As I put this post together (November 13th, 2024) at the top of my morning news feed was the following headline:

Today, Mississauga City Council passed a motion to declare food insecurity an emergency in the City of Mississauga. This formal declaration is a monumental step in recognizing that food insecurity has gone beyond crisis levels and is not a temporary issue.

Homelessness and food insecurity are now national conversations about local realities. The hardest reality of all is that behind all these statistics, numbers and headlines there are real people – individuals/families and fellow citizens of the community where you live. Each and every of one of them has a story and none of these people grew up aspiring to be living on the street, fighting addiction and mental health issues or dealing with the fallout of abuse, exploitation and neglect. And even more of them never imagined that they would have to work 2 or 3 jobs and still have to choose between paying skyrocketing rent or exorbitant grocery prices in order to provide the basic necessities for themselves and their children.

The problem is so overwhelming, like me you will likely find yourself asking – “What can I possibly do?”. The reality is that everybody has an opportunity to do something and so maybe sponsoring me in this fundraising walk is your first step in the journey to make a difference in one person’s life. That is a great start!

Regeneration Outreach Community stands alone in the city of Brampton and Peel Region as a caring community and an expression of Christian love in action that helps us to restore hope, purpose, and dignity to those experiencing homelessness and vulnerability. Mary Ella and I volunteer regularly with Regeneration and know first hand the incredible and tireless work that they do on the front lines with every person who comes to them for help, regardless of that person’s situation, circumstances or life journey.

Thank you in advance for your support of Regeneration and your care for the people of Brampton through CNOY 2025. You are doing something – and it is something amazing!