Greetings / Meilleurs voeux

(le français suit) 

Dear Friends,

Best wishes for the Christmas and holiday season and throughout the New Year.

On behalf of the Montreal City Mission team, and the people we serve, I would like to thank each and every one of you for your support and encouragement.  In our current period of transition, you are helping us lay the foundation for a new century of exciting and innovative mission work. 

Recent events in the States, as well as conflict and natural disasters throughout the world, are sad reminders of the suffering so many must endure. But amidst that suffering, the everyday gestures of compassion by men, women and children shine a light in the darkest corner.

We look forward to the New Year with confidence that the MCM community will continue to grow in numbers and in compassion as we work together for a better world.

In peace and in love,

Paula Kline      

Director

Chers Amis

Nous vous offrons nos meilleurs voeux pour Noël et le temps des Fêtes.  De la part de l’équipe de la Mission communautaire de Montréal, et des individus que nous desservons, je vous remercie du fond du cœur pour votre soutien. Ce soutien d’une valeur inestimable, nous accompagne en cette période actuelle de transition, nous permettant de créer la fondation pour un nouveau siècle de travail novateur.

Les évènements récents aux États-Unis, ainsi que les conflits et désastres naturels partout sur notre planète, sont de tristes rappels de la souffrance si répandue. Cependant, il y a  aussi des  gestes quotidiens de compassion pratiqués par les femmes, hommes et enfants qui soulagent cette souffrance, et ravivent l’espoir dans les endroits les plus sombres.

Il nous tarde de commencer la nouvelle année avec vous afin de continuer notre travail et prodiguer des gestes de compassion au service d’un monde meilleur.

Dans la paix et dans l’amour

Paula Kline

Directrice

Photos: Montreal City Mission

Touching Base with Canadian actor and MCM workshop leader Jim Gilbert

Jim in The Tudors with Natalie Dormer who plays Anne Boleyn

Jim - a few years ago, you led a theatre workshop at Montreal City Mission for a group of young people preparing a trip to the Middle East. It was our Stories Without Borders Project. How was the experience for you?

It was a great experience. I'd actually never led a class before so initially I wasn't sure how the group would respond to the exercises, but everyone was really open and game for what I threw at them. It was fun!

Jim with Henry Cavill on the set of The Tudors

What have you been up to since that time?

Well, lots of jobbing actor stuff - tv guest stars, mini series, some feature films. I guess most notably I did a remake of Moby Dick that took me to Malta for 4 months which was really special. I'm writing these days as well, trying to develop a different aspect of my creativity.

In Moby Dick

Most people dream at one point in their life of being actors, but very few have the courage to try it, so what made you take that risk?

I don't know really. It was early on, something I had an instinct and passion for - the only thing that interested me, that I could see myself doing. 

Having supportive parents too. Without them encouraging and facilitating the pursuit of my interests, I wouldn't be where I am.

As hard as it is at times, I still wouldn't trade the life for anything.

All actors, regardless of success, face multiple rejections. How do you deal with that?

Your skin thickens pretty quick, but I don't think you ever get completely used to it. Some roles you feel real love for, and when you don't get them, it can be heartbreaking. But it's the life, and you just hold your head up and move forward -remind yourself that there will be other opportunities.

You have worked with some famous actors: Peter O'Toole, William Hurt, Ethan Hawke. Is it intimidating to work with the big names?

Initially, sure. But you discover almost immediately that they're just like anyone else despite their fame. The same insecurities, vulnerabilities, quirks, day to day stuff that we all have and go through.

Stills from the new TV show Copper

What are your current projects?

Well, right now I've just attached a producer to a script I've written which we'll be developing over the next few months. I also have a feature film called The Conspiracy that just had a great festival run and will be coming out next year. And a series I was in called Copper just finished airing, where I played John Wilkes Booth, so I'm hoping they bring the character back next season to finish the job, so to speak.
I also just appeared in an episode of The Republic of Doyle.

Have you ever thought of working in Quebec?

Actually, I recently auditioned for a role where I had to say a few lines in French. I'd love to work in Montreal - I have great respect for the cutting edge cinema in Quebec. One of my projects right now is brushing up on my French language skills.

