Welcoming Arms

Welcoming Arms Annual Report 2022

Welcome Table sit-in Meal

Starting September 13, 2025, Welcome Table will offer only a sit-in meal from 5:00-6:00.

Please share this good news with your neighbours and friends!

Martha's Table

Martha's Table will begin again on Thursday September 7.

Martha's Table from 11:30 am to 1pm on Thursdays at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Mosley Street, Aurora. Soup, sandwiches and dessert for take-out or in-person meal.

Much care and thought has gone into making sure these meals will be safe for our guests and for the volunteers involved.

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Welcoming Arms - Article in The Auroran - July 21, 2022

Watch Jack and Ruth's Story

Our Vision.....

"A PARTNERSHIP, RELIEVING THE BURDEN OF POVERTY IN OUR COMMUNITY"

History:

Welcoming Arms started operation in October 2006. The concept originated through discussions between a number of the churches in Aurora as they looked at the needs of low income families in the town. Families and individuals were coming to the churches looking for financial assistance to help get them through the month. Typically these people were either unemployed, or on government assistance through Ontario Works or Disability programs.

The view of the church leaders was that the community could be better served if the churches’ resources were pooled somehow, in this way there could be more leverage gained from the financial and human resources of the churches. From these discussions Welcoming Arms was born.

Who We Are:

Aurora United Church
Aurora Cornerstone Church
The Campus Church - Bathurst
Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
Trinity Anglican Church

Sudden illness can profoundly affect a person’s ability to earn a living, many who become ill are laid off, or forced to quit work because of the effects of treatment, leaving a family without food and necessities of life. 14% of seniors who live alone are living in poverty. Many of these people come to Welcoming Arms for assistance, food vouchers, YRT tickets, toiletries and a listening ear. Aurora United Church is in partnership with 5 other churches in supporting W.A., through financial assistance, volunteers, and providing toiletries each week.

How Can You Help…

Immediate need for toiletries/household supplies!

Welcoming Arms is a registered charity in Aurora, serving those in need in our community: AUC and six other Aurora churches help support WA programs, to coordinate our benevolence efforts. The “Bridging the Gap” program offers monthly access to grocery gift cards, transit tickets and toiletries/household supplies, to help visitors who are struggling to make ends meet. Please consider donating the following by dropping off at the AUC Church Office (9 am to Noon from Monday to Thursday) or bring them to church on Sunday morning:

*Toilet paper

*Dish soap

*Laundry detergent

*Body wash

*Shampoo

*Conditioner

*Facial tissues

*Don’t have time to buy or drop off items?

Have the shopping done for you, by donating:

1) Via cash or cheque to “Welcoming Arms” – 44 Metcalfe St, Aurora, ON L4G 1E6

2) Via e-transfer to welcomingarms@live.ca

3) At www.welcomingarms.ca/donate

***If you know of someone who could use extra financial, emotional and spiritual support, please link them with Welcoming Arms atwww.welcomingarms.ca or by calling 905-726-1483

For the latest on how your donations are helping our community, follow us on Facebook and Instagram! https://www.facebook.com/welcomingarms/https://www.instagram.com/welcomingarms_/ - be sure to include the underscore “_” at the end, if searching on your mobile

Collectively we can make a difference in someone’s life!

Mission Statement…

“Welcoming Arms believes in the inherent dignity of all people. Reflecting Christ’s love, we seek to help Aurora residents in need to experience a fuller participation in society by providing social, economic and spiritual support.”