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In 2013 – after leaving our family home of 33 years, I found myself alone and lost. I had spent so many years trying to keep our marriage together and had become lonelier and more depressed in the marriage. We had tried counselling over the years but just couldn’t seem to get it figured out. It was only then I finally realized I couldn’t do it on my own and turned back to God. I began the healing process and He began opening doors for me to connect with amazing people of God who guided me through the following three years of learning to let go and let God!!! I found a church whose statement was “No Perfect People”. That was me!!! I found the love and support of people who didn’t judge me, didn’t condemn, but walked with me through the journey.Celebrate Recovery was a big part of that journey. It was there I learned the Principles of Recovery from my hurts, habits and hang-ups, and received honest feedback of the work I needed to do. God also led me to a group of women who were also single, and we began the journey of learning Boundaries, through the great mentorship of Henry Cloud. The next journey was the opportunity to start an Alpha Course at the church. Throughout those three years I developed a passion for taking what I had gone through and learned and helping others who were going through the same thing. In the Fall 2016 , God opened another door, the opportunity to move to Saskatoon. It was not where I had thought I would be, but after the initial fear and thinking no way, he continued to lead me in that direction. So, during Spring 2018, trusting and putting my faith in him and continued to make it clear that this is where I was supposed to be.In July of 2017, I made the move to Saskatoon. I knew that I wanted to continue to share my journey of healing with others and connect with a support group that would offer the continuing support I needed. God led me to The Neighbourhood Church in the Fall of 2018. It was there I heard the great things that LifeChange and Reconciliation Resources were doing within the community. I finally connected with Jodi in the Spring of 2018, it had been a hard winter of trying to adjust to a new city, connect with people and I was once again experiencing anxiety and a tremendous feeling of loneliness. I reached out to Jodi and I was soon to find out, in her always loving and caring way, she agreed to meet with me on short notice!!! Her amazing love for people and for God were evident to me as soon as we talked on the phone that day.As we began our conversation, we both realized that Celebrate Recovery and DivorceCare were areas that we both were passionate about. I became involved in the DivorceCare Group that was just starting and quickly found that it was exactly where God wanted me to be.
I became involved with RR in January 2019 after I spoke with Jodi about what the Lord was laying on my heart regarding ministry work. For over ten years I have worked with individuals who use drugs and carried out research in the area of substance abuse. With this passion of mine in this field, I joined the CR group for substance abuse clients particularly People Who Inject Drugs/Substances (PWIDS). With the Holy Spirit’s confirmation, I got involved as a co- facilitator with CR. The pilot group was a small one but well worth it as we saw the hand of God heal facilitators and participants alike.
My name is Gail Buckingham. When asked, “who I am?” other than my name, that is an ongoing quest or discovery process. But I do know “Who’s I am”…. I belong to Him, my God and Saviour. ❤️ I facilitate the GriefShare program in the Shellbrook area.The year I lost both my mother and my husband was a very difficult year for me and I needed grief support. The closest location for me was Saskatoon, which is 150km away. I began this ministry in Shellbrook with the help of Gloria, Jodi and Leanne because there was nothing offered like this in our area and I knew the difference GriefShare made for me so I wanted to make this wonderful support program available to others in my area.
Jodi and I first met in choir. I knew that she was working on her master’s degree in counselling and was involved in Elijah House. I could sense her desire to reach out to the marginalized in society. As I had been involved in First Nations ministries for 20 years, I, too, felt that Saskatoon could benefit from a ministry that ministered to society’s hurting and often over-looked.Our society is filled with individuals who need to be shown Christ’s unconditional love. I looked forward to my Monday nights from September to December as I worked with children in Divorce Care for Kids (DC4K). As a parent was participating in the sessions, the child was learning, in a loving, non-judgemental, fun- filled atmosphere, how he or she could deal with the many changes that were happening in their home. They learned that it is normal to experience differing feelings. They were taught appropriate coping mechanisms and God honouring behaviour. They were guided through stories and videos that divorce is not their fault. They were shown that people care, and that Jesus is always with them to successfully navigate them through their parent’s divorce.
