Good afternoon lovely readers, Megan here!
Today we spent an afternoon helping out with the Welcome Inn Community Centre. Welcome Inn is an organization whose vision is to be a place "where people from all walks of life work together to end poverty". They provide a number of wonderful programs two of which our group was fortunate enough to be a part of today. We split into two groups with one going to spend time with the seniors taking part in Welcome Inn's Senior Program. That program is dedicated to helping seniors stay independent and creating opportunites for friendship and community. The second group, which I was a part of, helped out at Welcome Inn's New Horizons Thrift Store. New Horizons is all about providing a more affordable shopping opportunity for people of all backgrounds.
Those of us at the thrift store helped organize and stock merchandise. Some of the items were very facinating. We found items like books that had personal messages previous owners had written and it was a very intense thing to have a moment of thinking about that certain objects history and what led it to being on the shelf in this store. We were very warmly welcomed there. Those who work/volunteer there were very greatful for our help. Frequently the employees commented on what a great job they thought we did. Their genuine appreciation was very heartwarming and touching.
Group two spent time with the seniors at the community centre. They helped ready the dining area for lunch. They socialized with the seniors there finding out about their lives and getting to know them and telling the seniors about themselves as well. Again the people were very welcoming and the interest they took in us was very sweet. The group also helped out with some fun activities the seniors had planned which included playing cards and bingo. The thrift shop crew made their way to the centre for lunch and also got the chance to meet the seniors and socialize with them. Very happy we got to do that.
I personally am very happy about the events of today. I really enjoyed learning about Welcome Inn and getting to help them out. It was a very interesting/refreshing experience to take a step away from our time with L'Arche and help out and get involved in a different way while we are here.
Please continue to follow our blog and as always remember to keep us in your thoughts and prayers!
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