To Outreach or Not To Outreach

There are a lot of people who want to outreach to their community but never actually do anything about it.   These good-intentioned people often become overwhelmed with a passion to help “someone, somewhere” but cannot come to terms with general work, family and even church distractions to find the time to “make a difference”  within the community itself.  Many end up doing nothing because they are waiting for some kind of burning bush experience that will definitively tell them the direction they are to go in.  They become so focussed on making a mistake in God’s calling they end up doing nothing at all.   Others hold back from doing anything because they want to be sure that the project or mission they choose is where they are the most needed and will also reap major fulfilment benefits.  After all, if we’re going to make the time in our lives to answer the call, we at least want to get something out of it.

When I was a little girl in kindergarten, back in the days when we walked home from school alone (the sixties), I experienced a beautiful illustration of what my opinion is, in all of this.
It was January (or it could have been December) there was a fresh snow fall and little puddles along the side of the road, slightly snow covered.  I had a stick in my hand and was gleefully throwing it and then running to pick it up, sort of a human fetch experience that only six year olds can truly appreciate.  Until (cue in foreboding music) I threw the stick onto what I thought was a puddle but actually turned out to be an unmarked water-filled hole, dug by construction workers at the side of the road.  Of course, when I went to retrieve my stick, I fell in.  And of course, I could not get out.  I was literally up to my neck in freezing cold, January water with no help in sight.  So, I cried and I cried and I cried.  One car stopped.  My crying stopped and I was suddenly filled with hope that I would be rescued after all.  But, even though the driver began to get out to help, something made her stop.  She took a look at her watch, turned back to the car, without me, and then took off.  After that, other drivers came and went.  Some looked down at me and others chose to ignore me.  We’d all like to think the neighbours came running.  Nope.  And that was back in the day when all the moms were still at home.  And then an angel from heaven (no not really but she might as well have been one) a fine, kind,sacrificial lady came running up from a house down the road (my next door neighbour actually) and not concerned in the least about how wet she was going to get, dragged me out of the water.  Not only that, she took me to her house, gave me some warm clothes to change into and a warm blanket to wrap myself in, some delicious hot chocolate that removed all my tears, and called my mother. 

I’m sure I dripped water all over her house and I’m sure I disturbed her nice afternoon.  But she saw a need and she got involved.  She didn’t pray about it for a month to make sure that it was her calling (like the first lady who drove off) but she let herself get wet, let herself get uncomfortable, adapted her schedule to meet the need, and did it anyway.  There was no benefit for her in the least.  All the benefits were mine.  First of all, I was one very grateful little girl who thought she might stay in that puddle FOREVER.  Secondly,  this one little act of kindness that I’m sure she’s long forgotten, is still remembered by me to this day.

Still wondering where to get involved?  Henry Blackaby (he wrote Experiencing God) came up with a concept so wonderful, that when I heard about it 15 years ago,  it changed my life forever.  This concept explains why I do what I do and live where I live. It’s actually so simple that when I heard it, I realized I had been tripping over it for years.  He suggested that we look around and see what needs there are in our midst (neighbourhoods, churches, workplaces)that are not being met and then answer them.  He also suggested that we carefully observe what God is already doing through others to meet those needs and get involved in that.   Your church is filling up with missionaries?  God is calling the church into greater missions focus.  There’s a neighbourhood outreach down the street?  God wants YOU to get involved.  There’s a little girl standing neck deep in a giant puddle?   YOU pull her out.

Yes, it is that simple.

…And ONE for all

Volunteer Admin Assistant

This volunteer position is for a commitment of at least one year, approximately 10 to 15 hours per week to assist in the efficient day-to-day operation of City Kidz Ottawa and support the work of the Branch Manager. This position will give the recent graduate an opportunity to learn general office procedures and will give them insight into the non-profit/ voluntary sector as a career choice.

