City Kidz Junior Leaders join the Insurance Brokers Association of Hamilton (IBAH) team of Diana Reizgys (centre), Chad Brownlee (right centre), Vice President Milena Lewandowski (far right).

The Christmas Season is well underway at the City Kidz Toy Store.  We continue to receive toy donations from many individuals, families and companies within the Hamilton and surrounding area.  Just recently we received 120 toys from the Insurance Brokers Association of Hamilton who have consistently contributed to our toy drive for many years.

Thanks to everyone who participated.

Your support will make a big difference in each of our children’s lives this Christmas.

City Kidz
Creative & Design Intern

Position Type: Volunteer-Intern
4, 8 and 12 month positions available
Date ad Posted: Nov 23, 2011
Application Deadline: Dec 20, 2011
Location: 601 Burlington St E, Unit A, Hamilton, ON  L8L 4J5

Looking to expand your skills, gain valuable experience, work in an awesome team environment, and make a positive impact on at-risk kids?  Then we’ve got the perfect opportunity for you!

City Kidz is a dynamic faith-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of at-risk children.  Our mission: to instill positive values and morals into the lives of children and to help build a solid foundation for their future, to inspire each child to make positive life choices and to choose to “do what’s right.”

Every Saturday nearly 1100 children are bussed in from across Hamilton to experience a dynamic and interactive 90 minute show and each week over 2300 children receive home visits by a member of our volunteer visitation staff.

As the Creative & Design Intern you will use your creative skills to make a difference in the lives of children from the inner city, work in a collaborative environment and work on diverse projects including but not limited to: branding, multimedia, set design, posters, flyers, newsletters, booklets and brochures.   Through it all you will gain valuable experience, meet some awesome people, and use your talents and skills to improve the lives of deserving kids!

Responsibilities:

• Work in coordination with the Creative & Design Specialist to develop print and multimedia materials for marketing and program production.

Qualifications:

• Preferred proficiency with Adobe Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop along with experience in Mac environment
• Ability to work both collaboratively as well as independently with little supervision when necessary
• Curiosity and desire to learn and expand graphic design skills in print and multimedia
• Owning your own Mac System with Adobe Suite is also preferred
• Special projects will be available for a candidate proficient in web design (with HTML & CSS knowledge)

If you are an enthusiastic person who has a passion for creativity and a desire to make a difference in the lives of children, please submit your resume and a portfolio along with references by Dec 20, 2011. Please submit only by email or fax.

We appreciate all applicants, however, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

Compensation: Currently this is a Volunteer Position

Contact: Jeremy Curry, Creative and Design Specialist
Email: jeremy@citykidz.ca Fax: 905 544-4077 Phone: 905 544-3996 ext 224
Address: 601 Burlington St E, Unit A, Hamilton, ON  L8L 4J5
For more information about City Kidz please visit us on the web at www.citykidz.ca

Craig Nugent (right), keynote speaker and Jr Leader, receives award. Pictured here with with leader Jas Mogford. (Photo: St. Jacques Photography)

Thank you to all our supporters and guests who attended the “Big Dream Banquet – Starz on Sherman II,” on November 17th. With your help we have raised over $65,000 so far.

This red carpet event was full of entertaining and intimate moments. We honoured the leaders and volunteers, young and old, who give their time, talents and treasures consistently and faithfully. Tribute was also given to all our supporters and sponsors.

Only with your help can City Kidz make a difference in our Hamilton Community. On behalf of the children and families we serve “Thank You!”

Door Prize Winner: Josh Tiessen Swan Painting – Laura Hustler (#1474)

Unclaimed Silent Auction Winners will be contacted.

Read The Hamilton Spectator Article on the Spec.com “Jr Leaders given the Star Treatment”

See Photos from St. Jacques Photography

Watch in amazement as Carmen’s Banquet Centre rolls out the red carpet to welcome the who’s who of Hamilton & area for a City Kidz version of the Oscars!! It’s the Big Dream Banquet 2011: Starz on Sherman II. Last year almost 1000 VIPs and supporters packed Carmens to enjoy an evening of hilarious and heartfelt entertainment.

When it comes to entertaining and inspiring 2,200 inner-city kids on a weekly basis, what goes on behind the scenes is almost as thrilling as what’s on stage! But despite this amazing production – carried out by hundreds of volunteers – there are still thousands of needy youngsters awaiting the City Kidz experience.! Our annual dinner helps keep those dreams alive, and this year’s event is sure to be our best ever.

