Category: Lives Changed

Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus

As we head into a season of advent, here at The Lighthouse we are reminded of the many trials and struggles of our clients as many of them are missing their families and facing immigration barriers. The story of Jesus’ birth is one that is riddled with uncertainty, displacement, a strange place, poverty, the threat more »

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Refugee Sponsorship

by Rebecca Walker, World Renew Refugee Coordinator; Cameron Klapwyk, World Renew Refugee Program Associate; Kathryn Teeluck, World Renew Refugee Associate; and, Jeanette Romkema, Global Learning Partner consultant Churches can be a blessing to newcomers and their communities when they reach out and support refugee and immigrant families. This is what missional engagement can look like. more »

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A Place To Belong

The English as a Second Language (ESL) program at the Scarborough satellite location started in 2002, when Rita Wong, the Chinese counsellor and program coordinator, saw a need for emotional support for the immigrant Chinese community in Scarborough. Though The Lighthouse is located in downtown Toronto, the ESL program takes place in Scarborough at Calvary more »

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Counselling In a “Save Face” Culture

The Lighthouse’s Vietnamese ministry provides a unique service for the Vietnamese community. As one of the few Vietnamese counsellors in Toronto, Thuy Tran offers a holistic, language specific and culturally sensitive approach to counselling individuals and families from a “save face” culture. A core value of Asian culture is the concept of “face.” This constant more »

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Your Friendly Neighbourhood Food Bank

The food bank has always been a key program of The Lighthouse, operating in varying capacities over the years to serve the immediate physical needs of the community. The program began as a “closed” food bank, providing food only to clients of The Lighthouse programs; but a little more than a decade ago it changed more »

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9 Women Catering

9 Women Catering is an income generating program to help low-income Vietnamese families. Created by the women of the Vietnamese women’s support group, the group aims to create a safe and non-judgmental environment for women to express their feelings and their daily concerns. Within the group, Vietnamese women have the opportunity to gather every Monday more »

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Through the Eyes of an Intern

“As a multi-cultural Christian outreach and community centre, The Lighthouse demonstrates God’s love by offering unconditional hospitality, by sharing our resources and by helping people in need. We offer an atmosphere of respect, dignity and security in order to address spiritual, emotional and physical needs, all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – more »

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“Mi casa:” Celebrando 16 años con mis amigos de la 3ra edad

“Mi Casa”, el cual comenzó hace más de 16 años luego de ver la necesidad en la comunidad hispana de crear un lugar para el adulto mayor donde pudiera compartir sus alegrías y tristezas y a la vez sentirse útil dentro de las actividades que el centro compartía. Mi historia comienza hace más de 15 more »

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New Year – New Beginning

With the start of a New Year comes new beginnings and The Lighthouse offers a new beginning to many of our clients in need. For Linda, a mother who managed to escape domestic abuse and start a new life with her children (full story in Spring 2014 newsletter), this opportunity for a new beginning is more »

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Lives Changed @ The Lighthouse

From our Vietnamese Summer Camp volunteers: When I first began to volunteer at The Lighthouse, I did not intend to make any new friends or build any sort of relationship with others. My only goal at the time was to gain my volunteering hours, and have fun with Henry Tang and the kids. However as more »

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