Africafiles
( www.africafiles.org ) is one of the nine outreach projects supported by Bloor Street.
Bloor Street United Church has a long history of solidarity and support for the people of Angola. Perhaps you remember Maria Chela, Kathryn and Tommy Tucker or Millicent Howse?
AfricaFiles is a group of some dozen volunteers based in Toronto who, on a humble scale, work for social change - particularly for human rights and economic justice .
We draw on alternative sources from Africa-and by Africans as much as possible. We have a good collection of articles on NEPAD (New Programme for African Development Kananaskis) from African Non-Government Organizations - www.africafiles.org/nepad.asp
Our most unique sites are about Sudan, Angola, and Economic Justice. You can see the total picture if you can take a moment to check out our site: www.africafiles.org
We have posted over 1000 articles since our launch in June 2002- under some 15 headings - mostly from NGO, church, community and personal sources in Africa.
You are, of course, welcome to reprint anything on the site ; it is a free site. If you wish, you may add yourself to any of the mailings. Three or four e-mail articless will come to you each month, or you can just go to the site as you need to. Not everything is mailed out, but 75% is to over 800 "subscribers".
AfricaFiles is a network of volunteers committed to promoting human rights and economic justice in Africa and to hearing African perspectives and alternative analyses for viable human development in Africa. info@africafiles.orgPlease also see Don Nicol for more info.
Refugee Outreach Project 2003
For many years, Bloor Streeters have played a role in welcoming refugees to Toronto. The difficulties of being a refugee are many, and the uncertainties of refugee status make it hard for people to set down roots and rebuild their lives. At the fall 2002 Congregational meeting, BSUC approved two year funding from the endowment fund to increase our outreach to this very vulnerable group of people. The project will hire a part time outreach worker to help us intentionally increase our ability to support and provide pastoral care to refugees. In addition to linking refugees with resources and supports in the BSUC congregation, the outreach worker will look at links with other faith communities in Toronto for this work. The hiring for the outreach worker will be underway in February. Watch the bulletin and future newsletters for project updates and opportunities to be involved. For more information, contact Sue Kaiser via Church office.
The Refugee Outreach Page contains more info on the project, plans.
