On a very frigid February 9, 2017, a group of Grade 7 students, their teacher, Mlle. Caroline, parent volunteer, Ms. Athanaselos and Mr. Kwon met Tim Leeloy of Sharelife at St. Patrick’s Parish downtown. The parish hall instantly became a makeshift headquarters as Tim Leeloy explained to everyone the evolution of Street Patrols from small groups of volunteers distributing homemade lunches to the city’s most vulnerable to a more organized operation involving a multitude of parishes. Students, soon to be sealed with the gifts of the Holy Spirit and God’s grace this year, worked diligently with the “Hands of Christ” to lovingly prepare an assortment of bagged ham and cheese and cheese lunches, complete with fruit and drink. Thank you to our Nutrition Program Coordinator, Mrs. Shirley for procuring the necessary materials for this day. In small groups, students were led on a route through the downtown core, passing by shelters, such as Seaton house and others, interacting with Toronto’s homeless community and providing kid words and sustenance along the way. Although for a brief few hours, students undoubtedly became better acquainted with the challenges of homelessness, hunger and cold this day!
