Ve'ahavta » News

Looking for Clothing and Supplies for MJRH

Vanessa — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 03:24:41 +0000

Fall is nearly here with cold weather just around the corner. We are looking for the following items:

Socks
Winter gloves
Scarves/neck warmers
Toques
Men’s underwear, especially sizes small and medium
Women’s underwear
Long underwear (men’s and women’s)
Sleeping bags and blankets
T-shirts (large and extra large preferred)
Rain ponchos and waterproof jackets
Jeans (Mens) sizes 30 – 38
Mens shoes sizes 8-12
Razors (2 blade strongly preferred)
Polysporin
Shampoo
Brushes

To donate, please contact Eric Cisterna at 416-964-7698, ext. 17 or eric@veahavta.org

Three Days on the Street Kicks Off

Vanessa — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 16:09:51 +0000

Welcome to Three Days on the Street.

For the next three days we encourage you to think about homelessness and all those that don’t have a home. Homelessness in a rich nation such as Canada is not necessary.

For the next three days we are having events that we would like you to attend.

Tonight we are having an open mic. Please join us for an evening of sharing our talents and stories.

OPEN MIC – TODAY AT 7:30 pm
280 GERRARD STREET EAST (BASEMENT COMMON ROOM)

Snacks and Refreshments will be served.

Hope to see you there.

Please see a complete list of events as well as our Comedy Show Flyer.

Send Sweet Wishes with a Chag Sameach Card from Ve’ahavta!

Vanessa — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:12:40 +0000

Let us take care of your Rosh Hashanah mailing. Tax receipts are issued for all card donations.

Call our office today or click on the link to send sweet wishes to your friends, family and colleagues.

This beautiful and inspiring card features original artwork by Ve’ahavta’s Founding Director, Avrum Rosensweig.

Kinder Kit Update

Vanessa — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 19:07:05 +0000

In the past month our volunteers and staff have packed and delivered over 1,500 Kinder Kits to local partners in the GTA. Here is a testimonial from a volunteer that completed a delivery of sponsored Kinder Kits:

The reception for the Kinder Kits was overwhelming.

The Rabbi could not believe the generosity and care in organization that had been put into making the Kinder Kits.

I spent a few minutes describing the program. He was in disbelief when I quoted our explosion of growth and the means by which we attain our donations. He mentioned that it was the function of the Principal’s office to help those in need and he was truly grateful for the support so that they can focus on other issues.

Thank you for providing this opportunity to distribute the Kinder Kits. It’s wonderful to feel the goodness that we bring to the people we serve.
- Kinder Kit Volunteer

Buying School Supplies? Remember to Sponsor a Kinder Kit!

Vanessa — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 18:57:58 +0000

Click to sponsor a Kinder Kit today!

Ve’ahavta Street Academy: Our 10 Students Graduate. Mazel tov!

Vanessa — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 20:05:52 +0000

Theresa and Avrum at VSA graduation

The Ve’ahavta Street Academy (VSA) wrapped up today. Our students graduated.

VSA, is a school for those who are homeless or near homeless. Ve’ahavta (www.vehavta.org) launched it at the end of June and it has been running until today (August 19th). Essentially VSA is an environment where we taught life skills (writing, finances, health and nourishment etc.), academia and hosted fascinating speakers for our 10 students, so that they could learn and create a better life.

www.cjnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=19375&Itemid=86

VSA was founded by Theresa Schrader, the winner of our 2005 Creative Writing Contest for the Homeless. www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/837267–ex-addict-puts-poverty-behind-her

She is magnificent. Theresa is a former prostitute and crack addict. She has turned her life around, after stints in jail and other such difficult times, to become a full-time student, a mommy of a beautiful little boy, a teacher, businesswoman and designer.

Designer? Yes, Theresa designed VSA and creatively nurtured it. As I said she was responsible for getting 10 students through this semester of VSA, keeping them interested and ensuring a decent education. Well she did all of that and more.

Today VSA ended. We held a graduation and gave out framed certificates and gifts. We also let our students know that they have a place in continuing education should they want it. And they do.

While I will stay away from mentioning names I will tell you that one of our students, a wonderful person who has been out of school for years will be starting at a local college in September. He began VSA with little confidence and the belief he wouldn’t make it through.

He did and while doing so brought great joy and laughter to our school.

This person I speak of was abandoned as a little boy by his mother, then his father. Abandonment at that level, at that age, can be debilitating. And in many ways his terrible fate slowed him down. We are so delighted however to state with much joy that VSA offered him the opportunity to fly – and HE DID.

Be free. Be Free.

Congratulations to all 10 students. You did it. You stuck it out, learned, asked some great questions, made silly and ensured that VSA from your end, was awesome. I so enjoyed coming down to VSA and sitting through classes and hearing your questions. As I said today at the graduation, what ever old voices you have in your head telling you are not bright or worthwhile, wish them shalom (goodbye).