Responsibilities

• Use Word Office 10 software to prepare reports, memos,  documents and presentations
• Prepare Powerpoint Presentations for Saturday Playhouse
• Answering phone, dealing with general public
•  Pick up mail for distribution
•  Prepare and send outgoing mail, and courier parcels
•  Respond to general e-mails and direct priority emails to Branch Manager
•  Voice mail management
•  Purchase, receive and store the office supplies ensuring that basic supplies are always available
•  Filing
•  Provide secretarial and administrative support to Branch Manager
•  Make travel, meeting and other arrangements for staff
•  Assist with volunteer management
•  Updating social media from time to time
•  Administer petty cash according to established procedures

Provide Special Event Support

• Attend the Saturday Playhouse and other events from time to time to perform administrative functions as required by the Branch Manager

Provide Board support

• With the Branch Manager, prepare meeting agendas and supporting material for distribution
• Ensure the timely distribution of material to the Board
• Attend Board meetings (once a month) to take notes
• Draft minutes of Board meetings for review by the Branch Manager
• Create action list for management staff from board meetings

Qualifications

• High School Diploma
• Post secondary education in business, computers, or office management is an asset
• Proficiency in the use of computer programs for: Word 10, Excel Spreadsheets, Powerpoint presentations, Bookkeeping,E-mail, Internet
• Proficiency in the use of office equipment: Computer, Voice messaging systems, Printer/Scanner/Photocopier

Personal characteristics

• Demonstrate the following:
• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behaviour and business practices and ensure own behaviour is consistent with these standards and align with the values of City Kidz Ottawa
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others both internally and externally to achieve the goals of City Kidz Ottawa.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Focus on Stakeholder Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders to meet or exceed their expectations within the City Kidz Ottawa parameters.
• Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization.
• Organization: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details/data/information/activities.
• Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.

Experience

• 1-3 years experience in an office setting
• Or a recent Office Administration Graduate with professional references

Working Conditions

• Home office environment
• 10 – 15 hours per week over 2 days per week
• Monthly attendance at evening board meetings
• Attendance at special events as required (some evening and weekends)
• Reimbursement for mileage when conducting City Kidz Ottawa business (ie picking up mail)

Respond To:

Send your resume by email or mail to:

532 Montreal Rd., #220 Ottawa, ON K1K 4R4

613-796-3063

wendy@citykidz.ca

...And ONE for all

Volunteer Event Coordinator Still Needed

EVENT COORDINATOR

Do you like to plan events and fundraising?  We are looking for an experienced and creative fundraiser and event planner who believes in and and will be committed to putting in approximately 5 to 10 volunteer hours per week in support of our cause. Find out more about our organization that helps to break the poverty cycle in children at www.citykidz.ca/ottawa.

The Event Coordinator will be responsible for assisting the Branch Manager in designing, coordinating and implementing fundraising events to help raise money for City Kidz Ottawa. Our organization is particularly looking for the ideal candidate who will enjoy working with people, have good decision making skills and creative ideas for fundraising with the capability to multitask. To be considered for this position please reply to ottawa@citykidz.ca with a resume and two references.

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Musings on David & Goliath

I was at our board meeting last night and we got into a discussion about a book that I’m reading, “David & Goliath” by Malcom Gladwell.   One insight gleaned from this discussion was the analogy that a child can be seen as David and Poverty, Goliath.

According to Gladwell, however, wealth may not necessarily be the answer to happiness either and there seems to be an optimal level of wealth before happiness wanes. He illustrates this by examining the effects of academic achievement based on classroom size. The question of is “smaller better” (as most people would say it is) in classroom sizes, provides a surprising response. In fact, a smaller classroom size may not always have an advantage of a larger one. After offering up some proofs he suggests that academic achievement in smaller class sizes wanes to the same level as its opposite, and uses the inverted U-graph to illustrate.  His point is that in classroom sizes, the optimum level for academic achievement seems to be somewhere in the middle for class size.

Eg.

Gladwell also discusses the question of whether wealth does make one happy.  His conclusions are that the results are similar to the foregoing because happiness tends to wane after a family income level of $75,000 is reached.   As soon as the income level surpasses this amount, the curve actually begins to fall. Great wealth does not create happiness; in fact, it can make things worse if it is not handled properly. According to Gladwell, great wealth requires that values about money and how it is spent (not always giving your child money when their hand is out and/or not living decadently) be properly taught a wealthy child to create an environment where that child can grow to be an adult that thrives. Interesting!