Do you think we could get you back to Montreal to do some work with the children at our summer day camp?

Anytime. I'd love to.

Jim with younger brother Stanley *

For Jim's filmography, click here: Jim Gilbert

* For Stanley's Story, click here: Stanley's Story Part 1 & Stanley's Story Part 2

For a French version of this interview: Entrevue avec Jim

Do 1 Thing 2012!

Do 1 Thing!!  And we did! We had a wonderful benefit concert for Project Refuge this past Tuesday, November 6th at the Mile End Cabaret.

Le Cabaret Mile End était plein, l’ambiance était au rendez-vous et l’énergie dans la salle était électrique!

Un très grand merci à Wesli, son band et sa magnifique danseuse/chanteuse.

Thank you as well to all of our friends and supporters who bought tickets, donated, tickets and came out on a chilly November evening en masse to support this noble cause – the cause of our refugee brothers and sisters in need of support and a chance to make their own contribution.

Et il ne faut pas oublier l’équipe du Projet Refuge qui a tout organisé d’une façon très ‘classe’: 

Merci à Sylvain, Julie, Alfredo, Aliette, Grand-père ( !), les résidents du Projet Refuge, les bénévoles et  les stagiaires. Grâce à vous, nos sœurs et frères réfugiés ont une place à la table et l’espoir dans le cœur.

Rendez-vous Do 1 Thing 3 en 2013.  See you there !!!

Photos: Michelle Knight

MCM Presents!

Celina Kilgallen, a third year McGill law student, is currently doing a legal clinic stage at Just Solutions. 

‘Being interested in access to justice issues, I think that the work being done at Just Solutions is critical since it provides immigrants and refugees with much needed support that they might not be able to find anywhere else. Moreover, considering the immense barriers that the clinic’s clients often face, I am also greatly inspired by people’s resilience and resourcefulness.

I am grateful for the rich learning experience that Just Solutions is offering me and I look forward to the months to come.’

Celina Kilgallen

Save / Sauvons Projet Refuge

Le texte français suit.

Project Refuge May Disappear

Without Your Help

Dear friends,

Twenty-two years ago, the first refugee knocked on the door of Montreal City Mission with a request for help. Since that day, we have opened our hearts and our doors to over two thousand refugees seeking protection and a new life. We have witnessed time and time again, how judicious support, at a critical moment, can turn a life around.

As you are no doubt well aware, the climate for refugees and their advocates is becoming extremely difficult: abolition of basic health care last June and a new restrictive refugee claim process taking effect by the end of the year. Despite these challenges, our engagement remains steadfast to provide food, shelter and support, while facilitating integration, for the most vulnerable in our midst.

Project Refuge (PR), our transition residence, currently houses twenty individuals while keeping a waiting list. For many, PR is the only safety net between them and homelessness. The elimination of our government funding in 2011, however, is putting the future of Project Refuge in jeopardy. In 2012, we managed to raise one third of PR's budget, and continue to develop additional sources of funding. The year 2013 will be crucial as we transition to a new structure. If you wish to receive more information about our collective efforts, we would be happy to have a discussion with you.

We know you feel the same compassion that we do for refugees in need of protection and support. If you are a regular MCM donor, we thank you for your commitment, and ask you to consider an extra donation this year to assist us in our transition. If you are not part of our donor community, we would ask you to send us a donation, no matter what the size, to help us keep Project Refuge functioning during this period of reorganization.

Let us work together to sustain Project refuge, and realize our communal goal of compassion, hospitality and justice in our city.

And why not start immediately by purchasing a ticket to our upcoming Do 1 Thing - Le show pour les réfugiés (see poster below).

Tickets range in price from:

Regular  $22.50

Solidarity   $50.

VIP  $100.  (tax receipt)

It's going to be a wonderful evening - come with a group of friends!

Tickets can be reserved by calling: 514-376-2069

Yours in peace,

Paula Kline, Director

Royal Orr, Board Member

P.S. Read our Transmission newsletter with updates on Camp Cosmos, Project Refuge, Equi-net and our new Mobile Legal Clinic for Seniors! Just click here: Transmission 2012

To donate now, use the CanadaHelps.org Donate Now icon on the right side.