I so enjoyed GriefShare when I took the class 11 years ago when my husband of 40 years passed away from cancer. I went to several groups during that first year but enjoyed the faith-based part of this one and also the videos which keep everyone on topic. I sat at Gloria’s table at the Bibleville Christmas Party at the Rock Church in December the previous year. Somehow the topic came up after I shared, I’d lost my partner. I kept her number and called to see if I could help that next Fall. I had known Jodi from my sister’s connection with The Neighbourhood Church. It’s interesting how things fall into place.Through helping Gloria, I have been reminded that grief does last a lifetime, but the deep hurts and pain can be lessened, and we can go on to have the fulfilling life God intended. Death is a part of life here on earth also and everyone will eventually experience it. Once we’ve experienced such deep pain God also says we can and should help others as they experience similar things.
I chose to serve with The Lighthouse Friday Coffee House Ministry, DC4KIDS, and CR because I love working with kids and I have been through my parents splitting up, so I know how it feels to go through something like that as a kid. This program was a perfect way to help kids with what they’re going through. I did not have anyone there for me. I helped in CR because I have a brother who is battling addictions and other family as well. I wanted to get to know people and understand where they are coming from and help support them in were, they are now. Jodi, you were super welcoming and a motherly figure, so it made me feel safe to be with you and work in your teams.
My two nephews were killed in horrific accidents. I took GriefShare three times to help me heal. I helped facilitate Grief Share to help others start to heal through this ministry. Jodi and I met one summer as we relaxed at a local swimming pool. GOD led Jodi and I together at Elim Church. She was the instructor for Elijah House Prayer Ministry 201, Transformed. Jodi was the leader for our Sanctuary Group. This was an amazing prayer ministry of women who would meet once a week to pray. I really learned how to pray, how to hear GOD’s voice and use tools for ministry.
I first met Jodi when her husband was the pastor at one of the churches in Saskatoon. From that time on we have been friends, and when she asked me to help volunteer for RR, I said yes. I have been involved in the DC4K program, as well as helped look after the children during the Single and Parenting courses. RR has made a huge impact on the lives of many families in Saskatoon, and volunteering with the ministry has been very rewarding. I have recently created and contributed home-made jewelry for Reconciliation Resources Fundraiser.
After going through two divorces I realized I desperately needed help. I found out about DivorceCare through my church. In the program I found the help I needed through Godly principles, support, friendship, people who truly cared about me. I decided after going through the program three times I would like to become a facilitator in the program to help give to others the help that I had received.
DivorceCare was a blessing in many ways. It helped me through a very tough time in my life. It’s an experience to meet other people and know that they have been blessed by the program.
Celebrate Recovery is a decades-old ministry that came out of Saddleback Church. (Recovery from: alcoholism, divorce, sexual abuse, codependency, domestic violence, drug addiction, sexual addiction, food addiction, gambling addiction). I recommend this ministry to everyone because it’s literally for everyone; for people who struggle to overcome “hurts, hang ups and habits”. I went through the Step Study in 2015 while I was going through divorce and struggling with anger, co-dependency, depression and anxiety.Being part of a close knit supportive community is actually biblical. If you want to be forgiven Jesus will do that in a moment. If we want to be healed, we need each other. In CR I was loved, encouraged, prayed for, supported, and taught. I experienced many more of the “one another’s” found in scripture. We were not created to go through our struggles alone and that is why I go to CR; for myself and for the sake of others.
I met Jodi at Elim Church when she coordinated Sanctuary group. I joined her ministry by the leading of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit said I should go volunteer with her ministry. She welcomed me with very open arms and a warm heart. I am very comfortable, and it’s been an awesome pleasure working alongside her in RR’s Single and Parenting Support group. Jodi has a heart for Jesus. She is dedicated, passionate and genuinely loves people and wants to see them live the life God has purposed for them.
