Side x Side with Donnovan Bennett
Following the breakout rooms, guests joined us in the Bayview Glen auditorium for a 'recording' of our Youth Unlimited podcast, Side by Side with Donnovan Bennett. Donnovan is a Christian on-air and podcast personality with 17 years of experience working in sports, conducting interviews, and telling stories at The Score and Sportsnet. He took us through the evening, chatting with our staff and youth, and helping us explore the Side by Side theme.
Episode One: Boxing & Fishing
First, Donnovan sat down with Paul & Stephanie, partners in life and ministry, and two brothers who attend their program, Prince Michael and Christopher. Paul and Stephanie lead RJF Fishing and RJF Boxing with the Jane-Finch team.
Click on the link below to listen to their interview with Donnovan about this unique ministry combination and partnership. You'll love hearing Prince Michael and Christopher share about their fishing experiences and thoughts on Paul's boxing ability.
Boxing has the power of connection for people who enjoy this type of activity because it involves a high degree of trust and respect. Our vision is to connect with and speak into the lives of diverse groups within the Rexdale community and the broader boxing community while meeting together in a church. - Stephanie Swayne, RJF Boxing
Going back each year really feels like returning home. The relationships that have been built over the years - by our team and by those who came before us - are so important. They’re the foundation of everything we do. For a few years, I’ve volunteered as part of the one-on-one team, where campers who need a little extra support get individualized attention to help them thrive at camp. During that time, I bonded with a little girl, and each year I’m so excited to see how beautifully she’s been growing. - Simone, DOXA Journeys
Ann, our Critical Care Consultant, sat down with Andrew, one of the young adults who participated in our Wrap Around Care program. It was beautiful to hear of an example of what it looks like to be side by side with a supportive community.
Episode 4: Chats Around the Lunch Table
For our final episode of the podcast, Jackson, shared with Donnovan about how Rob and the rest of the Shop team have supported him along his journey and how he's feeling challenged to pursue his faith. Click on the link below to hear Donnovan's interview with Rob and Jackson.
Click on the link below to hear Donnovan's interview with Rob and Jackson.
At The Shop, I felt like I could share my emotions and feelings and concerns with them and they would give me honest sincere and constructive advice that I genuinely felt like, “Hey, this is something that might work for me”. - Jackson, The Shop
Youth Unlimited's Executive Director, Scott Moore, closed out our evening sharing about his experience journeying alongside a young man in a detention centre awaiting his sentencing.
This, friends, is what it means to be side by side. To be tangible and real to young people when life is raw and painful. To be an anchoring presence in an unsteady world. To participate with God in demonstrating His always-there-for-you love.
Friends, the days we are living in can sometimes seem dark. But the surprising gift of Jesus is that in those seemingly dark places, light can shine from the most unlikely sources. Whether it’s a prayer uttered in a detention centre, a lunch table where you can share your deepest struggles, or the long-awaited reunions of summer day camp counselors, I will not lose hope that our young people can and will live into the fullness of life Jesus offers each and every one of them.