Christmas Greetings!
This year was a big one for Compassionate Community Care (CCC) thanks to your support. We saved lives, gave communities real hope, trained dedicated leaders and volunteers who now visit in-person and/or by phone. One guest at a recent talk said, “Your work is the solution!” (to the epidemic of loneliness and isolation across Canada). CCC creates a culture of caring.
Despite the lack of donations coming in by mail for nearly four weeks now, we are still as motivated as ever. In November, we trained over 100 participants in Saskatoon. The “Being With” workshop stresses the importance of personal connection in fostering hope and meaning. You can read about the Saskatoon event on the CCC blog at www.beingwith.org/blog
Please help us get through the Canada Post strike by donating online at www.beingwith.org/donate or by e-Transfer to info@beingwith.org
CCC offers in-person and online training across Canada for volunteers who want to visit those who are suffering, socially isolated, sick, or dying. We also offer advocacy training. We have been in Vancouver, Winnipeg, and many communities in Ontario like Ottawa and Mississauga. Our seniors’ calling service Community of Hope Outreach (www.beingwith.org/calling-service) is actively accepting clients who would like to receive calls as well as volunteers to make calls. When an Ontario woman found out about this service, she responded, “This is a miracle! I am 89 years old and am alone. This is an answer to my prayers!” We hope more people take advantage of the calling service; we need your support to make this happen.
Pictured here are Rod and Louise MacDonald, guests at a euthanasia healing retreat CCC co-hosted for those mourning the euthanasia death of a loved one. Following the event, the McDonalds said, “People were healing and we could feel it. We are so thankful for this opportunity.”
The retreat offered participants a wholesome meal, pastoral talk on grieving, an opportunity for sharing, including poetry reading, and memorial service. As one participant reflected, the retreat is greatly needed for those suffering through complicated grief, trauma, and depression following the euthanasia death of a family member or friend. CCC strives to acknowledge each person’s experience, creating a community of hope and healing around them.
Calls to our helpline include requests for advocacy, people in crisis, mental health and counselling support, treatment questions and inquiries around community support. We routinely receive requests to reach out to people who are vulnerable, isolated, and need assistance. Our goal is to help people live well until they die naturally.
CCC is a one-of-a-kind charity that assists individuals, organizations and communities across Canada. We offer tangible help on issues that matter. With the increasing exposure of and need for our helpline and its services, we need your support to help those caught in isolation, depression, and neglect. These people deserve compassionate care with the message that their lives have meaning, value, and purpose.
We work tirelessly to help build groups of dedicated volunteers who actively bring hope to the most vulnerable in their communities. Compassionate Community Care operates on a tight budget, accomplishing more than most charities on a modest salary. Our work is leveraged through the assistance of volunteers and supporters who assist us when we call on them. Please consider counting us among the charities you support this Christmas. Any gift will receive an income tax receipt in early 2025. I sincerely appreciate your support, and look forward to hearing from you soon.
Above are some pictures of visits with elderly people in our local community. Being with one another makes all the difference, especially at Christmastime. Please consider dropping by your local nursing home or retirement residence to offer some holiday cheer!
You can make your Christmas donation to CCC online at www.beingwith.org/donate, phone us at 519-439-6445, or by e-Transfer to info@beingwith.org
My family and I wish you and yours a most blessed Christmas spent with those you love.
Happy new year, and all the best in 2025!
Sincerely yours,
Kathy Matusiak Costa, Director, Compassionate Community Care