Since 2014, the Stone Soup Initiative has been working hard to capture the power of community in order to tackle the problem of homelessness in Mission.
Where neighbouring communities have seen their homeless populations climb, Mission is seeing slow but steady progress. And a new fundraising plan will put even more wind into Stone Soup’s sails.
“The whole idea is to work better together, creating fewer cracks for people to slip through,” said Paul Horn, one of the Stone Soup Initiative’s leaders.
“We want a system that allows all of us to pitch in, not just professionals and government. And that includes businesses like Lanka Jewels.”
Stone Soup is all about making connections to improve Mission for everyone. That’s why Ken Selvaraja and Lanka Jewels have again joined forces with the Stone Soup group and ACE Seniors Initiative in a winter fundraiser.
Together, the collective is raffling off a stunning, all-Canadian pendant called “The Four Seasons.”
“I’m proud of Mission and Canada,” said Selvaraja, “and that’s why we thought this uniquely Canadian piece was a great fit for these local initiatives. It has Canadian gold, diamonds and a truly Canadian design. I think it represents the jewels in our community.”
The piece is valued at more than $4,000.
Stone Soup intends to use the funds raised to continue supporting programs such as Ready to Rent, Engaged Community Guides, Bridges Out of Poverty and other new initiatives.
These programs are designed to support people to live in the community by teaching them how to succeed as tenants; assisting them to work and contribute to community; and surrounding them with a support network.
“Those are just a few of the things we’ve been doing,” said Horn. “It has also been exciting to participate in raising awareness, connecting people to services, collecting vital information, and advocating to government for new services and policies.”
This year, some raffle funds are also going to an exciting initiative targeting inter-generational learning. Called the ACE 125, the program will bring elders together with youth and young adults to help pass on invaluable knowledge gained from life experience.
“We have a powerful and eager group of seniors in this community who are excited to share what they’ve learned,” said Selvaraja. “It’s a win-win-win situation for our elders, young people and community overall.”
Tickets will be sold at Lanka Jewels and by Stone Soup and Mission Seniors’ Centre volunteers.
Just 2,000 tickets are being printed and they will be sold for one for $10 or three for $20.
The draw will take place on Valentine’s Day 2018.