Haven for the homeless faces closure
TORONTO, ON—A communal meal has just finished at Parkdale Neighborhood Church (PNC) and Les Jozwicki is putting away the tables. As someone who has been on and off the streets for many years, Jozwicki has been to a lot of other drop-in programs, but PNC, he says, is unique. Here he is not treated as a person who has come to receive help; he is part of the team serving others.
"I like spending time here," Jozwicki says, "Other places get hectic and rowdy. Here I feel comfortable. Here I feel at home."
PNC is helping break the "debilitating cycle" of dependence by making its high-needs congregation participants in the ministry, says Pastor Joe Abbey-Colborne.
"Parkdale has one of the highest concentrations of psychiatric survivors in Toronto," he says. "Our people have problems–substance abuse, poverty, mental health issues. Many live on the streets or are street-involved. They are those who would be seen as 'special projects' in [most churches].
"But they are still capable of doing so much. We believe God wants to change the way the Church does ministry—not focusing on what people can't do, but what they can. Why should the rich and the capable be the only ones who receive the blessing of being able to give?"
Members of the small Baptist church work together to plan, prepare and serve the weekly drop-in meal. They choose activities for social nights and take an active part in Sunday worship.
"They select the songs," Abbey-Colborne says, "and share what God is doing in their lives. Sometimes it can be quite spontaneous. I've never gotten through an entire sermon without being interrupted.
"We are sharing the gospel among the poor—not to the poor—but with them."
Facing closure
But recently funding cutbacks have left the small ministry fighting for its survival.
"We have a year left in us," says Erinn Oxford, administrative director at PNC. "For the first time we're not bringing in enough money to meet our budget."
Historically PNC has been funded by the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec (CBOQ), along with a few other smaller donors. However CBOQ has been scaling back its funding, as part of a "declining formula being applied across the board, to encourage organizations to become self-sufficient," according to John Torrance, interim executive minister of CBOQ.
Meanwhile other funding sources have dropped support altogether, and despite continued efforts, new sources of funding have been hard to find.
"The reality is stark," Oxford says. "Our reserves are depleted. At one point Parkdale would have been a self-sustaining congregation. Now on a Sunday when we have a collection the giving can amount to just $10—and that's people giving generously out of their pockets."
Oxford adds that if the situation does not change by next summer, they will start the process of "grieving" the church's closure.
She says, "I think it's really important that we honour each other, grieve together, and not just let the money run out and go, 'Oh, now we've got to lock the doors.'
"It's terrifying," she adds, "because for probably over 100 people, if not more, they would describe this place as one of safety, one that's dignifying and that's providing something they are not getting elsewhere. These are people for whom intimacy is something that they've not experienced much of in their lives. It's a home. And nobody wants to lose a home."
Abbey-Colborne adds that increased gentrification in Parkdale has begun to change the face of the area, as developers tear down some of the lower income rental properties and replace them with condos.
"There's a sense, a fear among many in our community that they are being displaced," he says. "This is a group of people who already feel powerless. They have no sense of belonging, and they had found a place where they were able to belong for many, many years. And now that feel that is being pulled out from under them."
Abbey-Colborne chokes back tears when asked what will happen to his congregation if PNC is forced to close.
"The people who come here are incredibly resilient," he says. "They are survivors. They amaze me with their resilience, their tenacity."
His voice breaks. He pauses to wipe tears from his eyes.
"But it is a sense that there is something that is really precious here," he says. "There are bigger organizations out there doing bigger, amazing work, with more resources than us…and I guess we may not be that big.
"But it is a beautiful, small thing that we are doing for God. And I would hate to see it disappear."
Parkdale Neighbourhood Church is holding a silent auction and fundraiser on Saturday November 7 at 7 p.m.
Dear Readers:
ChristianWeek relies on your generous support. please take a minute and donate to help give voice to stories that inform, encourage and inspire.
Donations of $20 or more will receive a charitable receipt.Thank you, from Christianweek.
