Executive Director Message (2023/2024)
On behalf of the staff of Toronto City Mission (TCM) I bring you warm greetings!
It is with much excitement and thankfulness that we share our 2023-2024 annual report. I am happy to communicate that we had a wonderful and blessed year of ministry. For the children, youths and families who attended our programs, we focused on the theme of “Building Bridges.” It was wonderfully gratifying for our team to relay the beautiful message of Jesus being our bridge. The understanding that all people, including even the nicest people we know, need a mediator (a bridge) in order to approach our Holy God. So God provided Jesus, to show us who He was, and furnished us a path to God. Jesus is “the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).
Since 1879 TCM has had a long history of being a positive, loving presence in communities in our city impacted by poverty. Our desire is, through God’s transformational power, to build loving relationships to bring hope to children and families impacted by poverty. We aspire to present both the Word and Deed competent of the Gospel.
It is with gladness and joy that I share this update with the TCM community. This has been a first rate year where Covid restrictions were completely a thing of the past, and we have transitioned nicely into regular programs in each of our ministry communities. Our Outreach Workers continue to flourish, as they host programs and build loving and valuing relationships with those who attend our programs. We experienced strong participation numbers in our KIC after school program, EPIC tutoring program, and for our Summer and March Break “Sonshine” Day Camps. Further, this past year we rebooted our Role Model Moms program, and were blessed to have 2 moms graduate and attain their high school equivalency!
This year we also said goodbye to our 2 Liebenzell Missionaries Natalie and Tamara, and welcomed to our staff team Carlijn (Flemingdon Park), Luke (Jesse Ketchum), and Cho (Partner Relations Coordinator).
Other highlights included Christmas Celebrations in each of our ministry communities, a staff overnight trip to Niagara Falls in November, as well as a staff retreat in March. We also hosted 2 successful fundraisers, “SpikeBack Against Poverty” (volleyball) in March and ‘Strikeout Poverty” (softball) in May. Further, we added a new board member, and were blessed to welcome several local college field placement students, as well as two year long interns.
This is also an opportune time to thank, share gratitude, and recognize our “Sparks.” These are the individuals who faithfully, steadfastly pray for us, share their financial resources with us, and volunteer with us. “Sparks,” thank you for your generosity of time and resources. You are an important, and crucial component of our ministry!
Furthermore, a huge shout out and thank you to the TCM ministry team! Your extraordinary efforts to live out the mission and vision of our ministry has not gone unnoticed. Your participation and contributions are a vital factor to our ministry flourishing. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
TCM friends, we are excited about the year ahead of us, as we in faith look forward to seeing and learning about the things God has planned for our ministry. We thank you in advance for your continued prayers and support.
With Joy and Thankfulness,
Elliott Shin
Executive Director