Posted on by erinnoxford

A New Step in Community Health at The Dale: Introducing Jacquie

The stories are endless. One person has a wound that is just not healing- the struggle to keep the bandage on and clean is nearly impossible while living outside. Another has a foot injury, but they can’t keep off it because they walk everywhere to access food and shelter. Someone else refuses to seek medical care because it triggers past trauma.

These challenges, and so many others, are why The Dale has long dreamt of incorporating a health-care component into our work.

Over the years we have been able to forge a tight connection to Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre. Our partnership has allowed us to introduce our friends from the community to our friends who are clinicians. In many cases we are able to create a circle of care around an individual. They have also provided space for The Dale to do outreach and run a drop-in.

It was at our Wednesday gathering outside the Health Centre that we first got to know Jacquie Burkhardt. At the time, Jacquie was engaged in nursing studies and had been referred to The Dale. She quickly became a regular participant and, over time, a deeply engaged community member.

More recently, Jacquie indicated a desire to share her ability and gifting as a nurse with The Dale. In the spirit of raising up community members to contribute to programs and outreach, we now have the opportunity to add Jacquie as a Community Nurse. To begin, Jacquie will offer 12-15 hours per week. The role is still taking shape, and we are committed to slowly and thoughtfully walking with Jacquie as we discover all that this can become together.

And now, in Jacquie’s own words:

Each Sunday during our service at The Dale we are invited into a time of offering. During this time we are reminded that God gives each of us gifts and whether they are big or small they are all valuable to God. The basket is at the front and we acknowledge each person’s gifts might look different and some may not fit in the basket. These gifts may be things like a piece of artwork or a call to a friend or helping clean up after drop-in. Then we are invited to share a portion of what God has given with each other in community. I have recently graduated as a registered practical nurse. In the posture of our offering, I am excited to be joining The Dale as a community nurse using the gifts God has given me in service of our community.

I have experienced joy and belonging at The Dale. Five years ago, when I first approached Erinn about volunteering, she welcomed me to come to the health centre and “hang out” at Outreach. Since then I have been increasingly connected to the community. Together we have experienced church on Sunday, eating together, drop-in, playing games, Bible study, carolling, camping trips, BBQs, open mic’s, celebrations and memorials. During this time, I have received support, care, and encouragement and have had the opportunity to share in the lives of community members with trust and acceptance. As my nursing skills expanded, I have had the privilege of hearing people’s stories, accompanying people to appointments, sharing health knowledge, and helping to navigate health challenges. Through a process of discernment and attentiveness to God’s leading, I am excited about stepping into this new and evolving role.

After we collect the offering, we pray. These prayers are consistently characterized by gratitude and humility. I am grateful to The Dale team and the community as they have affirmed and encouraged me to share my gifts in this way. I welcome your prayers, encouragement and support as we step more deeply into community together.

Posted on by erinnoxford

Speaking Their Names

The room was already prepared when we arrived: vases of long-stemmed yellow roses graced the center of each table, a guest book waited near the entrance for people to sign, and a screen scrolled through the names of members of the Parkdale Activity Recreation Centre (PARC) who had died over the past five years—many of whom were also deeply connected to The Dale.

Over 126 names.

As I read through the list in silence, I could feel the grief rising in me. It stopped just behind my eyes—or so it seemed—hovering close to the surface, unsure how to make its way out.

As friends and partners, The Dale and PARC came together to create this service of remembrance. It had been a long time since PARC was able to hold a memorial of this kind, and we were eager to help. Joanna and I met several times with staff members to plan, and the whole team took part.

During the service, I sat behind the keyboard beside Max and Isaac on guitar and bass. Together, we created pauses between the reading of names with songs—songs the whole room joined in singing.

An Indigenous Elder opened the gathering, reminding us that those who have gone before us are our ancestors—people we can continue to hold close.

It was a hard afternoon. And a good one. Strange how something can be both heavy and freeing at once. We needed to speak our friends’ names aloud, and to do it together. Over the course of the afternoon, a little air was released from the growing balloon of grief. The pressure behind my eyes slowly eased as the tears came and the memories resurfaced, all held within a room full of people who understood.

I left PARC feeling tender. I know the depth of my grief reflects the depth of my love. Still, at the end of the day, death hurts. Though I cling to my faith that death is not the end, I miss so many people. The number keeps growing, and is beyond 126.

And yet, even in the ache, there is something unbroken: the call to keep showing up, to keep building community, to keep loving. As Mary Oliver wrote:

“To live in this world
you must be able
to do three things:
to love what is mortal;
to hold it
against your bones knowing
your own life depends on it;
and, when the time comes to let it go,
to let it go.”

I’m still learning how to do that. But I think that’s part of what it means to be alive.