Expect plenty of laughs and heartfelt moments – all this while we work together to fight poverty in Hamilton. For ticket information please contact Susan Lamont by phone: 905 544.3996 x210 or email: susan@citykidz.ca

PRODUCED BY – DUNNMEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT – PROUD SPONSOR

Special thanks goes out to Hamilton Port Authority, Pearson Dunn Insurance, Aldo Electric, Terrence Webster Design and EVERY business and individual who have given of their time, talent or finances.  We are truly grateful to everyone who recognizes the value of investing in our children’s lives.

Craig, a City Kidz kid who is now a volunteer says: “I think what impresses me the most about Citykidz is the meals that they can offer to the children. Some families have a difficult time providing, or some families don’t have enough time to make a meal before their children come to City Kidz.  Every Saturday City Kidz is able to offer each child who attends the program, a meal, whether it be pizza, sub, burger. I remember a story a captain told me “A little girl on her bus got her hamburger and ripped it in half, wrapped up the one half and said I’m going to save this half for dinner.” Being able to feed the children impresses me a lot.”

The grant of $8,800 from the ArcelorMittal Dofasco Corporate Community Investment Fund will provide the meal once a month for City Kidz children and youth.  We would also like to thank ArcelorMittal for opening up their kitchens once a month for the cooking and packaging of the meals. A special thank you to the team of dedicated volunteers, headed up by Gary White and Mike Moore, consisting of employees and family members of employees who choose to give of their time in helping to prepare the food for all of our children. Thank you for investing your time and finances into the lives of Hamilton’s future—our children and youth.

“The views and opinions expressed in this publication/website do not necessarily reflect those of ArcelorMittal Dofasco”.

“For the past few years it’s been difficult for many of our kids and families, and knowing that we can count on the consistent support of the tournament to help us continue, means a lot to all of us here. We want to thank everyone involved!”,  Todd Bender, Founder and Executive Director.

152 participants enjoyed 18 holes of golf on one of the nicest days this summer.  Hosted by the IRC Group on the beautiful Dundas Valley Golf and Curling Club, the course offered both beauty and challenge for everyone.   The day finished off with a full buffet dinner, complete with lobster, roast beef and all the trimmings.  Guests were entertained by local celebrity  M.C. Sunni Genesco, co-host of K-lite FM’s Sunni and Hayes morning show.  At the end of the evening every guest received a quality prize for their participation, even the team declared  “most honest golfers” received something for their efforts!  Each year the event sells out, and boasts a waiting list of participants eager to secure a spot.  City Kidz would like to extend it’s gratitude to all involved, and is looking forward to next year’s event!

Pray that God’s peace would be known as the family mourns.  The funeral service will be held at the Church of the Nativity, 1831 King St. E, at 9:30 am on Saturday, July 23, 2011.

Uche’s Story

My name is Uche, and I’m one of the many volunteer Jr Leaders at City Kidz.  I found out about City Kidz through my sister actually.  She was playing outside one day then she came back in with a couple of fliers and Nathan.  He then explained to us about City Kidz and how it works. On my first day as a City Kidz kid, I remember looking at the leaders and saying to myself; “Hey that looks like fun, I can do that, I want to do that.” From that day on I kept asking Nathan about being a leader; how I wanted to be a leader and how I would make a really good leader but I kept getting the same answer; “Uche I know you would be a good leader and I would love for you to be a leader but talk to me when you are 12 yrs of age.” I never gave up.  On my 12th birthday I called Nathan and told him I am now fully qualified to be a Jr Leader!

So now I have been attending City Kidz for 2 1/2 years.  Some of the things I love about being a Jr Leader are: the smiles I give the kids on Saturdays and on home visits, getting to meet a lot of new kids every single Saturday and Keneisha of course, including all the other captains and leaders at City Kidz. A typical City Kidz day is the bus picking up them up at their houses (how awesome is that, I mean not every kid is able to come to City Kidz because of rides but now they can because of the ‘Big Red Bus’), then they head to the theatre. From then on they learn about God and have FUN. On their way back home they get snacks and a lunch (they also get home safely).  If you are thinking or not yet thinking about volunteering at City Kidz well start thinking because it is one of the best experiences you could ever have, who doesn’t love the sight of a smiling kid looking up at you.  I’d like to say thank you to Keneisha, Nathan, Jeremy and Haley, and Judith for this wonderful experience and for pushing me to do my absolute best.  This really has changed my life. THANK YOU!