It is never too early in a child’s life to instill the importance of supporting their community and helping others. At the Cathedral Church of All Saints in Halifax, they have been putting this belief into action in a beautiful way.
Seven years ago, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Helen Ryding, the Nursery Class, which includes infants and children up to age 5, rolled out a theme of “Helping Hands”. The class leaders focused the theme on finding a tangible way for the children to help others. Wanting to make the theme reflective of the children’s ages, the class began collecting items to support youth at Phoenix who are also young parents. Donations often include things like formula, diapers, baby food, and other items appropriate for small children.
Today, under the leadership of Karen Cooper and Elissa Barnard, the class of approximately eight children gathers items each week which are placed in a special corner of their classroom. Multiple times throughout the year, the class leaders compile the donations and church member Janet Hawkins, drops them off to Phoenix Centre for Youth for their Parent Support Program.
The theme has been supported by the whole church and each week an announcement is included in their church bulletin. “I often come in to find a grocery bag of items left anonymously for us at our classroom door,” comments Karen.
This special support has made a profound impact as shared by Phoenix’s Case Manager – Parent Support Specialization, Marianne, “I, personally, would like to offer a sincere and great big “thank you” to the Cathedral Church of All Saints Nursery Class for their consistent and generous donations to Phoenix Centre for Youth. They have provided the Parenting Program with amazing in-kind goods that have supported numerous families as they continue on their parenting journey. This support allows parent to focus on other necessities for themselves and their children such as food, clothing, housing and recreation.”
Supporting youth in our community can take many different forms and we really appreciate the meaningful and creative way the Cathedral Church of All Saints Nursery Class has chosen to give back!
