Social Justice & Outreach
The Social Justice and Outreach group was founded on the concept of social justice (fair treatment for all) in addressing current issues in our local community and in the world at large. Also, through the United Church Mission and Service fund, SSUC members support projects throughout Canada and around the world.
Learn about some of our recent activities here.
Assisting Children and Families in Kingston
Helen Tufts Mentorship Program
The Helen Tufts Friendship (Tutorial) Program offers friendship and stimulus to 50 disadvantaged children aged 6 - 12 years-old through weekly one on one contact with Queen's students. This program is organized by a member of the congregation with the help of two volunteer phoners and four volunteer drivers. Read more ...
Food Voucher Program
A dedicated team of counselors meets and interviews visitors who come for support and food vouchers on Tuesday mornings. Over 50 recipients are on our regular list but increasingly we are faced with emergency one-time requests. The food vouchers are financed through the congregation's dedicated offerings to the Benevolent Fund.
Helen Tufts Nursery School
SSUC provides an annual grant to Helen Tufts Nursery School. The school provides early learning activities for children from disadvantaged families through the joint support of First Baptist and Sydenham Street congregations. SSUC offers continuing support through its two members on management board of the school
Christmas Baskets
We raise funds and supplies, sort, package, and deliver 50 Christmas baskets to families allocated to us by the Salvation Army.
Occasional Grants
We also make occasional grants to community causes such as back-packs for children returning to school, the printing of the Social Audit report, the Ryandale Shelter for the Homeless, and the restorative justice program in the Boys and Girls Club
Frontenac School Christmas Meal
We contribute funds to Frontenac elementary school located in a non-wealthy part of Kingston so they may enjoy a Christmas turkey dinner.
Assisting in the World-wide Work of the Church
The Mission and Service Fund of the United Church of Canada
Individual donations to the M & S fund allocated by members of the congregation are forwarded to the M&S fund each month. Our target for 2011 is $48,000. Click on the logo to find out more about the work of the United Church’s Mission and Service Fund.
Working with Others to Promote Social Justice at Home and Abroad
Participation in Anti-poverty and Health Oriented Groups
Members of the committee liaise and work with other groups including: Kingston Immigrant Partnership; Social Interest Network Group; Food Providers Network Group; The Harvest Committee; Kingston Community Health Centres, Grow a Row; the Sisters of Providence; Loving Spoonful; and the Kingston Faith and Justice Coalition.
Support and Advocacy for Social Justice
We encourage others` use of our building for outreach and social justice causes such as the Save the Prison Farms Concert; cooking classes in partnership with the Health Unit; AA meetings and interviews for Kingston’s Social Audit. We ask governments to reduce the inequalities experienced by those in poverty. We identify and invite special Sunday speakers to increase awareness of Outreach and Social Justice issues.