Representatives from city hall, local churches, community organizations and Thorold business people have joined forces in their commitment to working as a team for the municipality’s greater good.
Their goals range from improving transportation and communication between the city and its various agencies to helping its youth, poverty-stricken, and other marginalized sectors, as well as working toward welcoming new Thorold residents, responding to changing demographics as the city grows, and many others.
The breakfast meeting built on a prior Partnering for Thorold event held at Four Points Sheraton Hotel in 2018, spearheaded by One Church Thorold.
After identifying 20 basic needs in the community, attendees were asked to determine specific ways in which they could contribute, based on their resources—of space, services, or skills.
As a guideline, Terance Schilstra, interim pastor of The Village Church, read the One Church main vision, which is “To participate in the transformation of our city, to bring our community closer together,” as well as help eradicate poverty, support Community Care, encourage health, and cultivate culture in the community.
“We do events at Prince of Wales (School) every month,” added Schilstra. “Each kid in our community should be connected to each one of you, not just to me.”
Operating as a group with integrity will build confidence in the community, suggested Bill van der Klippe, one of the group’s founding members.
“How does a family have the confidence to work with an organization?” he asked. “For me, it’s word-of-mouth. If we partner together and try to keep ourselves above board and promote each other through word-of-mouth referrals, it really helps. Integrity, trust, rapport and respect are also important. Now we have a vision and goals and we also have some resources and tools.”
Van der Klippe said he could help support educational endeavours through his print shop, Print Three.
“I’ve been in community development all my life,” said the city’s Tourism Agent, Sue Morin, “but never been involved with the churches at a grass roots level. We are participating in the transformation of Thorold.”
Kathy Morgan, Canon of St. John’s Anglican Church, and Dan Pelletier, executive director of the Thorold Community Activities Group, offered their respective facilities for hosting future events or meetings.
“At St. John’s, we have space available and volunteers and partnerships, which we are willing to expand with other agencies,” noted Morgan.
“At Living Water (Church),” offered Pastor Rob Kamerman, “we have space and a children’s and youth ministry, and we have volunteers available for events.”
“We have a lot of facilities,” added Coun. Fred Neale, speaking on behalf of the city, “and can hopefully partner with events and community initiatives.”
Mark Kawabe offered to design a free website for the new group, and encouraged members to post events on his free event calendar on his Niagara Guide website: www.theniagaraguide.com.
Tony Vandermaas, who’s spent several years volunteering on numerous Thorold committees, said he’d be willing to pitch in with his organizational experience.
John D’Amico offered to promote the group’s efforts through the Niagara Centre Board of Trade and Commerce (NCBOTAC) platform, and likewise, Nancy Waters agreed to promote any future events on the Port Robinson Proud Facebook page, as well as through the group’s newsletter.
She shared a message from James Symons, an active local volunteer, who said he hopes to build the group’s awareness by hosting an upcoming Winterfest event.
“It’s exciting that we are all here as partners,” said Hilda van der Klippe, who led the round table discussion. “We need to give ourselves a name, and at our next meeting we can have input on it, and present a plan or overview of its mandate and start implementing events.”
The next meeting will be held on Feb. 12.