Sans votre aide, 

le Projet Refuge pourraît disparaître

Chers amis,

Il y a déjà vingt-deux ans, un premier réfugié frappait à la porte de la Mission communautaire de Montréal pour demander notre aide. Depuis ce jour, nous avons ouvert nos coeurs et nos portes à plus de deux mille réfugiés en quête de protection et d'une vie nouvelle. Au fil des ans, nous avons pu constater qu'un soutien judicieux, au bon moment, peut changer une vie.

Comme vous le savez sûrement, le climat social pour les réfugiés et leurs défenseurs est devenu extrêmement difficile: abolition de l'accès aux soins de santé de base et instauration d'une nouvelle procédure restrictive qui s'applique aux demandes d'asile qui entrera en vigueur à la fin de cette année. Malgré ces défis, notre engagement envers les plus vulnérables demeure le même: fournir de la nourriture, un toit et un soutien tout en facilitant l'intégration.

Le Projet Refuge (PR), notre résidence de transition, accueille actuellement une vingtaine de personnes et gère une liste d'attente. Pour plusieurs, le PR est la seule option autre que l'itinérance. Par contre, la perte de notre financement du gouvernement en 2011 met en péril la survie de Projet Refuge. En 2012, nous avons réussi à trouver du financement pour le 1/3 du budget de PR, et nous continuons de travailler au développement de sources de financement potentielles. L'année 2013 s'avèrera cruciale alors que nous amorcerons une transition vers une nouvelle structure. Si vous désirez en savoir plus sur nos efforts collectifs, nous serons heureux de vous rencontrer pour en discuter.

Nous savons que, tout comme nous, vous êtes sensibles au sort des réfugiés qui ont besoin de protection et de soutien. Si vous êtes déjà un de nos donateurs, nous vous remercions de votre engagement et vous demandons de considérer un don supplémentaire cette année afin de nous aider dans cette transition. Si vous n'êtes pas un de nos donateurs, nous vous demandons un don, peu importe le montant, qui nous aidera à assurer la survie de Projet Refuge.

Travaillons ensemble pour soutenir le Projet Refuge et réaliser notre objectif collectif de compassion, d'hospitalité et de justice dans notre ville.

Et pourquoi ne pas commencer maintenant en achetant un billet pour notre concert bénéfice, Do 1 Thing - Le show pour les réfugiés .

Différentes catégories de billets sont disponibles:
Régulier  $22.50
Solidarité   $50.
VIP  $100.  (avec reçu pour fins d'impôts)

Ce sera une très belle soirée -venez avec un groupe d'amis!
Vous pouvez réserver des billets en téléphonant au: 514-376-2069

Dans la paix,

Paula Kline, directrice

Royal Orr, membre du conseil d'administration

P.S. Lisez notre bulletin Transmission qui contient des mise-à-jours sur les activités du Camp Cosmos, du Projet Refuge, d'Equi-net et de notre nouvelle Clinique légale mobile pour aînés! 

Cliquez ici: Transmission 2012

Pour faire un don maintenant, utilisez l'icone de CanadaHelps.org dans la colonne à droite.

The Christie Community Bike Ride

Students at the McGill Faculty of Law organized the 4th annual Christie Community Bike Ride (CCBR) to raise funds for the Just Solutions Clinic, the only clinic of its kind in Quebec offering legal information and assistance to the refugee population. 

The CCBR was founded at McGill Law in 2009. This fourth bike ride, slowly becoming a tradition at McGill, honours Dugald Christie, a Vancouver lawyer who offered legal services to low-income people and set up several pro-bono clinics across western Canada. He charged extremely low fees and challenged the courts on legal aid regulations that impaired the ability of poor people to have access to legal representation. In 2006 Christie began biking across Canada to raise awareness about the inadequacies of legal assistance programs in Canada. Tragically, four months into his campaign, he was struck and killed by a van.

As such, every year, McGill Law gets together to fundraise for a local legal clinic and takes up the challenge to bike 50km in and around Montreal, all the while fostering a sense of community within the McGill Law community and putting the theme of access to justice front and centre at the beginning of the year. 

