Since 1997, our church has participated in the Out of the Cold (OOTC) program to provide safe refuge, hospitality and emergency shelter to the homeless community throughout the City of Toronto.
Due to COVID-19, we have been told that key services like security, overnight supervision, and the provision of blankets and nurses will no longer be provided as the city considers other ways to address homelessness. Due to this significant loss of services and the challenge of providing meals and overnight shelter safely during an ongoing pandemic, the OOTC ministry is cancelled indefinitely.
We are very thankful for the volunteers and leaders who have served joyfully and sacrificially for over twenty years and ask for prayer for the safety of our homeless guests and for God’s direction for future ministry to the homeless.
自 1997 年起,華人福音堂就參與了 OOTC 避寒計劃,多年來款待了多倫多市的無家可歸者群體,並為他們提供安全的緊急庇護所。由於新冠疫情之故,我們獲悉將無法獲得相關單位提供避寒事工服務所需的保安與過夜管理的主要援助,毛毯用品的供應與護士駐點的服務也將一併取消,因為市府將會採取其他方案以解決無家可歸者的問題。由於失去相關服務項目的重要支援,再加上疫情持續期間要為賓客安全地提供用餐服務與過夜居所極為困難,因此教會的 OOTC 避寒事工將無限期暫停。我們為過去二十多年來無私奉獻、喜樂參與服事的義工與帶領同工感謝主,也為無家可歸者的平安禱告;又祈求主帶領我們規劃未來事工的方向,為街頭露宿者提供關懷援助。
自 1997 年起,华人福音堂就参与了 OOTC 避寒计划,多年来款待了多伦多市的无家者群体,并为他们提供安全的紧急庇护所。由于新冠疫情之故,我们获悉将无法获得相关单位提供避寒事工服务所需的保安与过夜管理的主要援助,毛毯用品的供应与护士驻点的服务也将一并取消,因为市府将会采取其他方案以解决无家可归者的问题。由于失去相关服务项目的重要支援,再加上疫情持续期间要为宾客安全地提供用餐服务与过夜居所极为困难,因此教会的 OOTC 避寒事工将无限期暂停。我们为过去二十多年来无私奉献、喜乐参与服事的义工与带领同工感谢主,也为无家可归者的平安祷告;又祈求主带领我们规划未来事工的方向,为街头露宿者提供关怀援助。