I met Jodi Bryant through Mark Katona. He explained how he supported them, and he believed in RR. He then gave me her number. I phoned her and Jodi met with me. She discussed what RR provided and asked where my interest was. By attending the registration evening, Jodi and Darryl showed what all they provided as an outreach ministry to Saskatoon. Like everyone else at the session, I proceeded to fill out a form to let them know where I felt Jesus was leading me.With experience as a Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, VBS and the love Jesus has placed in my heart for kids, DC4K was a positive goal. After attending many joint meetings to plan ahead, the Monday came to start. I felt God’s amazing grace sustained me every step of the way with each session. The children were such a blessing and I loved seeing their individual personalities develop each session. I have respect and appreciation for Jodi’s leadership and organizational skills. I appreciated how each area was set up and the support and help from Jodi. I especially enjoyed the moments of God’s grace with children that had challenging behaviours. God’s compassion, empathy, and unconditional love for them through this group was amazing. I’m definitely looking forward to volunteering again and was honoured and blessed to give up time to volunteer for DC4K. We honour and celebrate the memory of Patti who passed away peacefully in February 2023.
I am a mother of three grown children. I have two sons and one daughter. I was married twice. After the breakup of my second marriage, I was very hurt. I remember just talking to God (not praying) saying, “God help me not to be angry about this because if I can be angry, I would burst because it is too painful. Please help me to use this pain to help someone, anyone.”I remember it was a Tuesday when I said this, and I was invited to an Alpha course on Thursday. The first night in my small group there was a lady who was looking sad and it looked like she was crying the whole time. At the end of the class, I sensed down in my spirit to go and say hi to her and introduce myself. I had never introduced myself like that to anyone in my life. I didn’t even know how you do that but on the last page of the books for the Alpha course, was a space to take other people’s phone numbers. That made it easy for me, so I went up to her, introduced myself and we exchanged phone numbers. On the Saturday, she called me. We were on the phone for at least an hour. She poured her heart out about what she was going through.I couldn’t believe there’s people who are going through hard things like what she shared with me. I just sat there and listened. At the end of that conversation, I couldn’t even think about my pain, so I started praying for this lady. I don’t think God wanted to minimize my pain, but I believe this was an answer to taking my focus off of my painful situation and to also realize I was not the only one hurting. I am still thankful to God for showing me that there are people hurting all around me. My healing began from there without even knowing that, that’s what was happening. A couple years later, I sensed God speaking to me about single parents. I thought, people might think I am looking for a man, so I made all kinds of excuses and decided to switch it to single moms. God is a loving God and through all of my leading single mom’s groups He was faithful and patient with me.In 2017, I attended a ladies' leaders’ retreat and met other lady leaders from the church. I mentioned that I do need support and one of the ladies said they knew someone she could introduce me to. A few weeks later, I was connected with Jodi Bryant.She is the one I was introduced to. We made an arrangement to meet for lunch. We met on the day as planned and while we were waiting for our order, we started talking about what my plans were. She explained her ministry to me and mentioned that there are many options we can decide on. She pulled out this pamphlet (Single and Parenting) and she didn’t even say anything, and I just couldn’t control myself, I started crying and she didn’t understand what was going on and I said to her, “I have a confession to make. God had put this ministry in my heart for so long and I think it is time for me to drop the excuses and do what I am supposed to do.” I facilitated a Single and Parenting group. I learned a lot and am looking forward to growing in this ministry and seeing what else God has for me in the future. I also would like to thank Vanessa for introducing me to Jodi and Jodi for everything I am learning under your leadership.
In Sept. 2017, I moved to Saskatoon and set up a CANGRANDS chapter for kinship and grandparents raising grandchildren. I had a fall in March and was struggling with doing this local group as well as the online national support work. Then, Lorraine Fajt called me. She is raising her two grandchildren and was looking to set up a support group through RR. We chatted, then met up and have been supporting those who will show up for monthly meetings under the name of Grand family Support. The “Gratitude for Grands” Christmas Dinner and a “Picnic in the Park" are just a few of the events we’ve hosted. We have more upcoming events planned to include International Grandparent’s Day. As the founder of CANGRANDS, a National Kinship support for the past 25 years, this is a work close and dear to my heart.