Daniel Jutras, the McGill Law Dean, as well as Rick Goldman, the supervising lawyer at Just Solutions, kicked off the morning with great speeches and although shy, the sun was out to warm the bikers during a rather autumnal day!

This year, the Ride had around 60 participants who were able to raise just above $4,200. For more information and photos, visit: http://christieride.wordpress.com/. 

The organizers: Leslie, Alain, Olga and Myriam

* A special thanks to Thomas Chalmers, from the McGill Student Affairs office, who was able to raise over $1,500! 

Text: Leslie Ning
Photos: Marie-Laure Tapp

MCM Presents!

After three years abroad working with migrants and asylum seekers, it is such a pleasure to have joined MCM and have the opportunity to continue this meaningful and inspiring work with newcomers in my very own city!

Developing the Equi-Net project, which facilitates access to the labor market for refugees, has certainly been a learning process for me; business plans, financial forecasting, labor laws, contracts, managing a janitorial and maintenance business! Nevertheless, it has been such a fruitful journey that I’ve shared with the former residents of Project Refuge who have received their first employment opportunity in Canada with Equi-Net. Together with them, I have learnt so much about the challenges that one faces integrating into a society and work
environment very different from one’s own.

MCM has been an inviting and refreshing community for me to join, and I only hope to help in our work to ensure that newcomers feel that same warm and welcome when they arrive in Canada.

Chris Mariano

Le show pour les réfugiés

À vos agendas!

La 2e édition du Show pour les réfugiés - Do 1 Thing 2012 aura lieu au Cabaret du Mile End le 6 novembre. Réservez vos billets dès maintenant en téléphonant au 514-376-2069.

Wesli, meilleur vendeur de  World music, vous amènera dans son univers. 

Une soirée à ne pas manquer. 

Wesli, photo de Josué Bertolino

Spécial pour les abonnés du blogue, du 30 août au 6 septembre: vous payez 20$ du billet plutôt que $22.50 (achat par téléphone seulement 514-376-2069)

Mentionnez que vous êtes un abonné du blogue.

Limite de 6 billets par personnes.

Do 1 Thing 2012

Un atelier de menuiserie à PR

Samedi dernier avait lieu le premier atelier de menuiserie au Projet Refuge. 

Grâce à la généreuse contribution de la Fondation Erskine and American, nos résidents ont pu bénéficier du savoir-faire de Bence, un ancien résident et menuisier. Bence leur a offert une journée de formation sur l'art du bois. 

Les tables réalisées ce jour-là serviront à agrémenter les chambres du Projet Refuge. 

Photos: MCM

Le PR se refait une beauté

Grace au soutien financier de la Fondation Jacques Francoeur, le Projet Refuge a grandement amélioré la qualité de vie de ses résidents. Les tout nouveaux meubles ont été fabriqués par l'entreprise Le Boulot Vers..., une entreprise d'insertion sociale et professionnelle de jeunes en difficultés, dont une majorité sont issus de l'immigration. 

Merci à la Fondation Jacques Francoeur.

Tous nos remerciements également à la Fondation Erskine & American de l'Église Unie du Canada pour leur contribution à ce projet.

Camp Cosmos 2012!

What a wonderful summer again at Camp Cosmos thanks to director Vanessa Fernando and assistant director Eric Boodman. The camp welcomed 40 kids, including 10 with special needs. 

Everyone is invited to the talent show this coming Thursday, August 9th, from 1:00 to 2:00. Where? Christ Church Cathedral, 1444 Union, near de Maisonneuve West, on the 2nd floor.

Vanessa Fernando

Eric Boodman

Fees at Camp Cosmos are minimal and even waived for those families who cannot afford any cost. So we rely on our faithful donors to create summer magic along with opportunities for sports, gardening, a mini workshop on human rights for kids and so much more. 

 If you would like to support the kids at Camp Cosmos, you can make a donation by clicking here: Camp Cosmos via Canada Helps

 Photos: Montreal City Mission / Camp Cosmos

Paula's Pick!

If you're looking for some great summer reading, I highly recommend Newfoundland author - Trudy J. Morgan-Cole.

