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The Redeemed Christian Church of God North America

Community Relations Initiative Canada (CRIC)

Pastor Femi OlawaleCountry Coordinator - RCCG Canada Regional Pastor— RCCGNA Region 7

Pastor Yinka DadaRegional Pastor - RCCGNA Region 10

Pastor Bayo Adediran(CRIC National Director)

Secretariat AddressSuite 100 60 8th StreetNew Westminster BC V3M 3P1Tel: 604 526 7732 Email: admin@rccgbc.org

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PROVINCE 1 Contact: Pst Tayo Ojajuni

RCCG COVENANT CHAPEL 66 Toro Road North York,

ON M3J 2A8 Tel: 416 633 3288

PROVINCE 2Contact: Pst Wale Akinsiku RCCG HOUSE OF PRAISE

30885 Lenworth Drive Mississauga, ON L4X 3A2

Tel: 905 624 5673

REGION 10

REGION 7

PROVINCE 1 Contact: Pst Bayo Adediran RCCG GRACE CHAPEL

Suite 100 60 8th Street New Westminster,

BC V3M 3P1 Tel: 604 526 7732

PROVINCE 2Contact: Pst Tam Brisibe

CORNERSTONE CHAPEL424 Acadia Drive SE Calgary,

AB T2J 0B1Tel: 403 554 7224PROVINCE 3

Contact: Pst Ayo AdejumobiRHEMA CHAPEL

10830 96 Street Edmonton, AB T5H 2J9

Tel: 780 461 4210

CRIC CONTACT CENTERS

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Pastor E. A. AdeboyeGeneral Overseer - RCCG Worldwide

Pastor James FadelSATGO - Chairman RCCGNA

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Our vision as shared by the SATGO / Chairman RCCGNA is threefold1. To serve as a bridge between the church and the community in which we operate

2. To identify the needs of the people, both Christian and none Christians with the aim of providing basic needs of life as the Lord gives the grace

3. To organize relief programs on behalf of the mis-sion in Canada to meet the need of the community

At The National LevelWhile all parishes are encouraged to continue to meet the need in their local community, there is a need for RCCGNA to have one common focus at the national level Food Bank project/Feed the Need CampaignFor now, our vision in CRIC at the national level as shared and championed by the chairman, Pastor

James Fadel is to SUPPORT FOOD BANK PROJECTS Operation Open DoorEach parish is encouraged to start OPERATION OPEN DOOR - At any given time a hungry person should be able to stop by our churches and grab something to eat, within an allotted time. None should be allowed to go to bed hungry in a day. News Letter“The CRICket” is the official publication of CRIC. It is a bi-annual Newsletters to showcase the activities of CRIC in all our parishes across Canada and to educate mem-bers of the mission on the importance and benefits of Community Relations Initiative.

OUR VISION

CRIC is simply about touching and improving lives. Whenever Jesus comes into the life of an individual such a person cannot remain the same again. We have seen several examples of this in the bible (Acts 10:38) Jesus went about the community meeting needs. In the same context, as children of God, whenever we come in contact with another person, our connection must make impact in such a way that their lives are transformed for the better. This handbook is a simple guide and will outline some of the things that we can do as a church to make impact in our communities. Some of the programs and activities included here maybe things that you are doing already , if that is the case then keep up the good work. For others it can be the starting point of great things for your parish in the communities where you operate. The focus of CRIC is to “Feed the need” …. Wherever they are, we should make every effort to identify and meet them. On most occasions, those in need will not come to us therefore we will have to be proactive and go seek them out. Let us get connected and involved in our local communities . For I was hungry and ye gave me meat, I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger, and ye took me in : naked and ye clothed , I was sick and ye visited me, I

was in prison and ye came unto me Matt 25:35— 36

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CRIC is simply about touching and improving lives. Whenever Jesus comes into the life of an individual such a person cannot remain the same again. We have seen several examples of this in the bible (Acts 10:38) Jesus went about the community meeting needs. In the same context, as children of God, whenever we come in contact with another person, our connection must make impact in such a way that their lives are transformed for the better. This handbook is a simple guide and will outline some of the things that we can do as a church to make impact in our communities. Some of the programs and activities included here may be things that you are doing already, if that is the case then keep up the good work. For others it can be the starting point of great things for your parish in the communities where you operate. The focus of CRIC is to “Feed the need”. Wherever they are, we should make every effort to identify and meet them. On most occasions, those in need will not come to us therefore we will have to be proactive and go seek them out.

