Fall 2014 - Saint Columba House

Saint Columba House
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NEWSLETTER FALL 2014
Life is filled with new beginnings, isn’t it?
September, in particular, evokes new beginnings, with kids of all ages going back to
school. It’s a time to explore, set new goals and go beyond what we already know.
Fall paints the landscape anew in bold and fiery colours, beckoning us to take notice
of the beauty that surrounds us.
At Saint Columba House, every September brings new people, young and old.
Friendships are rekindled, others are just budding, and a host of new activities fill
us to the brim with excitement and butterflies.
This Fall, we welcomed nine new interns and afterschool tutors, all of whom are
students themselves at Montreal CEGEPs and universities. These young men and
women come to Saint Columba to get work experience. They appreciate the opportunity to put theory into practice and bring with them an abundant supply of energy
and creativity. We, in turn, offer them support and help them create stimulating
learning environments that will have an enduring effect on those who spend time
at Saint Columba House. We bond, forming a strong working team.
This newsletter puts the spotlight on one tutor, Akki Mackay, who presented children 5 to 12-year old with a different view of gender identity. By doing so, he broadened their view of what it is to be a human being, and helped them break down
barriers and stereotypes.
New beginnings are often the sparks that bring forth new and positive actions,
actions inspired by a shared vision of justice for all and which encourage and
empower us to contribute to those who have not given up hope for a better future.
Reverend Patricia Lisson
Executive Director
New and Exciting Activities this Fall
l Catherine and Carys head the Teen Program. It’s off to a great start!
l Senior Connections has community seniors meeting every Friday afternoon, enjoying each other’s company, playing games and taking part in activities. They joined the kids the night before Halloween to carve pumpkins. These were later distributed in and around the community to brighten the Halloween lore.
l Bill’s Bike Co-op taught the young how to care for and repair their bikes, and ride safely.
l 150 community members enjoyed a delicious Thanksgiving meal together,
compliments of Beaconsfield and Lacolle United churches.
l The Food Security Committee held three workshops on the Seven Pillars of Food Sovereignty. Over 50 participants attended.
l Development Committee members organized three successful fund raising events this fall.
Saint Columba House, 2365 Grand Trunk, Montreal, QC H3K 1M8
info@saintcolumbahouse.org 514-932-6202 www.saintcolumbahouse.org
(Un)Learning Gender
By Akki Mackay A tutor shows the children how to take pride in just
being themselves
Last fall, when I was welcomed as a tutor in the After School
Program at Saint Columba House, my 5 to 12-year old students
quickly discovered that they were going to learn far more than
the usual classroom subjects from me.
Let me explain
I identify as genderqueer, which means, for me, that I identify
as neither male nor female. I was labeled a male at birth and
grew up as a boy. Now, that I am in my mid 20s and have completed a bachelor’s degree in music, I consider myself more as
a mix of genders.
My unconventional clothing and hairstyles soon tipped my students at Saint Columba House to the fact that I was ‘different’.
At first, they were surprised to see that a man would wear the
colour pink, and some were disgusted that I wore dresses.
What I did
In the past year, I chose to be completely open with the kids
I tutor. I calmly corrected mistaken preconceived ideas and
answered questions honestly, without judgment or over
simplification. The slow yet unequivocal turnaround in theattitudes of many of the students amazed me. It has given me
hope that our future world will welcome more diversity and
not see it as a threat.
What happened?
Over time, the students’ sometimes negative and hurtful
comments about lesbians, gays and transgender people turned
to statements like, “Being gay isn’t wrong, it’s just different.”
and “What does it matter what people wear?”
Like many people today, I believe that gender is not static,
but something fluid that we can choose to change during the
course of our lives. The rigid gender roles that persist to this
day maintain the cultural status quo, in spite of severe psychological and sometimes even physical injury to the millions of
people who have the right to be accepted, loved and appreciated
for who they really are.
I sincerely hope that Saint Columba House will continue to
develop self-esteem and confidence in young people as they
do. It is those people who will grow up to create a more just
and inclusive society for everyone.
Unexpected Help
Last month, a new trend
started developing during
the homework portion of
the After School Program.
Two young girls, respectively in grade 5 and 6,
spontaneously offered to
help First grade students
with their homework. Needless to say, the younger ones
were thrilled. After a while, other older classmates began to
ask about tutoring and mentoring younger students, as well.
This spark has led to something truly wonderful in the After
School Program. On most days now, Grade 1 students receive
one-on-one help from an older student. The kids have come
to look up to them and look forward to their support. Not
only are they benefiting from the personalized tutoring, the
older students feel valued and grateful for the opportunity to
help those in need. And, they’re gaining valuable volunteer
experience.
We are very proud of our new student tutors. Count on us to
do all that we can to ensure that this new trend lasts.
Chris Rasytinis
Family Programs Manager
September 15, 2014
Dear Reverend Lisson,
It was such a surprise and such a joy to see that Saint Columba
House is still standing, faithful to its mission to help people.
I was once myself a youth at Saint Columba, from the age of
12 to 15. This was in the 1940s. Reverend Brown was in charge
then and had us boys playing floor hockey in the basement.
And not only that, he would take us every Tuesday to the
Montreal Forum, which is now gone, to watch the then-Junior
Canadiens’ play hockey. These were no ordinary players, I tell
you: Jean Béliveau, Bernard (Boum-Boum) Geoffrion, Dickie
Moore, Jacques Plante and so many more. All these talented
hockey players made it to the Hockey Hall of Fame. How lucky
we were to witness history in the making.
When I look back on those years, hanging around at Saint
Columba House under Rev. Brown’s benevolent eye and
supervision, staying out of trouble while some of the kids I
went to school with ended up at The Shawbridge Boys Farm,
That’s when I realize just how fortunate I was to be there.
I will always be grateful to Saint Columbia House. I truly
believe it helped me make me who I am today. Thank you!
May God bless each and every one of you for continuing to be
the leaders of your community.
Bobby Perrin
A happy 76 year old