I was witness to your learning and you inspired me and compelled me to study harder. Well done!! Well done and thank you.

We are thankful to all of our teachers and speakers and know that VSA would not have been the success it was without them. We are grateful to Karen Ehrlich and Paul Lindzon, board members of Ve’ahavta for their encouragement and constant presence. Thanks to our board for supporting VSA and to all of our staff who got behind it very quickly and just loved it. And of course we extend a great big hug to our donors.

There is so much more to say about VSA but I will let you read about it over time, because in September we’re going to our board to see if we might extend this program throughout the year so that we can play a role in assisting more of our community members to get off the street and into the shelter of their souls and minds. That is what education is. That is VSA.

Life is tough, and tougher for some. But when we learn, and read, and study, it seems to get a little easier. We, the Jewish people, are the People of the Book. VSA totally makes sense, therefore, and reflects the tools we have used to survive over generations. – Avrum

Ve’ahavta’s Tikun Olam Efforts in Pakistan

Vanessa — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:17:44 +0000

Ve’ahavta: The Canadian Jewish Humanitarian and Relief Committee is working quickly to develop a Jewish response to the crisis through a Pakistan Flood Relief Fund. A direct supply of aid and donor-supported relief projects have commenced based on the Jewish principle of Tikun Olam by providing life-saving food, clothing, medicine, and other resources as directed by our local partners.

Pakistan is currently suffering from the most devastating flooding of recent history. At least 1,600 are dead, over one fifth of the country is under water, and more than 6,000 villages and towns destroyed. As victims brace for more flooding, up to 20 million could loose their homes. With two more weeks remaining in the Monsoon season the situation is expected to worsen in the coming days. While the scale of the disaster has already surpassed that of the recent Haitian crisis and 2004 Southeast Asian Tsunami combined, support from the international community is falling desperately short where disease prevention, clean water, safe shelter, food, political security and governmental aid are in vital demand.

Avrum Rosensweig, President of Ve’ahavta said “The suffering in Pakistan is devastating and we, the Jewish people, are therefore extending our caring and resources to help. We wish for peace between all peoples and a world of co-existence and health.”

Ve’ahavta is collecting funds to aid victims of the devastating floods in Pakistan. We are closely coordinating with the JDC, the American Joint Distribution Committee. The JDC has previously responded to victims of crisis in Pakistan in the wake of the disastrous 2005 and 2008 earthquakes. Funds will be directed to support local relief efforts immediately.

Please Support the Relief efforts in Pakistan by clicking Pakistan Flood Relief Fund or contact us by telephone: 416-964-7698 or by mail: cheques payable to Ve’ahavta-Pakistan Flood Relief 2221 Yonge Street Suite LL12 Toronto Ontario Canada M4S 2B4

Support Ve’ahavta’s Pakistan Relief Fund

Vanessa — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 02:16:57 +0000

Pakistan is currently suffering from the most devastating flooding of recent history. At least 1,600 are dead, over one fifth of the country is under water, and more than 6,000 villages and towns destroyed. As victims brace for more flooding, up to 20 million have been affected, with millions displaced. While the scale of the disaster has already surpassed that of the recent Haitian crisis and 2004 Southeast Asian Tsunami combined, support from the international community is falling desperately short where disease prevention, clean water, safe shelter, food, political security and governmental aid are in vital demand. Ve’ahavta and our partners the JDC are working quickly to develop a Jewish response to the crisis through a Pakistan Flood Relief Fund for direct supply of aid and donor-supported relief projects following the Jewish principle of Tikun Olam.

Donate Now

The First Ve’ahavta Street Academy Graduation

Vanessa — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 20:43:42 +0000

Ve’ahavta Street Academy is winding down. We are holding our graduation on Thursday. The response from the nine graduates of the inaugural Academy class was very positive. Many students are moving on to other educational programs in September, and are excited about doing so.

Ve’ahavta will hold a Ve’ahavta Street Academy Alumni Monthly meeting to continue supporting the success of our students.

Way to go, and congratulations to our nine graduates. All the best!

Tangled Up In Welfare Rules: In the News

Vanessa — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 20:19:12 +0000

Mike Riley, a Ve’ahavta Street Academy student, and other share their struggle for financial independence.

Read the article online: Fix welfare rules, panel urges province by Laurie Monsebraaten, Social Justice Reporter, The Toronto Star

“Every day is a struggle with no food in the fridge, dirty laundry piling up and no cable in my TV,” Riley says. “But I do have ambition. And I want a career, not just a minimum wage job that I’m going to hate and that won’t help me get ahead. And for that I need an education.”

Click here to download the PDF.