Our program for the meeting included two groups of people that were receiving support funding from our club. Representatives from each group shared information about their programs and their appreciation for the significant support that we provided through our grant to them.
President Candi introduced Sam Varteniuk, Director of the Registry Theater in Kitchener. Sam was raised in Kitchener and spend a few years in Edmonton getting additional education. While living in Edmonton, Sam was selected as a Group Study Exchange Rotary candidate to Japan. He indicated that it was a “Life Changing Experience”.
The Registry Theater is a 150 seat ‘black box’ owned by the city of Kitchener. It is functioning as an “Arts Incubator”. It is available for 280 days a year and is currently booked out until September 2016. The rental cost is $250 to $300 per night depending upon the day. Until recently a Trillium grant has been sustaining the programs. A group of Eastwood Collegiate students will be managing the AV equipment for the summer and our clubs’ $2500 grant will help keep the doors open for one more year.
President Candi then introduced a team from Forest Hill Public School who addressed the special needs of a surprisingly large group of students at their school.
Principal Peter Berndt introduced the school profile for the group. The buildings are in a very nice community but many of the students come from subsidized housing which has a household income below the poverty level. He indicated that the staff had to cancel the School camping trip because of lack of participants due to costs.
Sharon Wilson is a parent with two daughters attending the school. She is involved on the Parent Council and assists on the playground. The playground is divided into two areas with younger and older students each having their own sections. This year it was decided to improve the play areas but it was also decided not to attempt to raise funds by selling chocolates or other items which have been used previously. Instead, students have been collecting bottles for refunds and collecting clothing for those who might not be able to afford new clothing
Anne Campbell, a teacher in the school, started her presentation by using the quote “You are not you when you are hungry”. She indicated that the average income of the families in the school is $32,000. As a result there is not enough food at home to meet all of the needs including food. The staff make an apple and some crackers available for each student. Nutrition for Learning has been involved in supporting the school. A number of students prepared, sent and followed up on letters that were mailed to different organizations and businesses in the area. Our club responded to these requests and presented a check for $5000 to the group today.
