A Brief History Of NeighbourLink Chatham-Kent
In 2003 the United Way hired Jennifer Benn to find ways to better alleviate poverty in Chatham-Kent. In her research she came across World Vision's "NeighbourLink Ministry". Jennifer, along with Karen Kirkwood-Whyte , the Executive Director of United Way, called together clergy and church representatives from the community and soon the idea of working together to attack poverty gathered steam.
In April 2005, eight founding church representatives agreed to start NeighbourLink C-K. Right from the beginning we sought to include all of Chatham-Kent and the twenty-nine member churches (as of January 2014) include some from Chatham, Wallaceburg, Dresden, Thamesville, Blenheim and Wheatley.
Since the beginning our goal has been to bring church families together to assist those in need without duplicating existing services. If help is already available, we link people to existing services. Where there are gaps in community services, NeighbourLink seeks to step in with practical help.
In April 2005, eight founding church representatives agreed to start NeighbourLink C-K. Right from the beginning we sought to include all of Chatham-Kent and the twenty-nine member churches (as of January 2014) include some from Chatham, Wallaceburg, Dresden, Thamesville, Blenheim and Wheatley.
Since the beginning our goal has been to bring church families together to assist those in need without duplicating existing services. If help is already available, we link people to existing services. Where there are gaps in community services, NeighbourLink seeks to step in with practical help.