New look, same Ministry - Serving the people of south-east Etobicoke for over 30 years

Our Story

OUR HISTORY

The origin of the Ministry

Stonegate Ministry was founded in 1991 by a group of clergy and committed Christians from the Sunnylea and Humber Bay area. They came together to develop a shared vision and to play an active role in the Stonegate area in order to meet the physical, social and spiritual needs evidenced in the community. This partnership of local churches of different denominations has continued since the inception of the Ministry. The core clientele for Stonegate Ministry’s work are two communities-in-need, located in the southeast of Etobicoke:

Approximately 8,000 families who live in the 79 low-rise apartment buildings in the Berry Rd.- Stonegate neighbourhood, and The 2,500 lower-income families living in rental units along Lake Shore Blvd. West in Etobicoke.

The work of Stonegate Ministry is faithfully supported by individuals and partner and national churches. We are united in the vision of expanding God’s Kingdom by working together to build a stronger, kinder and more just community. The Ministry is now a registered charity and serves the community from our temporary location at Christ Church St. James Anglican Church (194 Park Lawn Rd.) in south Etobicoke.

since

1991

Our vision and mission

VISION

“Working together to build a stronger, kinder and more just community”

MISSION

“Stonegate Ministry is an alliance of local Christian
churches working in partnership with the community through shared
resources, offering programs and opportunities to build healthy
relationships, strong families, and sense of belonging and a deeper
relationship with God. We endeavour to address the needs of the whole
person and families to bridge toward a better life and to be a faithful
voice to ensure everyone in the community is treated with justice and
Christian compassion.

OUR TEAM

Our Board of Directors and Staff work collaboratively to guide the Food Bank, Community Programs, and Great Finds thrift store ministries serving our community. We are committed to our Vision of “Working together to build a kinder, and more just community”.

 

Our Staff serve in the three prime ministry areas and work closely together as clients often seek help with their needs for family clothing and food security. Our community programs strive to ease the overwhelming stress of loneliness through both social and instructive programs such as money management, Bible studies and handling grief.

 

Our Board consists of representatives from our partner churches and provides guidance and oversight for the Ministry’s programs, fundraising and other initiatives. Board members bring many years of experience providing expertise in management, engineering, education and fiscal discipline.

OUR STAFF

Jeannie Martinez :Great Finds Manager/Co-Director of CCSJ Food Pantry

Why I Serve: You never really know the true impact you have on those around you. You never know how much someone needed that smile you gave them or needed to feel worthy when you greeted them by their name. You never know how much someone needed that hug or how your kindness turned someone’s day around. Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God”. This is why I do what I do.

Natalie Sharpe: Ministry Program Director

Dedicated to God's calling, Natalie, a passionate media producer and pastor, brings creativity and spiritual guidance to Stonegate Ministry as the Ministry Program Director. Motivated by a profound compassion for the community, they use their talents to enhance client experiences, finding personal satisfaction in following God's direction and advancing the organization's visionary mission.

Carol-Anne Foty: Financial Assistant - Volunteer

Carol-Anne Foty served from 2012 to 2020 as the Stonegate Ministry Office Administrator, and, prior to that, as a volunteer at the former Outreach Store in the Stonegate Plaza. Carol-Anne was a retail community pharmacist for many years before leaving that career in 2008, sensing God’s call in her life for a new chapter in her faith journey. Currently, Carol-Anne serves Stonegate Ministry as a financial assistant to the Board and its Treasurer. She also volunteers at the CCSJ Food Bank, facilitating intake and client registration.

Bruce Smith: On Assignment to Stonegate Ministry

Bruce is now in his 48th year of mission and ministry which covered prisons, seafarers, children and youth ministries and the operation of a crisis center with his wife Carol. He then served as National Director of Threshold Ministries for 17 years. His ministry has taken him to every province and territory in Canada, and around the world. For the last 12 years he has had the joy of working as the Mission Co-ordinator at Christ Church St. James (Anglican) Church. More importantly, he is married to his best friend Carol (47 years). They have 2 sons and 3 wildly happy grandchildren.

Our Board of Directors

OUR DIRECTORS' REFLECTIONS ON THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH STONEGATE MINISTRY

“Having lived in the Stonegate community for more than ten years, I have what I call “a fondness for the neighborhood” and a heartfelt desire to see this community and its residents flourish. I am committed to the organization’s vision of working together in partnership with others to build a stronger, kinder and more just community in south Etobicoke.

“My decision to join Stonegate was in the hope of contributing to the Ministry’s work to improve the lives of the Stonegate Community. Witnessing clients frequent Great Finds and the Food Bank, seeing them benefit from the wonderful programs offered, and watching their families enjoying Summer Sizzler are heartwarming examples of Stonegate’s Christian work.

“As Christians, we have a responsibility to help those in need around us. Stonegate Ministry is uniquely positioned to effectively care for to those in the community. It is also a ministry that is currently engaged in some very fresh and interesting endeavours, all designed to meet the needs of the people we serve.”

“I decided to join the Stonegate  Board because I saw an opportunity to share my knowledge and skills with an organization that does what Christians are called to do – help those in need.”

“I am excited about the ecumenical nature of Stonegate Ministry and how, collectively, we have created a Christian presence in the community well beyond what we could have hoped to achieve as individual congregations.”

“My first connection with Stonegate was volunteering with the Stonegate Outreach Store (Great Finds). [I] discovered the important role the store played for the Stonegate community, both as a place to purchase reasonably priced items and a place to obtain solace”

annual report

Please contact our office to request further information or previous reports

Email: [email protected]