Intern Perspective: My Journey to TCM

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

”

— Isaiah 6:8

My journey with TCM began during the Winter of 2021. I was contemplating what I was going to do in the summer. As a Christian, God commanded us to go and make disciples. I often wondered what that would look like in my life. That curiosity made me think about doing missions overseas. So I applied with my university fellowship to go on a short-term overseas mission trip. Unfortunately due to COVID-19, those plans had to be cancelled but I still felt God calling me to go out of my comfort zone to tell people about Jesus. 

At this point in my life, I always had Toronto City Mission (TCM) in the back of my head as my church would help the Flemingdon Park community site during Christmas time and the summer Community BBQs. I thought my opportunity to serve there as an intern that summer was over because the application period had passed. After talking to a friend who works at TCM, she informed me that they are still looking for summer interns. I excitedly and nervously applied as I didn’t know what to expect. 

For my first summer internship, I was placed in Flemingdon Park. After completing my summer internship, God has really opened my heart to the Flemingdon community. That summer experience has positively impacted my relationship with God as it was an experience that reminded me of how good God is. During the midst of my worries, anxieties, chaos, and sadness God graciously blessed me to witness His providence He had over me, the rest of the team, and the community of Flemingdon. I was able to learn how to build loving relationships with the children, youth, and their families which overall encouraged me to continue living missionally in Toronto. I wanted to return and continue serving the people God calls me to as His faithful obedient servant.

A specific moment I had where I knew I wanted to return was during the last week of camp. At times the seven weeks of camp can feel long but in the grand scheme of things it really flies by in the blink of an eye. Especially if you are building relationships with children and their families - these things take time. During the last week of camp, I noticed the children acting out more and not really listening to the leaders. One child especially was throwing a lot of tantrums and getting angry very easily at everything. When I sat down with her to have a conversation about what’s been going on. She replied with, “Why do you care? You are leaving me anyway. You’ve only been with us for two months and now you are leaving.” My heart really broke hearing those words, we had a conversation about how tough it must be to open your heart to people but just have them come and go in your life. Her behaviour was an outcry about how tired she was experiencing that. I felt right there and then God telling me that my time at Toronto City Mission is not over, that this is only the beginning. 

After returning and completing a second summer internship in 2023, I continued to feel God convicting my heart to pursue a more long-term commitment with TCM, which, through prayer and discernment, led me to embark on the year-long internship (where I am now). Upon completing my undergraduate studies in Child and Youth Care, I felt God calling me to apply what I had learned in school and support various communities impacted by poverty in Toronto. 

I was at Flemingdon Park for the majority of March Break Camp. This year, we did not have many children, which was a little discouraging at first, but I reminded myself to seize every opportunity. Since every child was a familiar face, as we had experienced Sonshine Day Camp together before, I took the time to intentionally spend more quality time with the children, as it was a smaller group. I was able to have more conversations with all the different children.

One child, in particular, slowly started reminiscing over camp last summer. She shared with me all her favourite memories, games, and activities she enjoyed. She told me that summer camp was the first place where she genuinely got to learn more about Jesus! So much so that she would go home after camp and search up the Bible verse of the day. She would read it together with her father because she learned that it is important to read the Bible. What an encouragement! God is working in ways that I didn’t even expect. He’s working through us in our program to spread the good news about Him. Praise be to Him.

I hope through my year-long internship to create a space where children can feel safe and open to learning about God. Through God’s transformational power, I aim to build loving relationships that bring hope to children and families affected by poverty. 

Divine Ownership: Surrendering All to God

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.
”

— Colossians 1:16

My journey with TCM began when I reached out via a cold email. I was interested in volunteering in their EPIC program because I wanted to be actively involved in the community. Due to timing, I had a couple of months to think about committing after speaking with TCM. I started getting cold feet because the site was a bit far from me and I had no way of getting there as my car hadn’t arrived yet, having been on the waitlist for 1.5 years. One random night, I prayed and asked God to show me if this was where He wanted me to serve in this season. The next day, I got an email from TCM asking if I was still interested in volunteering in the fall. Despite not having a means of transportation, I accepted in obedience and believed that this was from God. Three weeks later, I received confirmation that my car had finally arrived just in time for volunteering! His timing is perfect, He is perfect.

