Rena was all smiles today as she has just celebrated 7 years of being in business.

 

This wasn't part of good news but I noticed that President Chad  had a smile from ear to ear. when Dean asked him if this was his last month of being President. 

Ivana and Rena have arranged for a work morning at the Coping Center on June 14th from 800 until noon.    They need 7 painters and some help gardening.  Specialty coffees  and Tim bits will be there.  ( ( when I hear specialty coffees I assume the kind we have at our  annual Bonspiel)

 

Ivana also encouraged us to go to the website  for the Coping Center and purchase a ticket for a 2020 Corvette .http://www.copingcentre.com

 

It should be under tab fundraisers.  This organization touched Ivana personally.

Rena ,Linda and Katie are going to social distance at an anti racism rally at Queens Square  Cambridge Friday at 5pmLarry Brokenshire is taking over.Paul Codi position as Assistant District Governor at the end of June. 

Paul McMenemmy introduced David Morneau who is the Executive Director for the  Child Witness Centre.  David before taking this role in January  was a Family Law Lawyer  for 20 years in the region.
 

The Child Witness Centre http://www.childwitness.com

David showed a few short videos that unfortunately didn't work.  They are available on the website.  They are only a few  minutes long.  The short story is the Child Witness  Centre serves Guelph ,Wellington County and the Waterloo Region.  

The Advocacy program supports children and families that have suffered abuse whether things go to trial or not.  Children that our supported are less likely to become homeless,  more likely  to finish high school and boys are less likely to perpetuate abuse in their dating life.

 

The Child witness program supports children who have witnessed a crime or been victims of a crime and need to testify. 

 

The Youth Symposium is presented in April to grade 8 students.   President Chad said his children spoke highly about the program. the goal is to help children withissues such as bullying, personal accountability, substance abuse, risk taking, resiliency. and healthy dating.

David spoke about one of his concerns is that because of Covid children are not seeing doctors. teachers or coaches which are sometimes the people that spot abuse or who children see as part of their support system.  At the moment there are less reported abuses being made.    The odds are this is not a success.

 

David mentioned in honour of the passing of his mother he is matching donations made to the Child Witness Center.  He also said he would make a donation to Polio Plus.

 

Paul McMenemmy  thanked David for speaking  and President Chad  gave the official Rotary thanks.

 

Editors note.  I am not really proficient at putting website links in the bulletin so if they don't work I am sorry. I  have not had an associate to do this for me for a 17 months..