Your continued support for ADRA has encouraged ongoing support for Canadians in challenging circumstances, with some churches in Canada repurposing leftover funds from previous ADRA projects to serve people in their communities.

In New Brunswick, there has been a marked increase in the number of unhoused people seen throughout the city of Dieppe. Many of these people have been pushed out into a life on the streets because of problems within their families, addictions, or other difficulties. Using leftover funds from ADRA, a small group of volunteers from a church in Dieppe determined it would be most effective to go out individually on their own time to reach people. One of the volunteers, Paul, gathered up a small collection of books, new socks, and gift cards to distribute to people he met on the streets.

While distributing the goods to a group of people, he asked where the recipients were staying. They indicated a local shelter, and then asked him if he was also staying there, assuming Paul’s situation was like theirs based on his willingness to speak casually with them, and the state of his particularly well-worn old jacket. Reflecting on this exchange, Paul gained a deeper appreciation of the importance of meeting people where they are and engaging with them as equals.

While the material goods helped to make the connection, the deeper impact was in the sense of community and care fostered between the unhoused population in Dieppe and volunteers like Paul, who were empowered by your support to make face-to-face connections and listen to the stories and life experiences of an often-misunderstood group of people.

Paul shared these words: “I strongly encourage each of you to reach out and lend a helping hand to the needy near you! In the end, you will be surprised to find out that you will be the most blessed one!”

We are so grateful to work on behalf of donors like you who are already engaged in supporting this kind of vital community-centric work.