We ended 2024 in the best way possible by celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ with our beloved friends. With the help of many volunteers and donors, we served 325 visitors. The joy was evident in the room with smiling faces, pleasant greetings, and the sound of laughter that could be heard across the room. How beautiful it was to see grandparents, cousins, siblings, and children, all gathered together.

At the tables, our staff had a quick visit with each visitor as they enjoyed the warm, homemade Christmas meal. Every visitor received a generously filled gift bag (thanks to many of you!). Both adults and children lit up with joy as they received the gift bags. One child who was so thankful looked into the gift bag and shouted, “Mom! Look! I got new mittens!” Instead of being fixated on the toy in the bag, they were so thankful for a much simpler thing. What a refreshing perspective for the season!

Our “Gift of Dignity” campaign has reached $325,074! Thank you for giving the gift of dignity to our community by partnering with The Bridge ministry. Even with the postal strike and how it delayed our printed newsletters, many of our partners took the extra steps to make sure that we received their gifts on time. We felt honored to receive your love and care and value your partnership!

Yes, this is a picture of someone’s feet in a pair of gloves. Just keep that image in your mind.

One day, one of our staff was just getting ready to go home as The Bridge was closed. He saw a visitor in an unfortunate condition, crying out for help. This person walked down 20th Street, in winter, hungry, with no shoes, no socks, but a pair of gloves covering their feet. Just like in the picture, the gloves did not cover the person’s heels, so they tiptoed to avoid snow on their feet.

If you try to put yourself in this person’s shoes (or gloves in this case), you would agree that no one should experience this. Immediately our staff searched for appropriate footwear and snacks for them. After being taken care of, they calmed down and prayed with the staff. Later, the visitor left our parking lot with a pair of warm shoes, with some food, and a smile.

When we receive God’s unconditional love, it changes us, and we want to let others experience this transformation. This visitor came in with a cry for help, yet left with physical needs being met, peace of mind, and knowing someone cared. We are blessed as a ministry to be the channel of this transformation, not just to this visitor, but to many who seek hope.

Full-Time Staff Position Needed

Finance/Bookkeeper

We are looking for someone who feels called to fiscally support the inner-city ministries of The Bridge on 20th Fellowship Centre. This person will:

• Have a strong relationship with Jesus and an understanding of the Bible
• Be energetic and a good team player
• Have good organizational and time management skills
• Enjoy and be proficient working with:
• Accounting software and related processes
• Database applications
• MS Office programs

Next Generation Coordinator

We are looking for someone who feels called to the young people in our community.

If you:

• Have a vibrant relationship with Jesus and knowledge of the Bible?
• Have a heart or passion for the inner-city kids, youth, and young adults?
• Have a vision to see transformation in lives of young people in our community?
• Have a teachable spirit, willingness to try new things, and an innovative mind?
• Have some experience in leading a team, organizing activities, and administration?

We would love to hear from you if you resonate with some of these questions.

Please send your resume and a brief testimony to Linda.

As our ministry continues to grow, more volunteer opportunities arise:

RECEPTIONIST

At The Bridge on 20th, we are interested in having a volunteer, or 2, to serve as a receptionist a few mornings or afternoons per week. This position would involve some training in answering phones, printing documents, and other office tasks. This would release our staff member Go Edlyn to accomplish other tasks while the volunteer is in place.

TAX RETURN PREPARATION

Would you be willing to be trained to help people fill their income tax returns?

If there are volunteers interested in receiving training to help people complete their income tax. There is a program with CRA which provides training, laptop, tech support this fall, so that the volunteer could offer this help to community members, who would come to The Bridge, and have their income tax completed between February and April next year.

 SEWING CLASS ASSISTANT

Our sewing class (Wednesday 9:30-11:30) could use 1 or 2 more adults who have sewing knowledge and a caring heart and a love for Jesus, to help guide class participants as they learn to sew.

MEAL GROUPS

You can sign up with your small group to provide supper for our Friday night Youth Group.

Meal Groups are an important part of the team, providing delicious meals for the night, which opens the way for fellowship among our youth and leaders.

Our Volunteer Coordinator, Carla, would love to talk with you if you would like to learn more about these roles, or if you would like to observe a class and see if it’s for you.

Coffee whitener

Coffee

Sugar

Ground Beef

Winter jackets

S-M clothing

S-L Underwear

As our team and facilities have grown, our financial needs have increased as well.

We would like to invite you to prayerfully consider, or even increase, monthly or one-time giving to The Bridge.

Please note, when giving through our website, fees are deducted from your gift.

But when you give by e-Transfer, we receive your whole gift.

Thank you for your partnership!

"Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it."

John 14:12-14 (NIV)