeed make a difference.