CRIC is simply about touching and improving lives. Whenever Jesus comes into the life of an individual such a person cannot remain the same again. We have seen several examples of this in the bible (Acts 10:38) Jesus went about the community meeting needs. In the same context, as children of God, whenever we come in contact with another person, our connection must make impact in such a way that their lives are transformed for the better. This handbook is a simple guide and will outline some of the things that we can do as a church to make impact in our communities. Some of the programs and activities included here maybe things that you are doing already , if that is the case then keep up the good work. For others it can be the starting point of great things for your parish in the communities where you operate. The focus of CRIC is to “Feed the need” …. Wherever they are, we should make every effort to identify and meet them. On most occasions, those in need will not come to us therefore we will have to be proactive and go seek them out. Let us get connected and involved in our local communities . For I was hungry and ye gave me meat, I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger, and ye took me in : naked and ye clothed , I was sick and ye visited me, I

was in prison and ye came unto me Matt 25:35— 36

Let us get connected and involved in our local communities

For I was hungry and ye gave me meat, I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger, and ye took me in : naked and ye clothed , I was sick and ye visited me, I was in prison and ye came unto me Matt 25:35— 36

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The mission of the Community Relations Initiative is to touch the lives of the people in the community in which it operates and help them to make heaven. It is also to encourage integration by providing services to the community and partnering with other organizations in the community.

Focus programming aims at the very basic of life, particularly nourishment of spiritual and physical food. By providing increased contact and access to the church for lowincome families and at risk youths through food, shelter and rehabilitative services CRIC thereby encourages self-reliance, active lifestyles and health & nutritional changes.

Partnership with existing organization through financial donations, volunteerism and eventually niche services provision will create valuable strategic alliance. Currently several individual parishes run programs such as English as a Second Language (ESL) , skills development, community kitchens , meal programs,

OUR GOALS

musical mentorship, sports development, community training hospital & prison outreach and first contact projects. By formalizing CRIC, RCCG has made significant impact in communities across Canada through the three focal points of homelessness, Food security and Youths. The skills required to make this possible are already in the churches and ready to be tapped into. Let us make the best use of the resources we have to fulfill this great cause whether through our professional callings, experiences or acquired knowledge.

Submit articles along with photos and or videos of your CRIC Projects/Activities for the publication in the CRICket Magazine to the CRIC Secretariat by February 25th each year

All CRIC Teams are expected to participate in the RCCGNA Canada conventions by showcasing their event in the past year and encouraging their community to participate in the convention

Partake in CRIC CANstruction challenge at the convention. Provide info and photos for the CRIC table at the CRIC table

ANNUAL REQUIREMENTS & CONVENTION

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WHAT HAS CRIC BEEN UP TO?In 2011 chairman of RCCGNA Pastor James Fadel launched the Community Relations Initiative Canada (CRIC) with the aim of broadening the vision of the outreach ministry within the Redeemed Christian Church God North America. In broadening the vision, CRIC would help to bring focus and structure to our outreach processes while providing spiritual and physical nourishments to those within the communities where we operate.Over the years CRIC has managed to accomplished some of the following:• To feed the needy• Promote food security• Facilitate access to nutritious Food• Encourage Healthy lifestyles• Supplement Food Budgets• Provide adult/youth food & healthy learning• Revitalize communities and neighbourhoods & develop social support network

CRIC seeks to fulfill the above mandates through a variety of initiatives which include among other things, engaging the communities at the local level through formation of

foodbanks, soup kitchens, community kitchens, gardens, health promotion, food safety, skill programs and development of social skills. Since its inception CRIC has achieved a lot both at the national and local levels. At the national level, CRIC has partnered with Food Bank Canada in helping to feed thousands of individuals through our donations both in cash and kind. In 2013, the focus was on babies between the ages of 0 – 3 years at that time there was a great thrust to provide healthy food for the babies. CRIC was able to make cash donations to Food Bank Canada as well as donation of baby products. In 2016, CRIC launched out into First Nations territory by making a special donation to two first nation groups in Alberta. These donations were triggered by our research into first nation needs.