The children at Flemingdon Park have taught me a lot just by interacting with them. My focus is strongly oriented towards education and the child that I’m currently tutoring has shown me that simply spending time with them consistently and with undivided attention is what they need. I’ve learned to be their friend.

Throughout my time volunteering at TCM, I’ve experienced God in so many ways. I see His love through the children, outreach workers, and other volunteers. God has reminded me that materialistic things don’t matter, everyone’s biggest longing is to be loved unconditionally and only God can satisfy us.

I love that I get to pray for the children and know what’s going on in their lives. I get to pray for the outreach workers and they get to pray for me. The life I live is not about me (Galatians 2:20). Everything we have belongs to God, whether it’s our careers, possessions, skills, or time. Our hearts belong to God. It’s everyone’s calling to do God’s work- to be workers in the harvest field (Matthew 9:35-38; Ephesians 2:10). When we stop focusing on ourselves, God will show us the bigger picture. We’re just distracted right now.

Trusting in the plan he has set for you

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
”

— Proverbs 3:5-6

When entering the second semester of my final year, I had no idea of what God had in store for me. 

I had to find a second placement and I was worried I wouldn’t be able to find one. This is where I found myself praying about what my next steps needed to be and asked God to put me where he needs me to be according to the plan he has in store for me. It was at that moment that I came across TCM. I knew I always wanted to work with youth and as I grow older having a relationship with God is very important to me, so finding an agency that aligned with my belief was a blessing bonus.

I knew coming to TCM was part of God's plan because of everything I feared/worried about such as; ‘how I was going to travel?’, ‘How far the location was?’ or ‘if the kids would like me?’

Isaiah 41:13 

“For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.”

All of my fears and worries were put to ease once I trusted that everything was going to work out. 

When I first entered TCM I was excited and nervous to meet all the kids. I felt somewhat as “the new kid” getting to know every name and each personality that came with those names, remembering faces to the names was hard at first but I’ve got it now! 

It’s been such a beautiful experience to be able to teach bible lessons, and arts and crafts, and help coach the kids when it comes to sports. It’s also been great helping to come up with solutions to issues that the team may face or that the kids may encounter. 

When I first came, I knew it would take some time for the kids to get used to me and for them to trust me. When some of the children found out I speak Spanish, it was a moment where I found some of the kids opening up to me and talking with me in Spanish. My parents came to Canada when they were teenagers so they always told me to help out those who may struggle with the language. So, I was happy to be able to help translate with those families that speak Spanish. Working with the children that sometimes have a hard time understanding/speaking English, has really been such a nice opportunity and has been appreciated by the team. Most importantly I’m glad to be able to show kindness that we learn through our faith on how to help others and be able to guide and teach, despite the language barrier. 

Proverbs 16:3 says, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do,  and he will establish your plans.” When you let go and trust the process that God has for you, he will put you somewhere that needs you and somewhere that will help you grow closer to him. Which is why it always best to be kind and helpful because you never know why God has sent you somewhere. 

James 1:17

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights,  who does not change like shifting shadows.”

The team here is amazing, I honestly think being here working with the kids, working in such a strong and supportive environment is truly a gift in my eyes. I work with Karen and Luke at the Jesse-Ketchum location. They have such a beautiful, calming, understanding approach with the children and with the people around them. It’s very reassuring to see that our voices as leaders don’t need to be raised. We get to see the kids enjoy their time here by enjoying the little things. It’s nice to see the respect the children have towards the leaders and vice versa. I’ve been enjoying my time spending with Karen and Luke as they are also very open to hearing what you have to say, caring, and supportive, they make sure that; placement students and volunteers feel that they are in a safe space when coming to work. The best part is that It’s not just them who are like this but the entire TCM team, which has been a wholesome experience. I couldn’t have asked for a better agency to complete my placement.

A little bit Before coming to TCM I’ve always relied on my own understanding and my own learning. I prayed to be used to help people with the skills I’ve been blessed with, I’m happy and look forward to seeing what else God has in store for me.  

From Darkness to light

As we celebrated Easter, we are reminded of the enormous act of grace and mercy that God showed us, His creation, when He sent His Son to be the perfect sacrifice to reconcile us from our brokenness.  Not just brokenness with Him but each other and all of natural creation.