I got involved with DC when my wife left me and I did not know where to turn to, someone suggested to get involved with DC. I experienced supernatural healing when members of RR prayed for me. I have lost track of time; I think I’ve been involved with DC around four or five years. It helped me through separation and my divorce. It was beneficial to know that you’re not the only one going through separation.
I became a stepmom to 3 children in 2021 when I married Jeff. I had read a couple books about “how to survive becoming a stepmom” while we dated, however the best advice was found in Ron L. Deal’s books. It was Jodi who gave Jeff ‘Dating and the Single Parent’ and me ‘The Smart Stepmom’. Now we have purchased ALL Ron L. Deal’s books and we highly recommend them! Despite all the reading I felt lonely on my journey. Thankfully during the pandemic I joined Family Life Blended (FL) events, and training sessions via Zoom. I learned so much from the presenters and the attending couples. So once the pandemic had settled I started my own Blended Family Ministry here in Saskatoon! I’d love to help you and your family on the journey: to share joys and hurts, to acknowledge the struggles and to grow in wisdom and love. Contact me at hilary.rrministries@gmail.com for more info.
I met Darryl and Jodi through the Elim Choir. I am part of the RR Prison Outreach Team. I assist in preaching and leading worship in the RPC Men’s Chapel Service monthly. The Prison Team have the opportunity to welcome the Holy Spirit into a place that is considered to be Satan’s territory. It is my prayer that God’s Word, whether in word or song, will change lives for eternity.
I am honoured and blessed to serve with Jodi and Reconciliation Resources. In the Fall of 2018, I was part of a team who led DivorceCare for Kids. I was drawn to this program as I understand the pain of divorce and the effect that divorce has on the children. I wanted to be part of a ministry that would help children sort through their feelings as they face the many changes going in their family.In the year-long preparation for DC4K, we gathered our team together, we held monthly meetings to pray and to discuss and plan all aspects of the program, such as curriculum, the location, what day and what time, how many children we would be able to host, what snacks we should serve, the crafts, and assigning ministry duties according to each team members’ gifts and abilities. Jodi also arranged that a DivorceCare class was offered at the same time so the parents of these children could participate in their own program. I can’t really say enough good things about RR ministry and the team I was a part of. Every leader had something to offer and everyone served so willingly and cheerfully. The children looked forward to coming each week, they listened attentively to the story and the videos, and they were always willing to share when given the opportunity. We prayed for the children during the week and prayed with them at each session. I will continue to pray for each child that God will be their source of strength and comfort and they will know Him.
Reconciliation Resources has made a huge impact in my life. The small groups are led by people that are or have gone through the same things as you. Being part of a small group is important to me because of the safety, encouragement, and advice you can only find in a settings small groups provide.The Bible talks a lot about being part of a community so you can learn and grow together; even Jesus had his disciples. We cannot heal and grow being by ourselves we need people who understand and have experienced similar things as us, it doesn’t matter how hard you try and how many people you have supporting you – forgiveness and healing only come from the grace of God.
I first met Jodi when my husband Jake and I were taking part in an inner healing course. Jodi led this course and with taking part in sharing, Jodi and I grew closer. It was during this time we discovered Jake, my husband, was related. Jake was placed in a care home with dementia and my granddaughter’s cancer became worse and she needed a bone marrow transplant. I grew very close to my church sisters in Christ as I continued to ask for prayers.Jodi offered Sanctuary Intercession and Prayer– a local prayer and intercession group as well as an online group. Christ has guided me through my good times as well as my hard times. I lost five people in six months including my husband Jake and my granddaughter Cheryl. God carried me through. Thanks to the many prayers from my Church Family. Because of the prayers from these sisters in Christ, I began to trust them. I was never judged or talked about – rather, they showed genuine love and caring. This made me want to pass on the same to someone else in need and to encourage someone else of God’s Love for all and church sisterhood. You pray until an answer comes in God’s will. Though I am not a local participant, over the past four years, I’ve continued to join and pray for those who have requests with the over 200 intercessors on Sanctuary, the Reconciliation Resources online prayer, intercession, and therapy Facebook page.
