COMPASSION FUND UPDATE

Ron Gray, Associate Pastor of Compassion & Development

In the fall of 2024, the Compassion Team was tasked with developing an eighteen month plan which would see the surplus in the Compassion Fund expended. I am pleased to report that good progress has been made. Below is an account of how surplus funds have been prayerfully and diligently disbursed to date.

Hope Mission

Hope Mission is a non-profit Christian social care agency that provides desperately needed support to men, women, children, and youth. In November, 2024, the Compassion Fund provided $3,700 to cover the full cost of providing Christmas dinner and a modest gift to 1,000 kids in Calgary.

Cochrane Pregnancy Care Centre

The CPCC is a Christian Charitable organization that provides compassionate care to individuals and families facing an unexpected pregnancy. In December, 2024, the Compassion Fund provided $5,000 to support the provision of educational programs to CPCC clients and volunteers.

Calgary Alpha House: Providence House Program

The Providence House Program serves as a holistic support system that provides a combination of detox, treatment support, recovery coaching, skill-building, and job placement assistance. This all takes place in a safe residential environment in which clients live for a maximum of one year. In December, 2024, the Compassion Fund provided $5,000 to support material needs related to programming and to enhance recovery coaching.

Ukrainian Refugee Summer Camp

Ministry workers with Samaritan’s Purse Canada have been involved in supporting local Ukrainian refugees. As a result, a small church has been started. When it became known that Camp Chamisall was available July 20-23, the church seized the opportunity to provide a Christian camp experience for the children. Many of the families cannot carry the full cost of sending their children to camp, so funding was sought from other sources. It is anticipated that 60 children will attend the camp this summer. The cost for each child will be $250 with the family providing $100 at the time of registration.

This March, the Compassion Fund provided $4,500 to Camp Chamisall to support the campers and provide encouragement to the church. To look at it another way, RockPointe Church has made it possible for 30 Ukrainian Refugee children to learn about Jesus at summer camp!

Mainsprings Pregnancy and Family Support (formerly the Calgary Pregnancy Care Centre)

Mainsprings provides support and guidance to individuals facing the challenges of pregnancy, especially in difficult circumstances. They have reached the capacity of the limited space they are currently using, but additional space connected to their current facility has become available and they are looking to rent that space and make necessary upgrades. A major component of the expansion will be to offer new parents a dignified place where they can select essential items such as maternity and baby clothes from Mainsprings’ clothing ministry. In March, the Compassion Fund provided $20,000 to support the expansion and continuation of the clothing ministry.

The Mustard Seed

The Mustard Seed, a Christian charitable organization, aims to eliminate homelessness and reduce poverty by providing basic services, long-term solutions, and support services to individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness. In an effort to accomplish these aims, the Seed is repurposing its original building in downtown Calgary to become exclusively a women’s shelter. At this new facility, long term housing, training, and support will be provided to women who are transitioning from life on the street. In March, the Compassion Fund provided the Mustard Seed $16,100 to cover the cost of acquiring mattresses and linens.

Defend Dignity

Defend Dignity, works to end all forms of commercial sexual exploitation in Canada. Toward this end, Defend Dignity engages in three primary endeavors: raising awareness of the realities of all forms of sexual exploitation, actively advocating for law and policy reform, and providing financial aid and resources to survivors of sexual exploitation to assist them in their efforts to break free. Aid is provided through the Survivor Support Fund (SSF)/

In March, the Compassion Fund provided Defend Dignity $20,000 in support of the SFF. Further, each month for the next three years, 5% of all monies given to the Compassion Fund will be sent to Defend Dignity to support their day to day operations.

Food Security & the Bowridge Kitchen

God is calling RockPointe to feed the hungry. On the first Saturday of each month between 85 and 100 people are fed at the Bowridge Dinner Serve. Leftovers are often packaged and sent home with the attendees. On the third weekend of the month, hundreds more meals are prepared, frozen, and made available to the hungry through partner agencies.

All of this happens through the tired Bowridge Kitchen and the ill-suited storage room next to it. Both rooms need to be upgraded and brought up to AHS standards. As this work is needed to support the ongoing Food Security ministry, it is right that funding be taken from the Compassion Fund. RockPointe’s new Facility Director will be supervising the process of receiving quotes and ensuring the work is done properly. The cost is yet to be determined.

As you can see, God has been leading and the Compassion Team has been busy. We are six months into our eighteen month journey and approximately half of the surplus funds have been disbursed. I look forward to seeing where God leads us in the days to come!