One Flock One Shepherd Ministries (OFOSM)
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Mission Statement
Beyond our ministry, OFOSM’s mission is to serve Black Canadian and Black Newcomer families in Ottawa East by delivering culturally appropriate support services and programs for youth, seniors and low-income newcomers. We use an Anti-Black Racism Lens to provide a culturally sensitive and safe space for Black community members in Ottawa East in the absence of a Black Community Center in the National Capital. The objective of our programs is to improve the health and well-being of youth and seniors by providing social, educational and recreational activities that reduce social isolation, encourage a sense of belonging and promote physical health. Our Tutoring Program helps Black youth ages 13-21 develop social, leadership and academic skills. We also conduct quarterly Skills Development and Career Workshops and provide referrals to other services. Our programs for Seniors/Older Adults provide a safe place for low-income, newcomer and immigrant seniors to meet and socialize. Services include referrals, in-person and virtual meetings, telephone assurance and medication and food deliveries. Since 2013, we have run a Food Security Program through which volunteers deliver fruits and vegetables to low-income families (mainly newcomers) on a bi-weekly basis. We serve approximately 150 families per year.
About This Cause
OFOSM’s community programs, beginning with our Food Security Program in 2013 and now including a range of activities for youth, seniors or families, are primarily subscribed to by Black community members. We have been serving this community, and interacting with them on a daily basis for close to a decade. We know first hand that most of the individuals who participate in our current youth programs (tutoring, afterschool programs, career mentoring workshops) are from immigrant families, most of whom are low-income. With Covid restrictions resulting in the closure of schools and community centres, these children and youth do not have access to free recreational spaces and programs. Even before Covid, many families did not have the financial means to send their children to paid recreational programs. We know that our community members, youth and families will benefit from having access to free accessible recreational activities, whether through organized programs or informal activities. We know that if we are able to create a welcoming outdoor space we will be able to draw in entire multigeneraltional families who will come to participate and watch games and activities, and also to simply enjoy gathering together. One Flock community is to help our seniors in our community. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the seniors are observed to need extra help from the community. As a community centre, we are yet to help the seniors through our food program. One flock offers meals and healthy food to the seniors in our community. One flock community centre is to help seniors keep a healthy lifestyle through our exercise program. We have an ageing population but there is a growing disconnect between generations, and loneliness in both old and young. Our “Mind the Gap project” hopes to alleviate some of these issues in our local area. We are running a series of events and projects over the next three years to form meaningful connections between various members of our local community. Youth Through, our basketball sessions at our basketball court; We are yet to gather the youth to keep them out of trouble. Our program hosts one-on-one basketball sessions: with youth coming together. With our youth program, we offer job readiness, tutoring, counselling, career development. Our youth programs assist our students with developing an up-to-date resume with which to apply for jobs. Students engage in job searching, interview preparation and practice. We have engaged a variety of community partners and businesses to help implement this phase. Mentorship As a community centre, we are yet to offer life skills also referred to as ‘employability skills’, are those that are completely transferable between industries and occupations. They are often what employees lose jobs on. We teach the students skills of goal setting, financial management, sexual and emotional health, timekeeping and communication. We also address themes of Resilience, Teamwork, and Leadership. Some Bigs meet their Littles on the weekends. Others get together with their Littles on weekday evenings. Each match is unique and develops a schedule that works for them Community Based Mentoring-Many relationships between Bigs, and Littles are part of our community-based programs. Community-based mentoring relationships involve one-on-one outings and activities, doing things the Big and Little enjoy together, like: • Taking a walk in the park • Going to museum • Going to an event hosted by the local BBBS affiliate • Listening to music • Hanging out and talking Community Outreach One Flock Community centre is to have an outreach program to reach out to all the members in need. Such members include newcomers, immigrants, youth (Youth at Risk). Through this program, we can help the vulnerable community members. Through our community outreach, we have Be Heard program which is a series of events that gather young people together with local decision makers. They get the opportunity to discuss issues that are important to them and voice their concerns and ideas for their local community. We aim to host 2 events per year locally with young people’s involvement.