At the local level, several parishes and zones made significant contribution within their communities in an effort to meet the needs that exist. These programs have proven to be quite beneficial. Partnerships have been developed with community food banks, prisons, hospitals, care homes and Homeless Shelters. These initiatives are ongoing and local

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CRIC groups are constantly seeking ways to improve these efforts.

THE PLANAs partnership plays an important role in establishing community initiatives, it is imperative to get to know the key partners in our communities, to form alliances and encourage joint projects. CRIC organisers should get to know the local food resources in your area, introduce your services to the city staffs, councilors and mayors to let them know of your programs and activities.

Make your CRIC projects part of your broader parish plans example if you are doing a building project, it would be great to include a community kitchen or some facilities for which you will connect with the community other than through Sunday worship services. We should remember that the church is not about an empire building nor is it about making name for oneself, it is all about Jesus , who as a man of the community went about do-ing good (Act 10:38). Our master, the Lord Jesus has given

us same the mandate. We are not only to make disciples of nations, we have been called to lighten up our world as the light and bring sweetness, taste and preservation to our communities.. As the salt of the earth doing good to our community, feeding the need will make us follow in the footsteps of the one who has called us to virtue. Welcome on board to CRIC as we impact the Canadian Community together.

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AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO INCORPORATE CRIC INTO YOUR BUILDING PROJECT VISION

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AN EXAMPLE OF HOW TO INCORPORATE CRIC INTO YOUR BUILDING PROJECT VISION

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Identify a parish CRIC Representative

Identify a team of 3 - 5 Volunteers

Define your geographic boundaries of area to serve

Locate closest foodbank or pantry and obtain address, contact person and number.

Arrange with the foodbank/pantry to volunteer monthly

Setup CRIC “can box” to collect non perishable food items to be taken to Food-bank/panty monthly.

Setup your financial dona-tion box to fundraise for programs and projects

PREL

IMIN

ARY

SET

UP

COMMUNITY NEED ASSESSMENT & EVALUATIONS

Setup a three person committee to evaluate the community • Describe the needs of the community, giving special consideration to the felt needs of the people living there Develop needs assessment survey to suit community

• Study the area’s demographics and life situation

• Determine the food, housing, clothing, education, safety, job training, counselling and spiritual needs

• Survey the community and determine other programs serving area residents .Collate data and information from assessments

• The result may not be food related Identify and prioritise evident pressing needsResearch and review existing programming solutions to needs identified, locally and internationallyDevelop detailed schematics of program and projects to serve the community needs identified; ensuring spiritual nourishment and food security, features where feasible

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CONNECTING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL• Identify the civic and political structure and key persons in the community • Identify the print media and communication channels that are the most effective in the community • Develop standard letter templates to communicate to all of the above.• Letter of introduction • Letters of intention • Letters of Support • Invitations to event• Press Release • Identify areas where parishioners can participate or serve effectively to create strategic alliances• Develop strategic Alliances inside and outside of your local area• Establish criteria for interacting with other agencies and churches • Initiate relationship with other churches and agencies that wish to participate

SETTING UP SHOP Ensuring CRIC brand set is customized for your parish • Logo• Letter heads• Envelopes• T-Shirts Assemble a public relations team that will document and archive all activities both print and visual media

Setup CRIC Financial Templates and systems

Familiarize with Canada Revenue Agency guidelines that govern your activities.

Link up with other CRIC programs across the country

Be seen and known locally and on the worldwide web.