I thoroughly enjoyed: 

By the Rivers of Brooklyn and That Forgetful Shore

....compelling stories that evoke the dreams, the joys and the heartbreaks of those who emigrated and those who did not. Bonne lecture!

Images: By the Rivers of Brooklyn & That Forgetful Shore, published by Breakwater Books Ltd

Our Thanks to Cedar Park United Church

In an effort to build a greater understanding about work done by its social justice partners, Cedar Park United Chuch initiated the 12 Months of 2012 Project based on Matthew 25:35.

Siamak (Iran), Hussein (Irak), residents of Projet Refuge, and Elizabeth Chown Lafreniere

Each month, a different programme is featured and Cedar Parkers and friends are invited to donate money and shop for specific items. "The response has been amazing," said Elizabeth Chown Lafreniere, who proposed the project. "Our seniors on fixed incomes are proudly buying a toothbrush or bar of soap each week, our young families are teaching their children that we can help others every month, not just in December, and we are holding our social justice partners in our prayers." 

May was Montreal City Mission month for Projet Refuge. June's focus is Camp Cosmos.
Merci beaucoup Cedar Park!

Photos: MCM / Julie Potvin

Denying health care to refugees: is that really the Canadian way?

by Rick Goldman and Paula Kline

Starting July 1, Canadians can expect to see something new on our streets: people begging for money to pay for medication or hospital care.


Canada, which prides itself on being more compassionate than its rough-and-tumble neighbour to the south, will soon have its very own underclass of people unable to obtain life-sustaining medication and treatment.


This is because, with no prior consultation with the provinces or health-care professionals, the federal government recently announced that it will make drastic cuts to the Interim Federal Health Program – the health-care program for people seeking refugee status in Canada – effective June 30.


No medication will be provided to these refugee claimants unless there is a public-health-and-safety angle. So, for example, a woman who arrives on July 1 from Syria or Eritrea (or choose any country with a similar human-rights record) whose story of persecution is solid, and who is extremely likely to be recognized as a refugee once she has her hearing, will be denied medication if she is, say, diabetic, or has cancer or heart disease.


No hospital treatment will be provided to refused refugees. So, for example, claimants who receive a negative decision but cannot be removed right away because their country is viewed by the Canadian government as too dangerous (the current list includes Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Afghanistan) will be denied hospital treatment for everything from kidney failure and cancer to broken limbs.


Why is the government doing this? Here are some of the rationales provided in various public statements:
“Health benefits for refugee claimants are more generous than for Canadians.” The government’s own figures belie this. Crunching the numbers in Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s background documents on the cuts gives an average per-person cost of $660 for the Interim Federal Health Program, barely 10 per cent of the $6,141 current per-capita cost for health and social services for Canadians.


Further, while it is true that some Canadians (unfortunately) do not benefit from prescription-drug insurance, most low-income Canadians have access through social-assistance programs or public-insurance plans such as the one in Quebec. Refugee claimants, however low their income, are not eligible for these programs.


Finally, Canadians who do not have prescription-drug insurance because they live in a province that does not offer it and they are working and do not receive social assistance may have coverage through their employment and, if not, can probably purchase it privately if they wish. Refugee claimants do not even receive a work permit for their first few months in Canada, so they cannot get coverage through employment and cannot afford to purchase private insurance.


“This government does not expect hard-working taxpaying Canadians to pay for benefits they do not receive.” It seems entirely possible to us that, if asked, most Canadians would not mind continuing to kick in $3 a year (the cost per Canadian of the Interim Federal Health Program before the cuts) to provide temporary medical care for vulnerable people arriving in Canada. No one seemed too upset about this program until Immigration Minister Jason Kenney started vocally criticizing it a few weeks ago.


The government will spend $28 million to commemorate the War of 1812. Were hard-working taxpaying Canadians ever asked whether they preferred paying for that rather than, say, essential health care?


“The budget.” Citizenship and Immigration Canada says it will save about $100 million over the next five years with these cuts. However, many health-care professionals view this as largely a transfer of costs to the provinces, because people denied life-sustaining medication and treatment – at least those who don’t wish to just curl up and die – will end up at hospital emergency rooms, where they will be treated at high cost and released until their next crisis.
In the final analysis, the federal government is putting lives at risk by cutting a program that already offers very modest benefits at a minimal cost.


