Today on Listen Up: Urban Struggles. What's being done about low income, violence and children at risk?
Today
- a look at a confusing picture around poverty and urban struggle in
Canada. While experts debate the data on poverty, no one can argue this
fact: Canada is one of the wealthiest countries in the world.
And yet millions in this nation struggle daily against the
painful realities of low income, and lack of resources.
Even
our schools are no longer the safe-havens they once were. A recent
panel investigation into school-based violence in Toronto blamed a
culture of silence and fear among students and staff that’s leading to
unreported incidents.
Today, we’re seeking understanding and
inspiration on urban struggles. We’ll meet a group of urban, single
moms best described as heroes. And we'll find out what they face when
they send their children to school.
Peter Kentie
Children and Youth Program Director, Urban Promise Toronto
Christine Lee
Family Support Ministry, Urban Promise Toronto
UrbanPromise Toronto is a registered Christian non-profit charitable
organization that is dedicated to meeting the needs of children, youth,
and their families in at-risk communities across the Greater Toronto
Area.
Our mission is to empower children, youth and their families to realize
life’s full potential by equipping them with the skills and
resources necessary for spiritual growth, academic achievement, life
management and leadership.
Hamilton, Ontario, is a vibrant community with a proud history of
achievement. It’s a city located in an outstanding natural
environment, and one that is rich in arts and culture. Hamilton has
business, health and educational organizations that are famous
world-over.
But poverty is Hamilton’s biggest challenge, with 20 per cent of its citizens living at or below the poverty line.
As a community, Hamilton is saying this is unacceptable. In spring
2005, a multi-sector Roundtable for Poverty Reduction was formed and
the Tackling Poverty in Hamilton initiative began.
Purpose of the Tackling Poverty in Hamilton initiative
We want to rally community involvement and marshal community resources
in order to reduce the number of individuals and families living in
poverty in Hamilton, while preventing future generations from
experiencing conditions of poverty.
Guiding principles of the initiative
As Hamiltonians come together to tackle poverty in our community, we
recognize that success will involve a change in the way we approach
this issue and implement solutions.
Despite all the work underway in our community, real progress will only
occur when we make significant changes to the culture of our community
with respect to the way we view poverty and seek to address it.
Our Mission: To inspire. To instill. To impact.
City Kidz inspires each child to believe they are created with purpose,
with destiny. We will inspire them to dream big dreams, and to follow
their dreams with passion. To live their lives in pursuit of God, His
plans, His purposes for their lives.
City Kidz instills Christian values and morals, which lay the
foundation and attitude for dreams to be built and destiny’s to
be reached.
City Kidz influences the choices and decisions each child makes which
has a direct impact on the direction and outcome of their lives,
helping each achieve their God given potential.
It’s
easy to tune out what we discussed today on poverty and urban
challenge. But here’s why Christian journalism like ours can’t ignore
it. The facts we looked at today relate to what happens when people
lack the resources to fulfill their God-given responsibility. Every
one of us has been created in God’s image. Every one of has holds the
potential to bring God’s beauty, love, and wonder to our world. But
when poverty of mind, resources, or spirit take over – we can’t reach
that potential. And that matters to God. So as Christian journalists
we ask what’s being done about Jesus’ mission to bring good news to the
poor ? Fighting poverty is always a deeply Christian responsibility.
Knowing about the problem is a good first step – relating to it is
next. Get to know someone who’s trying to break out of a lack of
resources. Be a friend to each other. It just could bring out the best
of God in both of you.
THE FEEDBACK
Kenyan Crisis
It's a shame that a country
like Kenya that is seen as a modern Africa is being turned into a
nation of violence and crisis. I really don’t know why every president
in Africa wants to remain in power even when they are failing the
people.
The president should stop imposing himself on the people
as they know what is good for them. Corruption has become a part of our
African leaders and will take God almighty to release them from that
disease. -David from Nigeria
Money Makeover
This year I had
to consolidate my debts and increased my mortgage from 89,000. to
$175,000. to cover business costs and purchases. I feel and understand
for those caught up in this material world. Credit card companies,
Banks, etc. are all giant thieves and vultures...they just eat people
alive with their interest charges. -Ann
Beyond the Bucket List
At 54, my bucket list is much like Tony's in regard to the importance
of relationship rather than things I want to do. -Wendy
Your
"Bucket List" emphasis this Sunday was encouraging to me and over all I
sense that your program is uplifting, instructive, Godly and an oasis
in the desert of most TV programming today. I just wanted to say thank
you for all of your team's effort to bring us something worth watching.
I will definitely be watching more of your programming and promoting it
to others. –Reid
A story of one woman who personally took the spiritual truth of Jesus and applied it to her physical challenges:
"I'm
remembering a friend who has shaped me forever on this. I'll call her
Janet. I've known Janet as a dear friend for 10 years. This is the
first year Janet has been able to hold a job, and has even enrolled
herself part time in College. This is amazing, this after years of not
having the resources to fight her own addictions, pay her rent, feed
her children, all a classic picture of the worst in urban struggle.
But here's what I saw turned the corner for her. The grace of Jesus.
The beautiful gentle Jesus who Janet has known for more than 10 years,
the Jesus who always pulls us close to His heart and says there is
always a new beginning. Janet has cried so many tears of "I'm sorry
God …" and the prayers were deep and heart felt. She's also laughed
"Thank you God" an awful lot. Janet is beginning new, again, and it is
stunning to see. She is going to make it, she is reaching for her
potential of Philippians 4:13 , "I can do all things through Christ who
strengthen me." For years Janet has been one of the best and most
faithful friends who prays money into our media ministry so it can do
the kind of stories it did today.” – Lorna
Listen Up with Lorna Dueck is available ON-LINE in a variety of ways.
Click here to find out more!
Pacific 1:30
am Monday
Mountain 2:30am
Central 3:30am
Eastern 4:30am
National Religious Broadcasters (NRB)
Eastern 8pm Monday
10:30am Wednesday
DVD's of all our shows are available for sale. To place an order, please call (905) 336 9777 x27. Copies are $15.00 which includes shipping. Payment can be made by cheque (made payable to Listen Up TV); VISA or Mastercard.
Read Lorna's Globe & Mail columns by searching
our archive.
Read 'Media & The Message'. Lorna says if the church wants to impact society, we need to share our stories.
On April 30, 2005 Lorna was privileged to receive an honorary Doctorate of Christian Ministries from Canada's largest Christian university, Trinity Western University. Lorna was recognized for the witness and leadership that Listen Up TV has provided in public messaging: "a leader in the voice of evangelical life in Canada."