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CRIC IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY

CRIC IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITIES

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CRIC DONATION PRESENTATION

PASTOR E.A ADEBOYE & PASTOR JAMES FADEL

TO

FOOD BANK CANADA

MISSISSAUGA FOOD BANK

FIRST NATION COMMUNITY IN ALBERTA

CRIC DONATION PRESENTATIONPASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE AND

PASTOR JAMES FADEL PRESENT TO FOOD BANK MISSISSAUGA AND FIRST

NATION COMMUNITY IN ALBERTA

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CRIC

Impacting the community through

sports

CRIC IMPACTING OUR COMMUNITIES THROUGH SPORTS

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FEED THE NEED

FEED THE NEED

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YOUTHS PROGRAMS • After school program

• Health Smart

• Sports Challenge

• Safety Rules

• Book Club

• Wilderness Program

• Beat street (Music)

• Art Attack

• Buddy Program

• Techno Program

OTHER PROGRAMS • Cold Weather emergency

kits

• Develop a building worker

force

• Cold weather emergency

shelter

• Acquire shelter property

CO-OP DEVELOPMENT• Food

• Housing

FOOD SECURITY INITIATIVES

• Run a Soup Line

• Food buying co-ops

• Multicultural foodbanks

• Food Skills development

• Community Kitchen

• Community Gardens

• Seasonal & Emergency

Hampers

• Develop Agricultural

Initiatives

• Acquire commercial food

processing facilities

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Starting in 2017, two groups (one from each region) will be awarded The Best Community Initiative Award during the RCCG Canada convention. The idea behind this is to encourage and support those CRIC groups and their projects that are making impact in people’s lives within the community where they operate. Your group could be the next winner from your region How to participate? • Document all your CRIC projects throughout the year supported by pictures and videos of your efforts and show how these efforts have impacted the lives of people within your community. • Submit your report to your Zonal Coordinator and or the Provincial Pastor not later than January 31st each year. • Your zone or province should then submit same to the CRIC Secretariat by February 25th of that year (No late entry will be accommodated). • All reports will be featured in the next issue of the CRIC Magazine

The winners will be announced at the next RCCG Canada Convention. The winners will receive cash awards and a plaque. The cash received is to be used to further enhance the group’s CRIC initiatives. Each Parish should have a designated CRIC representative appointed by the Parish Pastor.

The details of the CRIC Representatives are to be sent to the CRIC Secretariat -

Suite 100 60 8th Street New Westminster BC V3M 3 P1 or email: cricrccg@yahoo.com

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CANstruction is an engaging team building event that can also support the food bank and pantry in your locale. It is where a team of people get together to creatively build a larger than life structure out of en rely cans of food. It requires design, commitment discussions, thoughts and manpower. Its an excellent way of bringing groups together to communicate, work and have some fun as well as support a community cause.Steps to take DevelopCANstruction team Set date for CANstruction for events Develop Fundraising for CANstruction Identify CANstruction designs Designate a CANstruction day during the summer months to be accompanied by BBQ

CANstruction is an engaging team building event that can also supports the food bank and pantry in your locale. It is where a team of peo-ple get together to creatively build a larger than life structure out of entirely cans of food. It requires design, commitment discussions, thoughts and manpower. Its an excellent way of bringing groups together to communicate, work and have some fun as well as supporting a community cause.

Steps to take

Develop CANstruction team

Set date for CANstruction for events

Develop Fundraising for CANstruction

Identify CANstruction designs

Designate a CANstruction day during the summer months to be accompanied by BBQ

CANSTRUCTION CANSTRUCTION

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THE FUTUREThe community Relations Initiative Canada (CRIC) , is very excited and enthusiastic about the prospects of engaging the communities it serves and partnering with organisations at the national and local level. We believe that there are great benefits to be had for our organisation and the com-munity. For as we are blessed by His Grace in our lives, so we must share this Grace.

The bible reminds us:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with ac ons and in truth.19 This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 1 John 3:16In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive”. Acts 20:3

The future of CRIC in your parish will depend on the dynamics of your individual community.

