Why the Coldest Night of the Year?

     I have been asked many times this year How and Why we are involved in the Coldest Night of the Year, Canada's (unofficial) National Walk for Homelessness? The short answer is: Because they asked us to be. The Senior Development Associate, Mika Takamaki found Hope Street CMC on google when searching for organizations involved with the disadvantaged in Medicine Hat and reached out to me in an email in the summer of 2014. After a bit of research on the event to make sure it was legitimate, We said Yes to hosting our first event in February of 2015 and it has been part of us ever since.

    

     I guess the next question that needs to be answered is why do we need such an event in a city that has reportedly ended homelessness? I do get asked this question more than I first realized. The short answer is: We weekly feed an average of 85 guests who might not be homeless in the traditional sense, but are disadvantaged in some way or form. We also feed many seniors, teenagers, working poor and single parent families. That is the reality of living in Medicine Hat. We don't have a large homeless population like many of the larger centres who are involved in the walk; Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Toronto; just to name a few of the 114 partner organization across Canada involved in the 2017 Coldest Night Walk. We do however have a 10% poverty rate in Alberta and a 31% single parent poverty rate in Medicine Hat (2013 Vital Signs). Medicine Hat has done an awesome job of helping to end homelessness, but we still have to deal with disadvantaged people and that number is growing in the current economic downturn.

Who or What is Hope Street CMC

     Medicine Hat Hope Street Compassionate Ministry Centre or Hope Street CMC has been around Medicine Hat in one form or another since 2004. I won't go into all the details of our history here. You can visit http://www.hopestreetcmc.ca/about.html to get the full history of Hope Street. Just to touch on our beginnings, for the first 9 years, Hope Street Church existed as a Good Samaritan Church Ministry of Glenview Nazarene Church. In 2013 we obtained our status as a Registered Canadian Charity and have been operating as our own poverty relief organization ever since:

Our updated Vision statement is: Realized Potential through Breaking Cycles of Poverty

Our updated Mission statement is: Hope Street addresses poverty by supplying resources towards basic human needs of the homeless, working poor and disadvantaged population of Medicine Hat.

     At our current level of service, we offer a family safe environment where our guests can receive a hot and nutritious meal at no cost. We also offer clothing on selected Sundays and there is always extra food items available to take home and leftover food from the meal that get packed up for take home also. We don't have much storage so aside from clothing and a few selected items, we try and give everything away each week. We partner with many other organizations including Redcliff Bakery, St Barnabas Anglican Church, The Dream Centre, Starbucks, The Champion's Centre and the Medicine Hat Food Bank to ensure that we have enough supplies to feed up to 100 people each Sunday. Our Volunteers at one point were mainly members of Glenview Nazarene Church but now I can say we have volunteers from all over Medicine Hat and area. We have even seen volunteers from as far away as Brooks serve on occasion.

What does the Coldest Night of the Year Do For Us?

     I think Hope Street CMC has benefitted from involvement in this event in at least 3 ways:

1. Community Awareness: Because we operated as a ministry of Glenview for so long, our identity was always connected to Glenview. That was awesome because our volunteers, funding and leadership was all a part of the local church. But once we made the switch from Hope Street Church to Hope Street CMC, it took a while for Medicine Hat to become aware of us as a separate organization. 3 years of doing this event has made us known in Medicine Hat!
2. Community Involvement - This fact, along with item number 1 above, are valuable beyond measure for Hope Street CMC. Almost more important than Number 3 below. The fact that I can now report that the majority of our volunteers that are with us now are not from Glenview. We still get lots of people and support from our church family but as the organization grows, so does our volunteer base. And we HAVE grown and so HAS our volunteer base. We went from about 15 dedicated Glenviewers to about 55-60 dedicated volunteers from around our community. This is a HUGE plus of doing an event of the magnitude of Coldest Night of the Year.
3. Fundraising: As anyone knows, it takes money to keep an organization afloat. Once we became a poverty relief organization, we stopped being funded directly from the local church. It was now our job to find supporters to become donors and fund this vital Medicine Hat Ministry. I am happy to announce that we have been able to maintain our past level of service and even enhance and grow in what we provide. The Coldest Night of the Year has gone a long way to help us do that. We were able to raise over $17,000.00 in year 1, around $16,000.00 in year 2 and our looking at a $25,000.00 goal for this, our 3rd year. That would help cover almost half of our 2017 budget so this event is a major fundraiser for us. Past event have also allowed us to continue relationships with past donors and build our mailing list.

