Cedar Park United is well known for its long-standing tradition of reaching out to the community and the world through the work of its Outreach and Social Justice Ministries. A committed group of people coordinate educational events and assist the community in its support of a wide range of initiatives both locally and globally that serve God’s people in the world. There is a place for all of us in this vital part of who we are at Cedar Park United. Contact the Church office or email: cpusocialjustice@gmail.com to find out where you can join in.

Would you like to stay up to date on current United Church of Canada events and social justice campaigns and programmes? Interesting in taking action?  Have a look at all the ways you can make a difference.

Mission and Service Fund of the United Church of Canada. This group supports mission and ministry in Canada and our global partners.

St. Columba House.  A community ministry of the United Church of Canada. Situated in Point St. Charles, this ministry seeks justice through empowerment, education, and social action.

Montreal City Mission. This ministry is based on the model of community action while responding to the challenges of poverty and social exclusion. The mission seeks justice and empowerment for the marginalized in our society, including immigrants and refugees in the Montreal area. It continues to find challenging opportunities to grow and meet its objectives through the dedicated work of many United churches in Montreal.

United Church National Projects. This group supports KAIROS projects and HIV/AIDS research and support.

(West Island) Family Life Centre. Nine Lakeshore churches support healthy family life through this referral, short-term counselling and relationship support centre.

Other initiatives supported by the congregation include

LGBTQ Youth Centre. Located at 202 Woodside Rd. in Beaconsfield. This youth centre is a welcoming safe environment where gay, lesbian, transgender and questioning young people can easily meet, talk and ask questions. It is an environment that provides information, support to parents, families and friends of queer-identified people.

The LGBTQ Youth Center was created as the first resource to address the needs of West Island lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning youth ages 13-18. The centre opened on May 15, 2011. The diversified board is chaired by Cindy Casey of BUC, and the youth coordinator is Jessica Maltz. The Drop-In centre is open two evenings a week with activities for the youth.

Because many can be “at risk” due to lack of acceptance in families and the community, the centre can provide a caring and supportive environment. A major outreach is contacting area schools to set up programs to counteract homophobia. Future plans call for a discussion group to help parents struggling to understand their LGBTQ teens.

The centre has received financial help from the Mission and Support Fund of Montreal Presbytery, the Erskine and American Fund, Dorval Strathmore and other West Island United churches, and a few provincial government sources. The $25 memberships (now up to 40) are another source of funds. All involved in this project are totally committed to making this centre a safe haven and the wider community a place of greater acceptance for these vulnerable young people.

Christian Action Chretienne. This ecumenical effort in partnership with ten churches provides food for those facing an economic crisis on the West Island.

Dix Mille Village Pointe Claire  Located at 290 bord du lac, Pointe-Claire Village. This project is a non-profit fair-trade store founded in 1996 in partnership with two other West Island churches. Dix Mille Villages provides vital, fair income to people in the two thirds world by selling their products and telling their stories.

C.A.R.E. Apartments. This joint project with Beaurepaire United Church provides housing and support for three mentally ill male adults.

Plan Canada (formerly Foster Plan Canada). Plan Canada works to promote child rights and lift millions of children out of poverty. Plan’s work is based on 8 core values: education, health, water and sanitation, protection, economic security, emergencies, child participation, sexual health including HIV. Cedar Park United  sponsors four children.

Cedar Park’s Youth in Action. Cedar Park Youth in Action is a chapter of Free the Children.  Cedar Park Youth in Action goals are to help both locally and globally through development projects around the world. Our current project is fundraising for a school complex in Dos Palais, Haiti for 700. Check us on Facebook

Montreal Community Loan Fund/ ACEM ACEM is a non-profit community loan fund whose mission is to fight poverty and exclusion through an innovative approach: community credit. ACEM provides accessible credit and technical support to individuals living on a low income and to organizations that do not have access to traditional forms of credit for the start up or expansion of their community or business project..

Montreal Diet Dispensary.  Each year, the Montreal Diet Dispensary provides nutrition and moral support to 2,000 women in need during their pregnancy and the first months after their baby is born.

Cedar Park United Church is also concerned about the environment and will be taking steps to educate and act on programmes that will make God’s creation a safe and healthy place for all.