The opportunities are boundless with the formation of:Social enterprises Family Life Centres SchoolsAlliances with Universities Alliances with Medical Centres

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT In order for CRIC to effect community development the following steps are essential: Create Partnership (Short Term) Visibly Participate (Medium Term) Develop Community based on niche programming (Long Term)

At the national level: Create partnership with country wide organisation in the form of donations, sponsorship and or presentations

At the Parish Level: Participate in local events Organize and participate in Fundraisers Develop volunteer work teams to parti cipate in local events

Develop local niche programming to address gaps and ca-tering to multi barrier community members

USEFUL STRATEGIESRAISE UP COMMUNITY

MEMBERS TO WALK WITH CHRIST, GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL, PURSUE

HIGHER EDUCATION , GET JOBS TO PROVIDE FOR

THEIR FAMILES ETC

TARGET YOUNG CHILDREN TO PREVENT DAMAGE FROM GANGS,

LACK OF EDUCATION AND DRUG ADDICTION

USE PROGRAMS THAT DEVELOP CHRISTIAN

COMMUNITIES LEADERS

PROVIDE MENTORING PROGRAMS AND TRAINING FOR INDIVIDUALS TO TAKE THEIR PLACE AS LEADERS

IN SOCIETY

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CRIC IN LINE WITH CRA

It is very imperative to be in line with the Canada revenue Agency at all times, hence as we fund-raise for our activities, please be in constant touch with CRA. Below are some useful excerpts and links:

What is fundraising?As a general rule, fundraising is any activity that: Include a solicitation of support for cash or in kind donations - Solicitation of support include sales of goods or service to raise funds

Is part of the research and planning for future solicitations of support; or

Is related to a solicitation of support (for example, efforts to raise profile of charity, donor stewardship, or donor recognition)

Fundraising does not include requests for funding for government or from other registered charities, or the operation of a related business as defined in the income

Tax Act.Recruitment of volunteers is not considered a solicitation of support.

Fundraising includes activities carried out by the registered charity, or someone acting on its behalf.

In circumstances where a receipt is the issued for any part of a transaction, the activity is deemed to be a solicitation of support and therefore the cost associated with the en re activity must automatically be allocated to fundraising expenditures.

When Should cost associated with donor recognition be reported as fundraising?

Donor recognition is the acknowledgment or thanking of a person who has made a gift. The cost of gift or other forms of acknowledgment to thank donors must be reported as fundraising expenses unless they are of nominal value.The CRA considers recognition with a per donor cost $75.00 or 10% of the donation (which ever is less) as nominal.

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NOTES

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Food Bank of British Columbia313 720 6th streetNew Westminster BC V3L 3C5Telephone: 604 830 3989 Fax: 604 544 4007 www.foodbankbritishcolumbia.ca foodbanksbc@gmail.com

Banques Alimentaires Quebec3005, boul. Matte, bureau 100Brossard QC J4Y 2P4Telephone: 450 444 4040 Fax: 450 444 4757 www.banquesalimentaires.org info@banquesAlimentaires.org

New Brunswick Association of Food BanksC/o Grand Falls Regional Food Bank363 Portage Road Grand Falls, NB E3Z 1M2Telephone: 506 473 2001www.foodbanksnb.com

Alberta Food Banks30—50 Bellrose DriveSt Albert, AB T8N 3LETel.: 780 488 9719 Fax: 780 488 9716 www.afbna.ca

P.E.I Association of Food Banks33 Belmont StreetPO Box 1177Charlestown PEI C1A 7M8Tel.: 902 892 7092 Fax: 902 628 2054 www.feedpei.org

Foodbanks of Saskatchewan Corporationc/o Ba leford District Food & Re-source Centre PO Box 657North Ba leford SK S6V 0Z9Telephone: 306 937 5505Fax: 306 937 7063

Manitoba Association of Food Banksc/o Winnipeg Harvest 1085 Winnipeg Avenue Winnipeg MB R3E 0S2 Tel.: 204 982 3663 Fax: 204 775 4180

Ontario Association of Food Banks555 Bloor Street West, 2nd FllorToronto, ON M5S 1Y6Tel.: 416 656 4100 Fax: 416 656 4104 www.oa .ca

Feed Nova Scotia213 Bedford Highway Halifax NS B3M 2J9 Tel.: 902 457 1900 Fax: 902 457 4500 www.feednovasco a.ca