A Huge Sigh of Relief

As you are aware by now, City Kidz Ottawa is a new branch of the larger ministry called City Kidz which has been impacting Hamilton children for over 15 years. Each week dedicated volunteers in Hamilton go out to visit the children on their City Kidz routes. Year round, they have kids running up to say “Hi”, parents calling to their children “It’s City Kidz!!” Always there is a tone of excitement. When they visit the kids who live in a townhouse complex, there will often be kids running up to them, walking with them, wanting to carry the flyers, the clip board – even the pen! During the summer, there is an additional question, how many weeks until City Kidz?

I know this will hold true for Ottawa in years to come thanks to our supporters. The City Kidz Ottawa team and I were out just the other day handing out flyers for our grand opening on October 2^nd at the Hardini Centre in Vanier. It wasn’t raining that day and there were LOTS of kids out so we had a chance to tell them about what was coming to the area. I wish you could have heard the excitement in the voices of the children as they asked about City Kidz and discovered it was a fun program just for them, that was free. One little boy, turning seven this Saturday, was quite concerned that he’d miss it because it was his birthday party. We assured him that it wasn’t starting until October 2^nd and he breathed a huge sigh of relief.

After several months of hard work and prayer City Kidz is really going to be a reality in Ottawa.  The City Kidz Ottawa Playhouse Theatre will officially open our doors on October 2nd reaching Ottawa children, impacting their lives and transforming our community….one child at a time!

…And ONE for all!

No Job Too Big

I haven’t added much lately because I’ve been consumed with getting everything ready to start us up.  I now have a team of three incredible leaders who will be involved in the Saturday Program and Home Visits and have a heart for children.  I also have one very dedicated volunteer who’s planning the fundraiser dinner to be held in the fall.  Not to mention my team of advisors who have been doing a great job advising all summer :) There’s a lot to do!  I am in constant contact with Todd Bender and I’ve been meeting with the stakeholders in Vanier.  I’ve also been speaking with some of the local churches.  I have not had one negative response!  And the good news is, based on the opinions I’ve been getting from local community leaders, we need to start planning more buses now!   

If you are wondering how such a small team is going to pull off such a huge venture, don’t underestimate the people power effect.  We have been accomplishing a lot believe it or not.  But the reality is, we can only go so far and will eventually level off to sustain a small group of children. Right now we only have enough people and budget to sustain one busload of children every other Saturday.

City Kidz’ vision, however, is to reach every child in this city and to make this happen we’re going to need your help.  We’re still in need of volunteers to help run the Saturday program, home visits, administration and fundraising.   Whether you choose a  a short term or long term volunteer commitment --- we can’t do this alone!   City Kidz is a grass roots organization --- it’s growing from the heart of the people who love Ottawa’s children  and want to see them reached.  I know there’s more of us who can and want to help.  I know that we will eventually be able to see this dream to reach every child come true.  I’ve seen what can happen in Hamilton.  I am a believer!

You could say it’s been a pretty busy summer, but it’s all worth it.  All of us at City Kidz Ottawa are determined to see this dream become a reality in Ottawa.    Will you help?

…And ONE for all!