We became aware of the desire to come alongside grandparents who are raising their grandchildren, and the many challenges this presents. We were able to connect a grandmother from BC to receiving some of this support via Skype meetings, as well connecting a grandmother we know in the city to some resources. She’s been greatly encouraged by the support she has received.We believe one of the areas of gifting Jodi has is visionary; to be able to see areas of great need, and to pray in and motivate the needed people to give themselves to meet these needs. Lives are being changed, and the potential to bring changes to our city’s needy and vulnerable is unlimited. I believe that together we can partner to see the glory of God revealed in our city as the scripture says: “The Earth will be fulfilled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea”. And we say, continue to do it Lord! (Habakkuk 2:14, and Isaiah 11:9)Over 30 grands and kin attended our “Gratitude for Grands” Christmas Dinner. It was a time of blessing and joy for those in attendance. One grand mentioned it was the only Christmas event they were going to have.
I was deeply passionate about working with the prison ministry. Now, thanks to RR, I have the opportunity to collaborate with the prison ministry, specifically with RPC in Saskatoon. We engage with the prisoners, offering prayers, lending an ear to their tales, singing alongside them, and conveying the Gospel of Christ. I feel blessed that the Lord is channeling His grace through me here in Saskatoon.
I am so thrilled to be a part of GriefShare ministry. It is always a joy to be in the will of God and it was Jodi who really encouraged me in this ministry. I’m not sure when I first met Jodi, but we got to know each other better when we did an Elijah House course together. I could see she has a heart for the hurting and lost and wants to bring healing to all she can. I had lost several people in my life but when I lost my husband it was the darkest time of my life. Through the EH course she facilitated, I was learning more about praying for others and listening to the voice of God.I had done GriefShare (GS) shortly after my husband had passed but when you are so focused on your pain you can only receive so much healing and instruction. Jodi facilitated a GS that I attended a second time with the intentions of more healing but also show me the direction I should go. Why should we go through such intense pain in vain but to learn healing and comfort from God and to heal and comfort others? She helped me find my passion and ministry. So, through Reconciliation Resources I began to facilitate GS.God was merciful to me in my first session sending me Christians who were calm and loved to share. With each session since (six sessions – spring and fall) it has been very unique, extreme differences and so much hurt and pain. I had to learn to leave it all up to God. I have had people with PTSD and people from prison with addiction and gang-related problems. There have been people who have dealt with murder of family and children. GS gives the tools. I facilitate and pray, and God heals and comforts. Praise God. GS always offers Jesus as their healing, so I have been able to tell people who do not know Jesus about Jesus and lead them to salvation. It has been wonderfully hard and very much a growing experience for me and those who have attended. Those who have facilitated with me have said the same thing that we have grown and learn each time we facilitate. It’s great to be able to offer tools to help others walk this journey of Grief. Blessings! As our grief recovery program expands, many find the need for ongoing support and fellowship. Thanks to our GS alumni Marg, who resides in Waldheim, where a new GS is launching, a newly formed, previously envisioned, grief recovery alumni group is now meeting regularly.