      In Conclusion, We are very proud to say we are a Coldest Night of the Year Host and Partner. The 2017 goal for the Canada-wide event is to raise $4,000,000.00 over the 114 locations. The $25,000.00 goal seems small compared to this Canada-wide goal but I feel like it is achievable. We are way above last years numbers today and traditionally see all of our numbers double over the last 10 days; Walkers, Donors, Donations...  We have a ways to go but Medicine Hat is an awesome city and very generous so I have faith we can make it. Please visit the Coldest Night of the Year Medicine Hat location page if you want to check out this event. www.cnoy.org/medicinehat or visit our website to find links to useful information on becoming involved: www.hopestreetcmc.ca. We still have room for Teams, Walkers, Volunteers and Donors and it's not too late to get involved!. If you have any questions, please feel free to email or call us using the information below. and remember:

it's cold out there...

Murray Alan Kumm, Event Director

makumm@hopestreetcmc.ca

403.458.HOPE(4673)

My Journey of HOPE...

I know that many of you have been patiently scrolling through many many Facebook messages, tweets, emails, and whatever other way I can try and make you aware of our upcoming event called Coldest Night of the Year. I thank you for your patience and I am glad that all of you have not unfriended, unfollowed or blocked me! This morning I was challenged in a Facebook post from the Coldest Night people to share my story... To make it real for you, my friends and followers. So this is my attempt to help each one of you understand why I am so Passionate about Compassionate Ministry!

Old Suitcase Full of Old Ideas

My journey of Compassion has not been one that has always been bright and positive. I use to have a very bad attitude towards those who lived in poverty. To make a long story short: My opinion was that they just needed to get a job... or get off the alcohol and drugs... or stop being lazy... or (pick something negative and put it here). This was very much my attitude in the earliest stages of my adult life. Long before I found Jesus mind you, but some of it carried through with me like an old suitcase you carry around because you don't want to get rid of it. Even in my earliest beginnings in ministry and pastoral training, I had some of these deeply seeded opinions.

Then the Miraculous happened!!  God got a hold of my heart and started allowing me to see in the poverty stricken what He saw as their Heavenly Father and Creator. I do not yet think I see the picture clearly, but I believe that God is allowing me to have an increased vision of this portion of creation. I pray that I will never stop seeing in the guests we serve what He sees in these children of His.

Galatians 2:20

So to bring it all back to the initial question: My story didn't have a holy and righteous start. But I believe that in order to make you understand my passion for Hope Street CMC, I had to let you know where I came from. I believe with my whole heart that the reason that I have found the passion to care so deeply is because the Lord cares so deeply. In Galatians 2:20 it states, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me". This for me is part of my journey of Sanctification. Am I there yet?  No way! But I would like to think that each day I am walking further with my Journey with God.

I moved from my condemning attitude and being very judgmental about those in poverty, to a more graceful place where I try and see the good in everyone. I think my earliest ideas were stoked with the fact that if I never had too face reality and kept putting the 'Blame' for their situation on them, I would never have to face the fact that I wasn't doing anything to help!

I am also very excited to say that my initials thoughts about what area of ministry God was calling me to was Revival Ministries. I wanted to travel around this great country and preach at Revival meeting. In fact, my first request to become involved in Compassionate Ministries was answered by a strong "NO" by me because I didn't see a connection to Revival. I now can say that there is, in my opinion, a huge connection between Revival and Compassionate Ministries. I see the Volunteers at Hope experiencing personal revival each and every week! I will have more of this to share in the coming months as I continue to develop this idea. 

So if you just scanned through this long message to find the conclusion, it is stated simply as:

I am Passionate about Compassionate Ministry because Jesus was Passionate about Compassionate Ministry. In fact, that is what got Him in so much trouble with the Sadducees and Pharisees!  He was hanging around and drawn to the most unsavory people of His time. And these were the people He spent most of His time with.

-------------------------------------------------------

because it's cold out there...

The Coldest Night of the Year is a country wide fundraising event that will benefit Hope Street CMC in Medicine Hat. Fundraising is one of our biggest challenges especially as we are a very young organization. The community awareness that the Coldest Night event is bringing to Hope Street CMC is also very exciting. More exciting to me than the actual money because people are becoming aware that we exist.

If you want to be part of our event, it is not too late. Our Feb 21 event is only 10 days away but you can still join us as a team captain, walker or a donor.

Please visit www.coldestnightoftheyear.org/medicinehat for all these options.

We also need more volunteers!

Visit www.coldestnightoftheyear.org/volunteer and select Medicine Hat as your location. If you click on the checkbox beside the positions, more details will be seen.