“Had the War of 1812 ended differently, the Canada we know today would not exist,” Justice Minister Rob Nicholson said in announcing the commemoration plan. These cuts to health care for the most vulnerable among us strike at the very heart of that Canada.


Paula Kline is executive director of the Montreal City Mission.


Rick Goldman is a lawyer and coordinator of the Montreal-based Committee to Aid Refugees.


Copyright © The Montreal Gazette

Inclusion

Le texte français suit

More important than our need to be loved is our need to belong.

- Jean Vanier 

Billy's mom looked crestfallen when I told her I would have to put Billy on a waiting list. That one look translated years of refusals: I'm sorry; we can't help you; we don't have the staff to accommodate your son; etc etc.

I felt terrible to be joining my voice to that negative chorus and wanted desperately to be able to say - no problem, he has a place this summer at Camp Cosmos.

But with cutbacks to our shadow* grants, I could not make false promises. Last year Camp Cosmos welcomed 45 children, 6 of whom had special needs, into our sharing circle of fun and learning. All the children laughed, played, and became friends together. This year, however, we only have grant money to welcome 3 children with special needs. Billy is not one of them.

And so I’m turning to you, dear friends with a special request for a special program. And that request is to make a special donation to our shadow program this summer. All donations - no matter what the size - will help us reach our goal of hiring 2 more shadows.

With your help, we hope to raise $7200 through this shadow campaign for Camp Cosmos 2012.

Please help us help a child belong this summer.

Vanessa Fernando                    Paula Kline

Camp Director                           Camp Board member

If you wish to donate online, just go to campcosmos.org and click on “Donate Now!”.

 *shadows provide one on one accompaniment to children with special needs, ensuring their safety and integration in the wider camp program

 Plus important que notre besoin d’être aimé est 

notre besoin d’être accepté.

-Jean Vanier

La mère de Billy m’a regardé tristement quand je lui ai dit que je devais mettre Billy sur une liste d’attente.  Dans ce regard, j’ai vu le grand nombre de refus qu’elle a dû entendre au cours des années : « Nous sommes désolés », « Nous ne pouvons pas vous aider », « Nous n’avons pas les ressources nécessaires pour offrir une place à votre fils », etc.

C’était difficile de devoir lui dire la même chose, et je voulais absolument pouvoir lui dire qu’on pouvait lui offrir une place au Camp Cosmos sans problème. 

Pourtant, étant donné les réductions dans nos subventions pour les accompagnateurs^*, il nous est impossible de prendre Billy.  L’an passé, le Camp Cosmos a accueilli 45 enfants, dont 6 ayant des besoins spéciaux.  Tous ces enfants ont partagé une expérience de joie et d’apprentissage : ils ont joué et ri ensemble.  Cette année, toutefois, à cause du nombre limité de subventions reçues, nous ne pourrons accueillir que 3 enfants ayant des besoins spéciaux.  Billy n’est pas parmi eux. 

Je me tourne donc vers vous, chers amis, avec une demande spéciale.  Je vous demande, pour cet été, de faire un don à notre programme d’accompagnement.  Chaque don, quel qu’en soit le montant, va nous aider à atteindre notre but : engager deux accompagnateurs de plus.  

Nous espérons qu’avec votre aide, cette campagne de financement de notre programme d’accompagnement réussira à amasser $7,200. 

Aidez-nous à accepter un enfant de plus cet été,

Vanessa Fernando                                     Paula Kline

Directrice du Camp Cosmos                     Membre du conseil du Camp Cosmos

Vous pouvez faire un don au Camp Cosmos à partir du site web www.campcosmos.org.

Il suffit de cliquer sur ‘Faites un don’, ce qui vous permettra d’utiliser une carte de crédit pour votre contribution.

^* Un accompagnateur s’assure qu’un enfant ayant des besoins spéciaux arrive à s’intégrer dans le groupe de campeurs de manière sécuritaire et confortable.