Heart and Soul: Life Changer

This past Saturday night, I was privileged to crank out a few tunes on the stage of the Shell Theatre in the Dow centre for the Life-changer concert. It was great to be able to “artistically vent”. I don’t get to do that as often as I used to!

I would like to thank everyone who came out to have a listen, and those who came to be a support and join in the linking of arms to help bring youth depression, self-harm, and family violence to an end here in the Fort, as well as to offer support to the Shiloh Youth Ranch who puts on summer camps to bring healing and hope for kids at risk. We live in such a great community, but as good as it is, there are hidden problems that need to be exposed and healed.

It was an honour to have some of our distinguished leaders out, such as our Mayor, Gale Katchur and her husband Wayne, as well as our MLA, Jacquie Fenske, as we all heard the life-changing story of Musician Heather Williams.

What an honour it was to share the stage with such an incredible person, and to be able to present this pressing need to our community! Many of our young people suffer immensely from the effects of family breakups, and family violence.

Heather was one of those individuals. For her to tell her story, impacted many of whom were there, and will hopefully open the door to healing and restoration for those who have the same story.

I would also like to thank the counselling groups that were represented, and everyone that helped promote the event, especially Over Easy, Please for allowing me to write about this stuff, and providing the advertising space! The crowd wasn’t huge, but was significant… as these are the ones who will help us change the atmosphere for those who are struggling.

I was deeply impacted with the thought that there is a lot of hope here, and so impressed that various organizations such as Families First, Dream Catchers, Corner Stone Counselling, and others would even consider coming out to show support and offer their services along side of our group here at Life Church and the Shiloh Youth Ranch. I heard it said before, that it takes a whole community to raise a child. It takes a whole community to heal one as well.

I hope and pray, desperately, that if you know of any family or individual who is a victim of family violence, depression, or involved in self harm, that you would have the courage to hold out your hand and help lead them to a place of safety and recovery… It’ll take the whole community to solve this issue!
I’m not suggesting that everyone needs to stop what they’re doing and “take up arms” with us in this movement, but that you will simply be aware that this is going on, and when you see it happening, be bold enough to either get involved, or let someone know who is able to help… it could save a life!

If you are victim, or are struggling in some way… there’s several groups of people who are holding out their hand… do what you can to help us find you, and we’ll do what we can to pull you out and begin the journey of healing and restoration… there’s hope here… please take advantage of it!