Embrace Action Fund
The Embrace Action (EA) Fund supports organizations whose work is consistent with our social outreach vision of poverty reduction. We focus our financial aid on groups with whom we hope to deepen our relationship and broaden our support over time.
The United Church of Canada’s Creed calls us to love and serve others and seek justice. Fairlawn’s vision is to build that compassion and understanding by personally engaging with those who are marginalized. Thus, our EA Fund focuses on activities for which it can not only provide financial aid, but also opportunities where Fairlawn members can be personally involved.
Our EA Fund lay ministry team researches organizations and choses partners, after it:
• assesses how closely their work aligns with Fairlawn’s poverty reduction goal, and
• identifies ways that congregants can become more closely connected.
Our partners’ representatives occasionally speak at Fairlawn worship services to share what they’re doing and how we can become more involved with their work.
We are currently supporting:
January 2026 – Saint Luke’s OOTC Meal Program
We are pleased to share a letter of appreciation from Saint Luke’s United Church, expressing their heartfelt thanks for Fairlawn Avenue United Church’s very generous donation of $21,000 in support of the Out of the Cold Meal Program.
The letter comes from David G. Hallman, Chair of Church Council, and reflects the meaningful impact this gift is having on their ministry and the wider community.
Spring 2025 – Fred Victor
Spring has sprung! As we say hello to warmer weather, I wanted to make sure you received our Spring Newsletter. It highlights some of the meaningful ways your generosity is helping build a thriving, inclusive Toronto.
We are so grateful for the continued support from Fairlawn Avenue United Church—thank you!
Please see the letter from our CEO, Keith Hambly, featuring the moving story of Sandra, who received the support she needed to rebuild her life.
Thank you and have a great day!
Kind Regards,
Alexa Swaby (SWAY-bee)[she/her]
Manager, Foundations and Community Giving
EA Fund Partner Red Door Shelter ~ Thank You
2024 Annual Red Door Family Shelter Holiday Gift Drive
A heartfelt “Thank You” to everyone who donated to the annual campaign for Red Door Family Shelter. Red Door was very pleased with the generosity of Fairlawners in providing much needed supplies, toys, winter clothing and $2,660 worth of grocery gift cards. In addition to the donations delivered on Monday, December 16, Sue Ennis, Red Door EA Lead, hand delivered the Embrace Action Fund’s annual contribution to Red Door Family Shelter in the amount of $6,000.
EA Fund Partner StreetHealth ~ Annual Report and Strategic Plan for 2024-2028
Fairlawn EA Fund partner have shared with us their Annual Report and Strategic Plan for 2024-2028.
Please take the time to read it to see what StreetHealth are doing and how you can become more involved with their work.
Street Health is a leader in improving the health and well-being of people who are homeless or under-housed or underserved through low barrier and equitable care, advocacy and education.
Learn more at streethealth.ca.
EA Fund Partner Fred Victor ~ “Steps to Success” Thank You
View the Thank You letter received from Fred Victor for our 2023 EA Fund donation support the ‘Steps to Success‘ program.
January 14, 2024 Fred Victor Guest Speaker: Alexa Swaby, Manager, Foundations and Community Giving
EA Fund Partner Red Door Shelter ~ Thank You
2023 Annual Red Door Family Shelter Holiday Gift Drive
A heartfelt “Thank You” to everyone who helped to fill two cars with toys, gift cards and hand-knit hats and mitts for the 2023 Red Door Family Shelter Annual Holiday Gift Drive. These items were gratefully accepted by Red Door on Monday, December 11, 2023. View the Thank You letter received from Red Door.
EA Fund Partner StreetHealth ~ Campaign Thank You
EA Partner ~ Street Health Campaign
In September, 2023, our Fairlawn Community of Faith donated from a curated list of items to a Street Health Indigenous partner focused on reducing deaths caused by poisoned street drugs.
Thank you to all who supported this campaign.
EA Fund Partner StreetHealth ~ Special Event
On May 25, 2022 Fairlawn hosted overdose prevention experts from Street Health, one of our Embrace Action partners, to educate us on the crisis and what we can do about it.
EA Fund Partner Red Door Shelter ~ Thank You
As a congregation, Fairlawn has partnered with the Red Door Family Shelter, with a variety of campaigns, since 2007 to make the holidays a little brighter for the families sheltering there.
On December 6, 2022 Sue Ennis along with EA co-chairs Sandy Giles Byrne and John Ryerson, dropped off the generous donations from Fairlawn this past week at Red Door Family Shelter.
Thank you to all who donated and made a difference to the families supported by Red Door this Christmas.
For information or if you have questions, contact our Embrace Action Co-chairs Sandy Giles Byrne or John Ryerson at ac.de1772905495tinue1772905495uneva1772905495nwalr1772905495iaf@a1772905495e1772905495