ST. JOHN’S (July 27 – Aug 4, 2024)

Our program in St. John’s is hosted by Gower Street United Church.

Gower Street United Church (formerly Methodist) is the oldest congregation of the denomination in St. John’s. Established in 1815, it has been a major social and religious force in the city for more than 200 years. Today, Gower is a vibrant and inclusive downtown church, involved in the community and determined to meet the challenges of living the Gospel in a modern world. The congregation is attempting to be true to its historical and scriptural roots as it develops new and innovative ways to meet the modern expression of fundamental human needs. In this way it can continue the tradition of being a home of a dynamic faith in action.

For more about us visit our website https://gowerunited.com/

St. John’s is Newfoundland’s capital and is the perfect combination of big-city luxury and small town charm. As the oldest and most easterly city in North America, this is where heritage lives.

Some of the programs we work with in St. John’s are;

Bridges to Hope: A commitment to reduce the effects of poverty on people in our society.
Bridges To Hope is a program to help those who for a variety of life circumstances need a hand-up to make life more livable. We are sponsored by and financially supported through the Presbyterian and United Churches, servicing people in need. No one is turned away. Currently Bridges To Hope has food pantry services, a Toy-lending Library which is provided in partnership with Daybreak Child Centre; and a Christmas Hamper program in partnership with the St. John’s Rotary Club.

Stella’s Circle: Hope lives here.
The mission of Stella’s Circle is to address the impact and root causes of poverty, abuse, and oppression. They do this by developing support services that promote community inclusion and by advocating for social policy changes that transform oppressive systems.

Stella’s Circle is named after Dr. Stella Burry, a pioneering Social Worker who made an outstanding contribution to her church, to her community, and to her province of Newfoundland and Labrador.Working with the United Church of Canada, she introduced a community development approach to St. John’s and in 1945 founded Emmanuel House to provide food, shelter, friendship, and counseling. Stella Burry was also a founding member of the Community Services Council and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association for the Aging.

Street Reach: Meeting youth where they are, helping youth go where they want to go, and supporting youth to be who they want to be.
Street Reach is a Grassroots Outreach Service, guided by the principle of harm reduction and has two main components: outreach and follow-up support. Street Reach has been in operation since 2005 and during that time has been a collaborative, community-supported initiative. In recent years the program has experienced significant growth and a high increase in the demand for our service. Street Reach has no age restrictions and provides services to individuals of all ages, from youth to seniors. Street Reach supports individuals who are struggling with food security; many times lack safe and affordable housing; may be unemployed; live in poverty; may have low literacy skills; may have mental health issues; may be sexually exploited; and may have limited or no access to a strong social support network.

Ronald McDonald House: Giving sick kids what they need most…their families!
The mission of Ronald McDonald House Newfoundland and Labrador is to provide sick children and their families with a comfortable home-away-from-home, in close proximity to the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre, where they can stay together in an atmosphere of caring, compassion and support. Ronald McDonald House Newfoundland and Labrador will support children who are sick or injured and their families who travel to St. John’s to receive medical care and treatment at the Janeway Children’s Health and Rehabilitation Centre. The House will provide a home-away-from-home when families are faced with critical medical issues. The House accommodates sick children, their siblings and their parents and provides the essentials of home including; 15 bedroom suites, each with its own private bathroom, a large family kitchen, dining room, a TV room, playroom, teen room,resource center, home office, quiet room and two laundry rooms. The House also has a beautiful outside playground for children and their families to enjoy.