I thank you all who took the time to read this posting. If you would like to sponsor me personally and help me reach my goal of $5000.00, please visit:

https://secure.e2rm.com/registrant/FundraisingPage.aspx?registrationID=2670462&langPref=en-CA

Thank you and Be Blessed,

Pastor Murray Kumm

Executive Director

403.458.HOPE

Coldest Night of the Year is Coming to Medicine Hat

[Medicine Hat, January 21, 2015] – Medicine Hat Hope Street Compassionate Ministry Centre is encouraging Medicine Hat residents to bundle up and raise cold, hard cash for The Coldest Night of the Year Walk, A family-friendly winter fundraising event for Medicine Hat's homeless, hungry and hurting, the WALK takes place on the evening of February 21, 2015.

Taking part in the Coldest Night of the Year will help participants understand the experience of surviving on the streets during a cold Canadian winter, while raising funds to aid the work of Hope Street CMC in providing much-needed support to members of our community. Coldest Night walks will be taking place on the same night in 81 cities from coast to coast.

The Medicine Hat WALK begins and ends at St Barnabas Anglican Church in their Gymnasium, located at 635-4th Street SE in downtown Medicine Hat (Gym entrance on 5th Street), where walkers will register, turn in the results of their fundraising efforts, and return at the end of the evening for a warm celebration meal. Donning iconic blue-and-white toques, participants will walk a 2, 5 or 10km route, and will warm up with toasty drinks at rest stops along the way.

Remember, It's Cold Out There...

This is Hope Street CMC's first year taking part in the Coldest Night of the Year, with a fundraising goal of $25,000. 150 walkers and 20 teams, including staff and friends of Hope Street CMC are expected to brave the cold winter's night. Community sponsors include Speedpro Signs, Crestwood Dental, Courtyard Dental, Harley Davidson, Redcliff Pharmasave, Lawyer Ryan Schindel, Real Estate Agents - Frank Devine and Richard Hammel; along with many Goods & Services and Media sponsors. Please visit the location page listed below for a complete list of sponsors.

Hope Street CMC has been serving Medicine Hat for 10 years, and the boost in funds resulting from the Coldest Night of the Year will benefit their clients in a time of the year known historically for low levels of giving. Our location page is located at www.coldestnightoftheyear.org/medicinehat

If you would like to become a part of the walk in any way, please use one of the following choices:

1. To become a Team Captain and form a team:  Visit the following page - https://coldestnightoftheyear.org/register and click on the Start a Team option. Please select Medicine Hat as your location and Hope Street Compassionate Ministry Centre as your charity when asked in the registration process. 
2. To become a Walker and join a team: Visit our location page - www.coldestnightoftheyear.org/medicinehat and click on the team name you would like to join in the yellow section on the right side. Then select Join a Team beside the amount raised and proceed through the registration process.
3. To support a walker and donate to the event: Visit our location page - www.coldestnightoftheyear.org/medicinehat and click on the team name you want to support, then select the walker and click the Donate Now button. All donations over $20.00 are receipted automatically and it is sent to your email account within a few minutes.
4. Volunteers Needed!! - We have an immediate need for volunteers for our event. If you would like to help out in any way, please visit www.coldestnightoftheyear.org/volunteer and select Medicine Hat as your location. If you then click the checkbox beside the position name, you will see a full description of the volunteer position. Please consider helping us out by becoming a Hope Street CMC Volunteer!

For further information, contact:
Murray Kumm, Executive Director
Hope Street Compassionate Ministry Centre
makumm@hopestreetcmc.ca
1.403.458.HOPE(4673)
www.hopestreetcmc.ca

For National Event information, contact:
Brian Carney, Executive Director
Blue Sea Philanthropy
brian@blueseaphilanthropy.org
1-519-603-2250
www.coldestnightoftheyear.org

Socks For Hope - Distribution Sunday

Hope Street CMC - February 8, 2015:  Today was the day that we took all 98 'Socks for Hope' down to our Sunday Afternoon meal at Hope Street CMC and gave them out. Medicine Hat Christian School (MHCS) teacher Jennifer Kumm was joined by Pastors David and Tammy Herbert along with their two Children who are students at the MHCS. They spent about 10-15 minutes handing out the socks to the guests of Hope Street CMC. 

Pastors Dave & Tammy, Katelyn and Josiah Herbert prepare to start handing out the socks

On this particular Sunday, we had at least 72 guests join us along with our volunteer crew of 16 people. The socks were handed out right before seconds were served to make sure we blessed the largest amount of people as we could. Many of our guests seemed very thankful to receive the thoughtful gift from the school.

Thank you once again MHCS! You are helping us to achieve our vision of Breaking Cycles of Poverty. We look forward to see what creative ways you find in the future to help bless the impoverished people of Medicine Hat!

Helping the guests to find the perfect sock for their gift

More guests receiving socks

Roger, one of our food table volunteers who has moved from being a guest to being a volunteer at Hope

Pastor Murray with the Herbert Family!

