YOUR RIGHTS AS A DONOR If at anytime you would like to change the amount of mail you receive from us, please contact the Development Team at 905-528-7625 x239, and we would be happy to comply with your request.

In addition, Living Rock Ministries assures its donors that personal information is not used for commercial purposes. We do not rent, sell, trade or share our donor information. Personal information is kept confidential and is used only to mail you information about our services.

30 Wilson St., Hamilton ON L8R 1C5

Phone: 905-528-7625 CHARITABLE#: 88345 8812 RR0001

Check out Living Rock’s New Website www.livingrock.ca

Wednesday February 6, 2013 Hamilton Convention Centre

Tickets make great stocking stuffers—available now SPONSORS:

Upcoming Events Special Donations and Memorials In Memory of: Received From: Brandon Musgrave Commonwealth of Dominica Assoc. Caroline Scott Forget Gertrude Forget Chester Paddock Staff of Living Rock Ministries Echo Rain Alan & Karen Craig Thomas & Elizabeth O’Brien Eve Brown Ken & Eva Kupisz Linda Drummond Staff of Living Rock Ministries Richard Cutaia Anonymous Cellar Dwellers Christa & Dawn Ryerson Concenzio & Antoinetta Tirabassi Daniel Gasbarrini Jonathan Fairbanks June Wilkinson Scotiabank Staff Fund Sharon Porty Sharon Rutter William & Irene Day Ted Semple Alan & Karen Craig

Faith In Action

Thanks to the Westlawn Homechurch, from The Meeting House who have been collecting money for pasta sauce now for 3 years. On average the group delivers 75-100 cans each month...wow!

Ministry Partners

McMaster Meal Exchange

raised 3,489 pounds of food for the

Living Rock youth- focused Food Bank.

Rosedale Senior Centre raised $951 for

Living Rock through their Tea Room at the

Mum Show.

Founded 1985 905-528-ROCK (7625) www.livingrock.ca Winter 2012/13

BOOK YOUR 2013 SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT *see website for Speakers Bureau & topics

As you plan your calendar for the new year, please consider booking either Alan Craig, Founder & Executive Director of the Living Rock, or a Living Rock Staff Member, to come and speak at your church or group. Living Rock would love to come and highlight the wonderful work, which has both sustained and blessed the ministry to youth-at-risk. The Living Rock Staff members can give insight into:

Specific areas of working with youth-at-risk provide opportunities for hands-on-experience show you how you can help support the Living Rock

“Meet The Street Urban Ministry Training” BOOK A SPEAK, VIDEO OR MEET THE STREET

SERVICE PROJECT 905-528-7625 x224

“25 Days of Christmas” If you are thinking of creative ways to stand with the Rock this Christmas season, you may consider some of the following suggestions as a way to bless the youth: Gift Cards From: Giant Tiger, Jackson Square, Limeridge Mall, Toy Stores, Subway, Tim Hortons Hygiene products: Soap, Shampoo, Toothbrushes, Tooth Paste, Combs, Hair Brushes, Chapstick Winter Clothes: Socks, Gloves, Hats, Scarves, Hoodies Useful Items: Musical Instruments (Guitars, Keyboards), Sports Balls, Bikes, Headphones, Movie Passes

Sponsors Include: Join the sponsors for 2012 “Opera on 

Christmas Blessing” 

By: Alan Craig Founder/Executive Director Living Rock Ministries

Purchase your copy of The Living Rock; Between Me & A Hard Place or the Soupfest Collections Cookbook today!

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

Sign up to become one of our monthly supporters for a gift of $27/month or greater and

receive a FREE copy of the Soupfest Collection containing $300 in 2-4-1 coupons and great recipes. This is sure to make a

terrific gift for someone special (including yourself).

Simply visit our website at www.livingrock.ca and click “donate.” Complete the form indicating that you wish to make a donation. If you wish to become a monthly partner we will mail out a Soupfest Recipe Collection to you

upon receiving your first monthly gift.