But to the lower income individual, Gladwell states that wealth can also be seen as a giant that can never be overcome. For the low income child the impossibility of ever having that amount of money can be seen as Goliath as well. 

At City Kidz, we help a child to believe that it is possible to achieve a better income level and hopefully have a better lifestyle even though it seems like an impossible task for them to aspire to. However, we are NOT about helping a child to achieve great wealth. That is not the City Kidz message. Instead, it’s about providing lessons of faith, hope and love to a child so they become resilient. At City Kidz we teach these values and hope that they will bring them with them to adulthood.  This will enhance their life whether they are rich, middle class or even living happily in a lower income lifestyle.

City Kidz is in a child’s life to build him or her up, increase their resiliency and give them the tools to live a happy life. Achieving and thriving does not always mean having a larger income. It means becoming resilient and living the best life possible even in adverse circumstances. In this case, while our target are children living in a low income household, our message is for every child in every demographic.  All children will benefit from lessons and values taught at City Kidz and have a good chance of becoming thriving adults, whether they are rich or poor.  It’s values that enhance a child’s life, not money.

And ONE for all…

The Invitation

When I reflect on our early days in Ottawa, I am always reminded that it all began with a simple “yes” from me. When one thinks about it, this is how God works in all things. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” (Matt. 4:19) When He has a plan to do something---like reaching some marginalized children in a city through City Kidz---He invites us into it.

Thankfully, for me, I accepted the assignment. That`s when I realized that City Kidz Ottawa was just a miracle waiting to happen---I discovered the invitation did not stop with me. God had already been inviting others and when I told them about what I was doing, they too, excitedly, said yes. Like ever-expanding ripples across water when an object is dropped into it, the invitation to take part in something like City Kidz Ottawa was going out and had been going out for a long time before, even, I arrived on the scene.

Since then, the circle of supporters has grown consistently and we can proudly look back over the years and see that together, we have been able to impact well over 150 children with God’s love. God invited me to start this important work in 2010 and I had the audacity to accept. Since then many others have also said yes. A never ending call, the invitation continues to beckon others to join the effort.

When you get your invite, what will your response be? We always have two options: we can say yes, or, we can say no. If we do say no, that’s okay, God simply moves on. However, for those of us who have said, and will say, yes to this amazing invitation, no matter how small, we can delight in the knowledge that we have joined a miracle in the making called City Kidz Ottawa. We can rejoice because God is using us to become an integral part of His loving intervention in the lives of Ottawa’s kids----and their amazing response to that love. We can celebrate, because we are helping God to impact Ottawa’s children to transform this city, one child at a time. God’s way. Because, after all, it is His invite, isn’t it?

And ONE for all…

Safe and Sound

The Saturday before last week’s Dream Banquet one of our girls came to me and asked if it would be all right if she and two other girls could sing a song for Remembrance Day at our next Playhouse, which was yesterday.  When I asked her what she wanted to sing, she said Safe and Sound.  I had not heard of this song and drawing on my own life experiences, assumed it would be a nice “children’s song” that she learned at school.  Wanting to encourage her, and feeling deep down that this would be a profound moment, I agreed.

When it came time for her to sing yesterday she and another friend (the original two were away for the weekend) came forward to sing.  This was no “children’s song” however, but, in fact a Taylor Swift song and the lyrics were powerfully moving.  Every rambunctious, excited-to-be-at-the-Playhouse child, was spellbound by the richness of their voices and erupted in enthusiastic applause when it was over.  As for me, I was, as some would say, “toast” and it was a little hard to hold it together to prevent creating a giant puddle of tears right there on the stage with them. However, seeing this as a wonderful teaching moment to reinforce the week’s theme of “helping others”, I drew on the fact that soldiers helped us by going away to other countries to protect our freedom and that some even died in wars.  I suggested that even though it wasn’t officially Remembrance Day we would have a two minutes of silence in honour of the soldiers who had fought for our freedom.  What followed amazed me.

Every normally excited child from the youngest six year old, to the oldest junior leader, stood still with heads bowed and kept respectful silence, for the entire two minutes.  Impressive and definitely indicative to all who were present that there is so much more going on in those hearts of theirs.  These children, although perhaps not grasping the full meaning of what they were doing were able intuitively to understand the seriousness of the moment and showed an enormous respect for those who had fought for their freedom.

