Welcoming Ms. Jean Yip, Member of Parliament for Scarborough Agincourt, to the LS Summer Camp

LS Summer Camp welcome Ms Jean Yip

Last Friday, along with the camp staff, I was honoured to welcome Ms. Jean Yip, Member of
Parliament, for Scarborough/ Agincourt, to the Living Stone summer camp in Scarborough.






In the late 1990's our sons and many other children who were in their early teen years shared a common problem: they were too old to go to summer programs designed for mostly children 12 years and under. Yet, they were too young to be hired for summer jobs where most employers hiring youths at sixteens years ago and above.

As a result, most of the teenagers under sixteen were sleeping late,  just hanging around at home, playing games and not doing much during the summer months. Along with four other women from Living Stone Assembly, we started a one week summer day program for children and teens in 1996. The program was so well received that the parents and the teens in our community wanted it extended to become a full summer program. Later on, we applied for government funding and our program was recognized and approved for a grant under the Canadian Federal Government's Summer Job Program.

The Living Stone Summer Camp has been running since 1997 in the Scarborough/ Agincourt community in Toronto. Each year it creates many volunteer opportunities for local youths as well as summer jobs for 6-8 high school/ university students as camp counsellors working with local children from needy families. The L.S. summer camp has also provided opportunities for many young people to gain valuable work experience helping them to land their first real job successfully after their graduation from school.

Numerous children and young people have come through the Living Stone Summer Camp. We are proud that many of our campers come back to volunteer and later become camp counsellors. They are doing well in school and have become contributing members of our society.  From what I know personally among the teens who have worked in the camp:

 4 have become qualified teachers,  1 - school vice principal, 1 - doctor, 3 - nurses, 1- health and safety inspector, 1 - urban planner, 1 - police officer while many are in the accounting and IT professions.

We are immensely proud of what the LS Summer Program has done for the youths in our community.

Ms Jean Yip, M.P. visited the LS Summer Camp in Scarborough recently

Last week, the camp invited Ms. Jean Yip to come and visit with the youths. She greeted the children, send greetings on behalf of the Federal Government, answered many of their questions.

Yes, there were numerous questions about the federal government, especially the new laws and policies about the legalization of marijuana.

Ms Yip talked with youths about a career in politics at LS Summer Camp

Ms Jean Yip was generous with her time spending almost an hour discussing career plans and pathways with the young people in a small group setting.

Rev. Dr. Ko presented a souvenir to Ms. Yip

On Sunday, July 22, she came back to Living Stone and spoke to the afternoon congregation explaining her role and services provided by her constituent office.







It was a real educational and meaningful experience for those newcomers to Canada present in the meeting.

Thank you, Ms Jean Yip, for your time and visit to the Living Stone Assembly!

R.T.
Scarborough, Ontario