You can also call and schedule a visit at 905-528-ROCK (7625) x239 or x250

It’s hard to believe that we are in our 27th year of ministry. I often share with the team and supporters that I never imagined what Living Rock Ministries would become when we started supporting youth in November 1985. Today, Living Rock offers more than 20 programs and services that are successful in engaging, encouraging and equipping youth-at-risk. We thank our Heavenly Father for His provision and blessing. We see lives changed daily as we invest into the future of our communities most vulnerable population, at-risk-youth. I am mindful of the sacrifice, hard work and dedication that has been poured into this ministry by the countless volunteers, students and partners over the years, many of whom I wish I could acknowledge personally. Sometimes what you do at Living Rock may seem to go unnoticed; those who sort and stock shelves in the Food Bank, those who are involved in peeling the 200 lbs of potatoes served each week, and those who get all the dishes cleaned and put away. The kitchen is restored to cleanliness, in a way that you would never guess that 900 meals are served each week. Thank you for your dedication. In December while some people are winding down, we are winding up for Operation Christmas Blessing. We push even harder to ensure that each youth and their children will receive a toy, participate in celebrations and experience what Christmas should be. How can we ask the staff, volunteers and supporters to give more than they already have to make our “25 Days of Christmas” a success? We ask because we know how meaningful it is to bless each youth and bring the joy and the love of Christ in the season. We are privileged to share in their joy as we share in community. This joy I speak of is what fills us, fuels us and inspires us. There are opportunities for you to share in this joy too. We have special opportunities for giving and volunteering throughout Christmas and the entire year. I am grateful to God for all our funders who have come alongside Living Rock to enhance our programs. This year I am especially thankful for World Vision Canada who not only have financially supported Rock Resources Reloaded Program but have also blessed our leadership team through mentorship at Freeform Training. We love what we do because we see hope and faith in action each day. We are always thankful to share the stories of hope with your community group, church or place of employment.

1. Bob Charters, Chair of the Board at Gala 2. Ellen Devine, a long time volunteer. 3. Anne Marie Pavlov cuts youth hair at Wellness Night 4. Food Bank Team in action

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Active Young Mothers (AYM) is a new program that Living Rock is involved with in partnership with the Hamilton YWCA. AYM offers fitness and nutritional opportunities and guidance for young Mothers and their babies. The program runs Monday and Wednesday morning from 9:30 - 11:30am.

Monday - Ottawa St. YWCA Wednesday - MacNab St. YWCA

For further details, please contact Val Campbell at 905-528-7625 x223

My name is Cristian. I am a recent graduate of the TRI-Rock Program. I am writing this letter to reflect on my time at

the Living Rock and to also reflect on the changes that have taken place due to the experience that I have had. I can

honestly say that I have learned more about myself in the past 4 months than I could have ever imagined possible. The

effects of this program have brought on a huge shift, not only in my professional life but in my personal day to day

habits as well. I entered into this program when I was going through a crisis in my life, I was not sure of who I was or

what I could do to increase my chances at a successful and fruitful life.

I started this program with little to no confidence. I've

always struggled with anxiety and am usually described as the "shy guy." I was also dealing with the grief of my parents

passing away and was truly looking for some guidance and structure as both seemed to have left my life.

I learned that there are some people out there that genuinely care about you and care about your existence. It is a rarity. I know some people that have done other programs and it’s less personal. You can sense that this is more personal, that the staff care and you trust their intentions. It was hard not to be genuine back. I felt like there was personal support in TRI-Rock – I learned a lot about myself through interacting with other people. I needed the other people to help understand myself better. Thanks again – it is hard to express in words what I got out of it. I am still not sure of all the positive results that I have gained from it. I can sense that there is a huge difference in me that I can’t fully explain. I will be trying to chase this change the rest of my life – now that I know it’s there and have experienced the genuine benefits of it. That has been the most important part for me because it was unexpected. I didn’t know that I would get something long lasting that would change me as an employee and as a person. I urge people never to give up on their lives and to realize that there are amazing supportive people out there that are willing to assist you in life. The Rock was that place for me. Thank you.

Surprise in the Midst of Crisis

Active Young Mothers