We have kept connecting with Darryl and Jodi sporadically over the last decade through the busyness and trials of life. One spring, we happened to meet in front of Jodi’s house when she was picking up her mail. I had come from the Briarwood Park with my two grandchildren looking for a place to turn around to go back home and ended up on her street. We truly believe that was a divine appointment arranged by God Almighty, because of what had transpired in the previous year.As we quickly tried to catch up on each other’s lives, we discovered we now had more in common than ever. I had recently become the primary caregiver for my two preschool grandchildren, and Jodi had previously been in the kith role, which is a non-relative caring for someone else’s children. We both strongly felt that there was a need in our city and beyond for a support group and resource centre to help grandparents and other kin parent again, in whatever circumstance.In the lengthy process of developing a local support group, we connected with Betty Cornelius, founder of CANGRANDS National Kinship Support, who had just moved to Saskatoon from Ontario. We valued her expertise and experience of 24 years as a grandparent raising a grandchild, setting up support groups across Canada, and writing bills for parliament to give grandparents rights in Ontario. She, in turn, had been searching and connecting with like-minded individuals to help carry on her mission in Saskatoon. We all agreed this was another God-orchestrated meeting.To date, the three of us have joined forces under the umbrella of LifeChange and RR, to form the Grandfamily Support Group, which holds monthly meetings for the caregivers and coordinates a monthly social event for all the grandfamilies. We pray for continued strength, commitment, and wisdom for all who find themselves in situations that warrant seeking out and attending such a group as this. We will journey together.
Hello, I'm Leona, representing 'Love Lives Here Bus Ministry.' I'm proudly associated with Reconciliation Resources. My motivation lies in connecting and being there for the people. There are numerous heartwarming tales, and a recent one from Sunday stands out. That morning, we received a distress call from a family in dire need. Following an announcement, we gathered over three hundred dollars. With that, we were able to step into their home, offering both comfort and much-needed food, since they had none. That's a glimpse into who I am and what 'Love Lives Here Past Ministry' stands for.
I came across RR Ministry through my daughter but have come to know Darryl and Jodi as people after God’s own heart; like David. I wanted to contribute in any way I could, so I serve in fundraising, and asked to serve with The Lighthouse ministry as homeless people are always on my heart and RR ministry offered me an opportunity to share my faith. Some of my favourite moments are praying with the residents at The Lighthouse. Although the prison ministry is new, it is one of the most awesome of opportunities that the ministry had afforded me to witness. I love all that they do to spread the Word and I wish I could contribute more. I am 100% behind them in ALL that they are trying to accomplish! I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. So happy to share in this ministry.
I met Jodi through Deb M. and Shelley through our church. I’ve served in the children’s ministry of the RR Single & Parenting course, and in DC4Kids. I attended discipleship small groups like Transformed and Safe People with the RR team. I have experience and a heart for children so when Jodi approached me, I felt led by the Holy Spirit to come and serve in their children’s programming.I was drawn to volunteer by Jodi’s enthusiasm and passion for her ministry. I also liked that the team took an unknown program, raised the funds for it, and prepared a year in advance to launch it because I needed more knowledge to become equipped and prepared with training in the area of divorce. I enjoyed observing how many of the children emotionally connected to the program content and the RR team leaders. For me, watching the program unfold from start to finish and seeing the application of the Christian worldview in action gave me joy because the children were able to really relate and understand the content, gain a new perspective, and they were able to apply what they learned on their healing journey and use their new-found knowledge in their personal life.
I'm Marg Fair. I started facilitating GriefShare in Waldheim in 2019. I had previously attended two RR GriefShare in the Neighborhood Church Cafe after the passing of my husband in 2018. Gloria, Lucretia and Donna B. were compassionate facilitators. I couldn't do grief alone, I needed people who could understand my pain. I started a widdows' GriefShare alumni called Soul Sisters. I have facilitated three RR GriefShares alone and two co-facilitating with Gloria at Arcadia Funeral Home.
I'm Darryl Bryant, Jodi's husband and the co-founder of Reconciliation Resources. Additionally, I am actively involved in the outreach and Prison Ministry. My inclination towards Outreach stems from its significant role during my early spiritual growth; it truly nurtured my faith.I'd like to share a memorable incident from a couple of months ago. Typically, our Chapel Services are followed by a coffee session. But, aiming for a deeper spiritual bond, we decided to add a new dimension. After coffee, we reserved the chapel for those seeking prayer. The response was heartwarming. Several inmates, bearing their vulnerabilities, came forward. Amidst this profound atmosphere, one prisoner approached the keyboard. Initially apprehensive, I soon realized my concerns were unfounded as he delicately played soul-stirring melodies that complemented our prayer session. It was a moment of divine connection, a true embodiment of what church means to me. We are truly blessed to be able to serve those often considered the 'least' in society.