I can only speculate as to why they did this.  The Taylor Swift song has a haunting yet hopeful lyric that despite the war outside the window you are still “safe and sound”.  The fact that many of our kids come from refugee families from war torn African countries and others come from families fighting their own battles forced onto them by poverty, my thoughts turn toward the possibility that these children are soldiers fighting in their own little war.  The reason that they stood in such silence and were able to sustain it, is because they can relate. 

The 2012 City Kidz Dream Banquet and Silent Auction was a success. We sold out, the Centurion Banquet Centre menu was excellent and keynote Yasir Naqvi MPP for Ottawa Centre and EMCEE Richard Long of Love Ottawa were eloquent.  We raised over $4,000 from the generosity of all the people present.  It was a big event and quite positively impacting for me, in the end. 

But, as big a moment as that event was for me, I had my biggest moment yesterday at Saturday’s Playhouse, as I was reminded as to why I started a branch of City Kidz in Ottawa and why we need the money to keep our program going:  It’s about the kids.  It’s about putting a smile on those battle weary faces; telling them we love them, that God loves them, that we believe they can achieve their greatest dream.  It’s about being to them that someone who they can lean on when their battles are raging on. 

And for those of our investors who have donated either their time, or large sums of money, or silent auction gifts so we could keep this program present in the lives of these children, you are as much a part of keeping their dreams alive as those of us on the frontlines are.  You can go ahead and feel REALLY GOOD about what you have done.  Because, in the end, it’s all about all of us who are concerned for their welfare singing to them, along with Taylor Swift, the lyric to her beautiful song Safe and Sound:

Don't you dare look out your window, darling,
Everything's on fire
The war outside our door keeps raging on
Hold on to this lullaby
Even when the music's gone

Just close your eyes
The sun is going down
You'll be alright
No one can hurt you now
Come morning light
You and I'll be safe and sound

 

Good on  you!!

…And ONE for all!!

Just Thinking

I’ve been noticing in media lately, that there has been a lot of emphasis on achieving our dreams.  I’ve also noticed greater numbers of young people holding out for their dream job before taking a mundane job; and people who have found themselves unemployed for the first time in their lives, discovering their “dream career” after being forced  into finding more creative ways to make a buck. 

It’s not bad at all to have gifts and talents that we want to utilize to receive greater fulfillment in life.  I know my grandfather who raised seven children during the Great Depression may take a different view, but I do agree with today’s philosophy to encourage greater fulfillment in our career.  Perhaps not so extremely as to say we pass up the jobs that keep our family fed while waiting for that dream career to emerge; but, I am a firm believer that if we are using our God-given gifts in our area of work, we’re going to be happier in life, overall.

But is that enough?

I saw two quotes recently from Matthew Barnett of the LA Dream Centre, who said, People that dream for their own personal success dream from their inner poverty and When you dream for others, you can dream forever.  

What I think Matthew is saying is, it’s not bad to dream for ourselves, but when we do, we are creating dreams that come from a place of self-fulfillment and gratification that many times are birthed out of past hurts and pride. This is the inner poverty that Matthew is speaking of. This may bring satisfaction for a period of time because we are using our God-given gifts, but in the end it too will soon feel mundane, leaving a longing deep within us to really feel personally fulfilled.   His thinking is, that the greatest personal fulfillment in life comes when we look outside of ourselves and our own personal needs and dream instead to transform the world into a better place. This will feel contradictory to some, because it’s hard to jive the sense that personal fulfillment comes through not thinking about our needs.  I know, however, that Matthew Barnett speaks from experience as the head of a place that is in the business of dreaming dreams that improve the culture around them.

I agree. Personal fulfillment can only be achieved when we take the focus from ourselves and onto how we can dream dreams that will transform our family, our neighbourhood, our city and even our nation into a better place.  When we achieve this level of higher dreaming for the greater good and then actually apply them (application is essential) we will notice our dreams multiplying and with it our sense of fulfillment.  In other words, we will dream forever --- as Matthew says.

What are your dreams today?

…And ONE for all!!