December 2022

 

As we approach Christmas — the season of new beginnings — everyone at Ray of Hope shares their gratitude for your generosity. Through your gifts of time, financial support and prayer, you help to support people like Tyler (story below) and provide them with hope for a fresh start tomorrow. Thank you!

We wish you a peaceful, blessed Christmas and look forward to walking with you in service in 2023.

Four years ago, Tyler Kraft was a participant in Ray of Hope’s Employment Services Program. But at a vulnerable time in his life, hanging around with the wrong people led him to quit.

 

Fast forward to 2022. Tyler was looking for work without success. He tried to upgrade his education but found online learning difficult. Then he reconnected with the Employment Services Program. After some discussion with program staff, he was accepted back into the program, where he’s thriving.

“I missed the culture in the program,” he says. “I feel like I belong here.”

Learning and growing

Tyler recently completed the first six weeks of the program’s ­classroom training phase. This is an intensive learning period. Participants learn employment and life skills and earn certification in a variety of areas, from safe food handling to workplace safety.

“Tyler was keen to learn and grow in class, always providing thoughtful input into discussions,” says Employment Program Coordinator Kate Rockwell. “While life has not been easy for Tyler, he has made choices to grow stronger and make positive changes rather than giving up when challenges arise.”

“I’m in the business of making smiles”

Now Tyler’s in the middle of his internal placement. He’s working in the Ray of Hope Community Centre kitchen, where he preps and cooks food for the meal program. Tyler enjoys working with his co-workers, who welcomed him to the team, and interacting with guests as he serves them meals or coffee.

“I’m in the business of making smiles,” he says.

Building connections with guests

“During his employment placement at Ray of Hope, Tyler’s strong work ethic has been fueled by his deep desire to make positive contributions to the workplace and community as a whole,” says Zach Hall, Tyler’s supervisor.

“Tyler demonstrates high levels of responsibility and a willingness to help staff and coworkers without delay. He has also shown a natural passion for building empathetic and meaningful connections with the guests that utilize Ray of Hope’s services.”

What’s in Tyler’s future? If possible, he’d like to work somewhere like Ray of Hope, a supportive environment where he can continue to help others.

“I’m so grateful for this second chance,” he says. “This is the most productive and happy I’ve been in my life.”

The Employment Service Program helps young people like Tyler find meaningful employment and achieve independence. If you’d like to help other youth gain life-changing career skills, please consider giving today using this secure donation form and directing your gift to Employment Services. Thank you for helping to build brighter futures for young people.

When you give, you make life a little easier for vulnerable people in our community. Thank you!

The Marketplace food hamper program has put out a special call for these items:

• Cereal
• Peanut butter
• Canned food (meat and fish, fruit, soup, etc.)
• Pasta and pasta sauce
• Reuseable or plastic shopping bags
• Toiletries, especially toothpaste and toothbrushes, razors, shampoo/conditioner and feminine hygiene products

For more information, please contact us at: info@rayofhope.net.

You can also feed hungry people through our secure donation page.