April 26, 2017
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HighlightsRotary After Hours - Meeting with Rotarians to Connect and LearnMorgan Weinberg - Little Footprints Big StepsAn Update on the Work in Haiti! |
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In Nov 2016, District 7070 issued an appeal to its grass roots to support the Little Footprints/Big Steps Organization in an effort to address the urgent needs in Haiti brought on by the devastation of Hurricane Matthew. Earlier in Oct 2016, Canadian, Morgan Weinberg, co-founder of Little Footprints/Big Steps (LFBS), spoke compellingly at the District 7070 Conference with the goal of raising funds to rebuild the Haitian community she had been working with since 2011. Rotary Toronto Eglinton answered that call and were thrilled to have Morgan as a guest speaker at Rotary After Hours providing further insight into the work and progress of LFBS. | ||||
Morgan Weinberg's RAH presentation
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Morgan's journey with International Development began in 2010 when she first volunteered at an orphanage in Haiti. The impact of the deplorable conditions and lack of oversight for these vulnerable children lead her to return to Haiti when she finished school to work independently, first as a volunteer and eventually to create the organization Little Footprints/Big Steps. Morgan outlined the plight of poor families in Haiti who give up their children to life in an orphanage, thinking they will receive the food, care and education they need. In many instances this does not happen. While staying at her first orphanage, Morgan started by helping the children where she lived access the basic necessities (water, consistent shelter, food, clothing, and education). She began to realize that many of the children still had families and set out to re-unite those families and work towards a sustainable system of keeping families together. | ||||
As the Little Footprints/Big Steps organization evolved their work has concentrated into 3 areas of focus: - Child Well-being and Development focuses on basic education and vocational learning. LFBS runs a Transitional Safehouse for children who are temporarily without a home. This offers protection and support for children who may be victims of abuse, neglect, exploitation and homelessness. The LFBS organization continues to work with street children supporting them with the basic necessities and offering encouragement for them to re-engage with the traditional family. - Family and Community Development offers outreach programs to families to acquire the education and tools for financial independence through micro-business start-ups, farming or trade programs which allows families to stay together and reduces the abandonment of children. - Advocacy of Child Rights works in collaboration with local authorities and the media to take a stand for the rights of children. Their programs work directly with improving relationships amongst the Haitian people by empowering families and communities to build capacity and sustainability in the social fabric. Communities are engaged in training programs to increase awareness of child rights, sexual and physical violence and the services that are available. | ||||
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After Hurricane Matthew there was obvious devastation and increased homelessness throughout the country and a re-building process had to start all over again. It is encouraging to note that the LFBS program is now starting to see graduates re-engaged and working within the organization. Staffing is primarily Haitian with most of the charitable funds raised going directly to programming. Morgan pointed out that there have been strong ties with Rotary from the beginning as her hometown RC of Whitehorse was one of their first sponsors. In District 7070 RC Whitby has also championed their program. Morgan has received multiple accolades for her work including being awarded a Paul Harris Fellow. Rotary Toronto Eglinton congratulated and thanked Morgan for all she has done wishing her the best for Little Footprints/Big Steps in the future. | ||||
Upcoming Meetings: May 3, 2017 - Luncheon Meeting 12:15- 1:30 at the Toronto Lawn and Tennis Club Glenn Miller - Glenn is a Senior Associate of the Canadian Urban Institute - about seniors and issues around living in the suburbs. May 10, 2017 - Luncheon Meeting 12:15- 1:30 at the Toronto Lawn and Tennis Club Michael Cooksey - Update on the RI Convention in Toronto 2018 May 17, 2017 - Luncheon Get together with John Polanyi Collegiate Institute Interact
May 24, 2017 - Rotary After Hours 5:30 - 7 at the Midtown Gastro Hub May 31, 2017 - Luncheon Meeting 12:15- 1:30 at the Toronto Lawn and Tennis Club Ellen Schwartz of Project GiveBack |
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