Hello, I'm Josephine. My association with Reconciliation and Resource has been longstanding, albeit on a private note, given my decade-long friendship with Jodi. However, it was only last year that I formally began my journey with the ministry. I've been assisting families, single mothers, and those navigating grief. My main focus is counselling, aligned with my ongoing master's degree in the subject. I truly believe God has guided me towards this path in His Kingdom. Collaborating with Reconciliation Resources has enriched my experience, enabling me to support those grappling with mental and spiritual challenges. The transformations I've witnessed have been profound. I'm convinced that God is leading me to serve even more individuals through counselling, and I anticipate a fulfilling journey ahead. Thank you.
DC4K gave me a purpose. Being part of a cause that was going to help children who were going through a divorce touched my heart and soul. My own personal experience of trying to help my daughter adjust from divorce was difficult and lonely. I struggled in knowing what to do to help her heal.What an exciting concept it was for me to know that parents and children did not have to do this alone. Having the support of others going through the same thing was going to be life changing. The most rewarding part of being a part of Jodi’s team was the love and support that I received. I grew so much during my time as a volunteer. It was the answer to my own personal depression because by helping others I removed myself from my own misery and to my surprise I received more than I gave. Helping children has been my life and my passion and I was able to use the education I had, particularly in teaching children about their emotions and helping them walk through the variety of feelings that came up for them. I know the lives of every child were touched in a special way. God has a calling to each one of us. If we listen and serve God using the gifts He has given us, the rewards are numerous. Being part of Jodi’s vision gave me not only purpose but a sense of community, love and worth. Thank you, Jodi, for all that you do.
I received much encouragement from Betty and online correspondence with other folks on CANGRANDS prior to co-founding GIFT in 2001 when my grand was three. GIFT was a support for “Grandparents Involved Full Time” in raising their children’s children. It provided emotional support in the form of regular meetings at several public facilities as a way of encouraging people of all faiths, spiritualities and origins.Exchanges of clothing, books and toys, as well as regular fun time outings get with the children allowed them to know that they were not alone in this unique family structure. Adults gained knowledge and comfort learning that the system, society and their children’s choices, not their own failures had led to this second time around of parenting. Unfortunately, as the years passed, many of us found our own aging lives, and caring for aged parents as well as the grandchildren, did not allow energy and time to devote to the planning and running of the group.Statistically, the 2890 + children under 14 years (and there are considerably more raised to 18+, not included in Stats Can 2016) account for most of the 3-6% of children in Sask. who live without their parents. 42% of skipped generation children are raised by only one grandparent. 60% of these households are below the low-income level. In Canada as a whole, 100,500 children aged 0-17 years are in homes whose income is below the poverty line. Low income, aging bodies, children with many emotional and physical challenges cause grandfamilies much stress. However, many of us continue to find strength, sanity and support from Betty Cornelius’s online CANGRANDS for kin carers and denied grandparents and, if we are lucky, a local group to share our cares. My grand and I had the privilege of attending a CANGRANDS summer camp with skilled lecturers. I would like to see something like that happening in SK. I give credit to the support of Grandparent organizations, like RR’s Grandfamily Support, in providing valuable awareness and understandings, enabling the raising of my granddaughter, for her 21 years, to a vibrant, confident, and independent young woman. Mine is only one of many hard-earned success stories.
I met Jodi and Darryl Bryant through Horizon College and Seminary. When I heard about what they stood for and the ministries they were involved in I knew God was leading me in that direction. Since meeting them I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer at The Lighthouse and a prison where I got to be the hands and feet of Jesus to men in the margins of society. I was incredibly blessed by the opportunity and I look forward to going back there and hanging out with the men some more.
Volunteers are at the heart of the difference we make in the community and without them we would not be able to have the impact we have had so far.
If you feel led by God to help, we would love to speak to you. Reach out to us by emailing: jodi.rrministries@gmail.com or
hilary.rrministries@gmail.com
