Forward House.ca
407 Chalmers Ave R2L 0G3 Winnipeg, MB, Canada

We are excited to share our latest newsletter with encouraging updates, developments and accomplishments from Forward House. Just click on this link: https://forwardhouse.ca//uploads/2021/04/FH-Newsletter-Q1-

Forward House is committed to the community that we live, work and play in. We did a street clean up by picking up garbage to keep things beautiful. Now, spring can come!

We are all born with a creative side in us. At Forward House we have a lot of talented artists! Every Saturday renowned Manitoba artist Clyde Finlay brings out the best in our men! #Kinship #Compassion #Hope

What is Forward House? We are a community that is deeply rooted in Elmwood since 1992. We share life together with men from difficult backgrounds. We are here to support, care for and love each other with all of the challenges that life brings when people come together from trauma, addiction and neglect. We feel the call of God to love our neighbor as ourselves. Want to find out more? Visit our website, posts on FB or call us. You can also donate money to make a difference. We'd love to connect with you! #kinship #compassion #hope

Here are some thoughts on International Women’s day from us at Forward House: 1. None of us would be here if it weren’t for women who went through the struggles of giving birth to us and raising us with a lot of love, courage and kindness and some sweat and tears. 2. To the women in our lives mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, nieces, wife’s, and partners: You make our lives richer, fuller, and more joyful! Every day of the year! 3. We as men have a responsibility to stop... abuse and violence against women and to protect, cherish and nurture! Every day of the year. Happy International Women’s day! #ChooseToChallenge See more

As each of us has growing concerns regarding our privacy, so do the residents of Forward House. Out of respect for their request for privacy, no photos or names of residents will be shared on any social media without the resident’s prior permission. Names shown below have been changed accordingly. This week, we would like to share a few testimonials from residents of Forward House . . . I’ve been at Forward House [a number of] years. I’m now sober. I now see that there i...s life without drugs and alcohol. It brings me joy to see other guys here moving forward, changing their lives. I love the Words of Jesus, He who would be greatest of all would be servant to all. Donald By the time I arrived at Forward House, I was totally burnt out. I was a ticking time bomb. There are many times I should have been asked to leave but they knew I would not be able to make it on my own. Did not love myself. By the way, I was a Christian a sick one. Today [as a senior citizen] I call Forward House home. Even though I lost everything, I thank the good Lord that He has brought a lot of healing to my life. Lord Bless All. Martin When I got to Forward House [a few] years ago, my life was in shambles. I had no one left to turn to. Forward House got me clean and sober and because of them and the grace of God I am still clean today and have my life back. God bless Forward House and God bless you all. Brian More testimonials will be shared in the weeks and months to come. God is at work at Forward House - residents find a safe, supportive, and healing environment. We celebrate God’s faithfulness to Forward House, and thank you for your continued prayers and support of this ministry. May God bless each and every one of you.

In spite of all of the difficulties and challenges that the Covid-19 issue has presented, some good things have also occurred as a result of these challenges. At Forward House, one of those good things has to do with worship and the practice of our faith by our resident family and staff. The stay at home mode that was implemented for the safety of the residents and staff meant all outings were cancelled, including attending church. This was unwelcome news, especially as Ea...ster approached. But that disappointment birthed a new activity, The Gathering - Sunday morning conversations about matters of faith in our lives. Attendance at these one-hour gatherings is voluntary, and consistently an average of 12-14 residents gather at 11:00 am each Sunday. A Gathering was held on Good Friday where we celebrated communion, followed by an Easter morning Gathering. A number of beautiful things have come out of this new activity. There are residents who cannot leave Forward House to worship for personal reasons, yet The Gathering gives them an opportunity to worship in a safe, relaxed, and conversational setting. Also, a number of the men have since committed to daily devotional time with the Lord, thanks in part to a donation of Jesus Calling books by one of our supporters. To date, The Gathering has discussed topics such as giving and gratitude, prayer, hope and the good things that are coming out of this time of isolation. The Lord is truly blessing and guiding us in these days of challenge just like He said He would.

Giving Tuesday Now is the perfect time to give back and pay forward by helping others. The residents and staff of Forward House have prepared an additional 250 Mercy Bags for distribution today to our partner ministries at Centre of Hope (Salvation Army), Siloam Mission and Union Gospel Mission. The pandemic has placed additional limitations on many ministries’ ability to feed those in need. As the men gather to prepare these bags, there is a genuine willingness and enthus...iasm as they assemble and then pray a blessing over the bags before they’re delivered. The Lord blesses us so that we can be a blessing to others. What makes this activity so special is that many of our residents have been homeless in their past and have great compassion for those living under these conditions. We’re all learning a lot from each other about what it means to give, to be grateful, to have compassion and to live in kinship with one another, as the Lord intended. See more

Our residents and staff have been helping other local ministries feed the homeless and street people through this very difficult time with the Covid-19 pandemic. Each weekend we prepare 300+ ‘Mercy Bags’ containing a sandwich, banana, and slice of banana bread (prepared in house) and give these bags to Centre of Hope (Salvation Army), Siloam Mission, and Union Gospel Mission (UGM). We will be continuing this each weekend until we’re all past this pandemic to help make sure ...these needy people get some nutritious food. In keeping with the international Giving Tuesday Now movement, scheduled for Tuesday May 5, 2020, we will be supplying these ministries with an additional 300+ ‘Mercy Bags’ for the homeless and needy, this coming week. Our residents and staff have been attempting to pay for these bags, and not impact our ministry funds. If you would like to help and contribute to this worthy undertaking, we’d really appreciate your help. It costs approximately $2.00 per bag each week and any help you can provide will allow us to continue through this pandemic and perhaps beyond as it will be some time before all these ministries are back to where they were in terms of reaching out to the needy. As the Lord gives to us, we give to others. May God bless you for considering this. Donations can be made to Forward House Ministries through CanadaHelps: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/7318

Meet Staci Bailey, our new Executive Director of Forward House.ca. In the 3 months since being appointed, she has had a positive impact on the lives of our resident men, earning their confidence and respect. They tell us she’s warm, approachable, a good listener, and has a caring and compassionate heart for people who have suffered through trauma, addictions, homelessness, incarceration etc. She brings extensive program and leadership experience working in social services..., corrections, and mental health. Staci’s passion and enthusiasm, faith foundation, interpersonal skills, and fresh perspective have quickly fostered meaningful relationships and a positive environment with encouraging hope. The added stress and anxiety that Covid-19 has placed on everyone at Forward House has required strict measures limiting exposure and protecting our residents and staff. By and large, the men have accepted the new reality. However, they’re enthusiastic and excited about helping others less fortunate, as witnessed in an earlier post. They’re looking forward to new initiatives Staci is discussing with all the residents. Staci, her husband and family are committed to their Christian faith, which guides her in her new leadership role with Forward House.ca. We value her leadership, compassion, and partnership in the ministry of Forward House.ca. Once this Covid-19 challenge is behind us, we hope to have you meet her. In the meantime, please pray for all the residents, staff and volunteers who give so much to others in need. Your continued support and commitment to this ministry is never more appreciated than now, as we journey through these difficult times together. After many years, Peter Harzan has left Forward House, and has chosen to move on to the next chapter of his life. We thank him for his many contributions to Forward House and pray God’s blessings on him.