If you would like to have a discussion with us to see how your business, organization, church or other group can lend us a hand to help bless the impoverished people of our city, please email us at info@hopestreetcmc.ca or call 403.458.HOPE. Thank you and Be Blessed!!

Med Hat Christian School - Socks For Hope

On February 4, 2015, students from The Medicine Hat Christian School took part in a project during their chapel time. They had been gathering socks and toiletry items for the week prior to prepare for the project. They called it 'Socks for Hope' and the entire school took part in creating 98 socks that were lovingly stuffed full of toiletry and other personal hygiene items. These Socks of Hope are intended to be Valentine's Day gifts for our guests.



The students each took home a list of items that are always in short supply among the weekly guests of Hope Street Compassionate Ministry Centre and the supplies started to flow in almost immediately. This continued for a full week and when it came time to put it all together, there was plenty to go around. The students even had to do some of the sock building during some free time so they could complete the 98 socks.

 

An example of the Sock's Contents



The teachers and staff of the Medicine Hat Christian School gave thoughtful leadership to the students as they encouraged them to bring in supplies and also were a huge part of the organization of the project. Special thanks to Vice Principal Rick Burry and Grade 3 teacher, Jennifer Kumm for coming up with the idea and making it a reality. The teachers and staff of MHCS also brought in  underwear to be given out to our guests. Another high need item!

  

The socks will be taken to Hope Street CMC on Sunday to be given out to our 80+ guests who join us each week for a hot and nutritious meal that is served at no cost. Hope Street CMC is Family Friendly and open to all those in need.

 

The pictures below show the final sock tower, one of the Chapel Groups and a classroom of kids who greeted me as I came to pick up the Socks.

The Mountain of Socks and Underwear

One of the many Chapel Groups at MHCS



The welcoming party as we picked up the finished product!

Well done Medicine Hat Christian School!

 

Your thoughtful Valentine's Day gift for the guests of Hope Street CMC is very appreciated and I know it will provide some high need items to the impoverished people of Medicine Hat. Your school is living out the scriptures by letting the Light of Christ shine out of your lives. Thank you from Hope Street CMC and all of our guests!

 

Hope Street CMC Volunteers Recognized

 

Recently, Pastor Murray Alan Kumm was honoured to present Alvin and Ethel Wirch with the Nazarene Church Distinguished Service Award on behalf of Hope Street CMC. Alvin and Ethel have been a key part of our Hope Street Church and Hope Street CMC volunteer team since our earliest beginnings. They have given of their time and energy almost each and every week and were usually the first ones to arrive and the last ones to leave. It is with much joy and gratitude that Hope Street CMC presented this award to Alvin and Ethel.

 

 

The Award Reads:

 

Distinguished Service Award

 

Medicine Hat Hope Street Compassionate Ministry Centre

 

takes pleasure in presenting this certificate to

 

Alvin and Ethel Wirch

 

in recognition of many years of heartfelt love, service and Christ-like compassion to the staff, volunteers and patrons of Hope Street Compassionate Ministry Centre

 

__________________________________________________________

 

 Thank you Alvin and Ethel for your many years of service to Hope Street CMC!!

 

Medicine Hat’s Newest Registered Charity

By Murray Alan Kumm
June 25, 2014

Medicine Hat, AB – On May 9, 2014, Medicine Hat Hope Street Compassionate Ministry Centre was recognized as a Canadian Registered Charity by the Canadian Revenue Agency. This recognition is a result of an application process that started in January 2013. The main focus of the Hope Street CMC is Poverty Relief.

Hope Street CMC has been operating in the City of Medicine Hat since 2004 and has transitioned from a Summer Barbeque at Riverside park to a weekly meal for all those in need. They meet each Sunday afternoon at St Barnabas Anglican Church in the Gymnasium (635 – 5th Street SE, Downtown Medicine Hat, Gym entrance on 6th Street). Doors open at 1:30pm and the meal is served at 2:00pm.

Executive Director Murray Alan Kumm is quoted as saying, “This important step in the life of Hope Street CMC will allow us to continue to operate our Sunday afternoon meal with excellence, but will also allow us to potentially expand the service we offer to the homeless, working poor and impoverished population of Medicine Hat.” Hope Street CMC sees an average attendance of 70-80 guests/week and those numbers grow to 90-100 guests/week during the summer barbeque season.

For more information about our Sunday Meal, volunteer opportunities or how you can help support Hope Street CMC, please visit http://www.hopestreetcmc.ca.

Medicine Hat Hope Street Compassionate Ministry Centre

Contact:  Murray Alan Kumm - Executive Director

Mailing Address:  4072 Strachan Road SE, Medicine Hat, AB, T1B 4Y3

Phone Number:  403-458-HOPE (4673)

Email:  info@hopestreetcmc.ca

Website:  http://www.hopestreetcmc.ca