Dear Supporters,
Historically, we have received government funding as part of the Canada Summer Jobs program and have been able to hire two or three students to work at Michael House during the summer. This has provided work opportunities for these students while benefitting Michael House with staff coverage in the busy summer months. This year, due to our Christian beliefs, we are no longer eligible to receive government funding to employ students. Despite advocating for the funding along with other faith based organizations, the government has made it clear to us that they will not fund any agency or group that doesn’t attest to their definition of reproductive rights.
In the 15 years since Michael House opened our first residence, we have had a long standing reputation as a credible teaching agency. We have partnered with McMaster University, Mohawk College, Sheridan College, Fanshawe College, University of Guelph and Nipissing University just to name a few. I myself used Michael House as a placement when I was at Mohawk College. The students that are placed with us at Michael House have the opportunity to work directly with our clients and experience firsthand what working in the Social Services field is really all about. The students also meet and interact with our community partners and gain an understanding of our importance in Guelph and Wellington County. We are able to offer these students the wisdom and experience that we have gained over the years.
It is not just the students that benefit from this situation. We as an agency benefit as the students bring us fresh ideas. Their enthusiasm and quest for knowledge and experience are contagious and our agency is the better for having them on board. It is not surprising that after being with us for a time, the students become advocates of what we do and often apply to work with us after their placement at Michael House is finished.
Michael House is interested in being part of post-secondary education where students can have exposure to a faith based agency as part of their educational experience. We are asking you to help us to provide summer employment for two students this year.
We are asking for 55 people to give $100 dollars each. With that support we will be able to offer employment to 2 students for 10 weeks this summer. Since we can no longer count on the government to support us, we are asking for that support from you.
We appreciate you standing with us as we navigate through difficult issues.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Best Regards,
Beth Harris
Executive Director