Throughout this school year, the children and youth have been finding connections throughout the Bible of how God provided a bridge, Jesus, to be in communion with people.  Regardless of how rebellious and how far away we feel we may have strayed, He continues to pursue us.  He provides a way for us to be forgiven of all unrighteousness so that we can come into His holy presence.  This way to forgiveness is through Jesus Christ.  Christ showed us what it means to be the perfect human and became the ultimate sacrifice when He gave Himself to be crucified for our sins. And it is His resurrection three days later that we celebrate on Easter Sunday.

During the hours leading up to Christ’s arrest, we find Him in the Garden of Gethsemane going to His Heavenly Father in prayer.

“Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me.  Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” Luke 22:42.

As we walk alongside the children and youth who participate in our programs, we have been privileged to earn their trust and to be their confidants.  Oftentimes this means that we learn about heartbreaking events in their lives. Some of these life events are much more than any young person should ever have to go through at their age.  At times, I can imagine that our staff just want to take away the pain and suffering that not just the children and youth face, but also their guardians and their community.  We may not understand why they must go through this suffering but we can trust that God has a greater plan.  We can also share with them that they can go to Christ because He knows how they feel.  He also did not want to go through the pain and suffering of dying on the cross, but He wanted to do the will of God and not what His flesh wanted. 

It’s important that the families know that they can come to God with the different feelings and emotions that they are going through.  He is the one who created them with those emotions and He cares for them.  We have faith in a Heavenly Father that knows our innermost being and desires a deep and personal relationship with His children.  We can have this relationship because of the death and resurrection of Christ.  So in the midst of all this sadness we can have hope.  A hope that transforms lives, even communities, from darkness into light.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

— John 1:1-5

Fostering Resilience in Poverty-Impacted Communities

I am Grace, currently studying in the Community Worker Program at George Brown College. However, before coming to Canada, I worked as a social service worker for four years in Taiwan. During this time, I focused on assisting teenagers involved in criminal activities and children who were victims of family abuse. Through these experiences, I gained a deep understanding of how various tragedies stem from underlying core issues and social oppression, with poverty being one of the most significant and pervasive among them.

Upon beginning my placement as a student at TCM, I began working with children and youth in the Kingston Galloway community. I actively participated in various programs, including those tailored for youth, community children, and tutoring. Throughout my nearly three-month internship, I was pleasantly surprised by the strong sense of community and the virtuous circle of support present in the Kingston Galloway community. Despite the challenges, the youth eagerly attended community activities after school, often bringing along friends or siblings to partake in the shared resources and sense of belonging. Moreover, many of the youth voluntarily assisted in mentoring younger children or supporting workers in various children's programs. From my perspective, this level of engagement is noteworthy, considering the typical demands and distractions teenagers face in their relationships, especially concerning friendships and romantic interests. However, the youth in the Kingston Galloway community demonstrated a remarkable commitment to their community, even cultivating relationships within it. This indicates a strong connection and solid relationships between workers and youth, which in turn, fosters an environment that attracts more youth to engage with the community.

As a placement student, I learn and observe how Carmen and Mila support youths, kids, and their families. Carmen and Mila are always patient and gentle when dealing with each child and addressing their difficulties. The most impressive aspect for me is when youths come into the community with anger after school due to facing challenges or difficulties. They often express their complaints or talk about everything that happened in school to Carmen and Mila. Mila and Carmen always listen attentively and empathize with their emotions. Furthermore, they engage in discussions with the youths and offer solutions to the challenges they face. Learning from Carmen and Mila, I understand the importance of listening and acceptance. Moreover, I have also learned counseling skills and how to generate solutions. When there are new children or youths in our community, Carmen and Mila always maintain an open and friendly attitude towards them.

During this three-month internship, I observed the significant effort that workers put into building relationships with children and youth. The Kingston-Galloway community, by being entrenched within the community and offering a range of programs over an extended period, begins engaging with youth from a young age. By establishing relationships early on, it becomes easier for workers to support children and their families when they encounter life's challenges. Additionally, early intervention provides children and youth with more opportunities for support before negative circumstances arise, mitigating potential harm. Recognizing this, I firmly believe in the importance of prevention over cure.

Reflecting on these insights, I have volunteered to write an article for a blog, as I believe it's crucial to spread the concept that "prevention is more important than cure." We must proactively reach out and support our children and youth, making them aware of the available resources and supportive individuals they can turn to. Delaying intervention until they reach adulthood may be too late.