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PRESBYTERIAN
FALL 2024
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The Raw Carrot Expands Ministry
By Diane Talbot-Schoenhoff, Director of Communications, the Raw Carrot
A decade after Paris Presbyterian Church (now Paris Community Church), in Paris, Ont., and The Presbyterian Church in Canada decided to support a ministry that provided a hand up to people liv- ing on the margins in their con- gregation, the Raw Carrot is now expanding its ministry beyond Ontario.
The Raw Carrot employs peo- ple to make handcrafted gourmet foods in church kitchens that are sold online, at farmers’ markets and at upscale grocery stores.
The Raw Carrot was founded in 2014 by two women—Rebecca Sherbino and Colleen Graham— who had a heart to help people with disabilities in the congrega- tion, who were relying on a be- nevolent fund to make ends meet because they couldn’t find jobs. The women were inspired by Mi- cah 6:8: “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Co-Founder and Executive Di- rector Rebecca Sherbino is grate- ful to all those in the community who have supported the Raw Carrot over the past 10 years. “By supporting the Raw Carrot, we’re helping build healthier and more vibrant communities through sup- ported employment,” she said. “Research shows that work mat- ters to people not only to achieve
financial security but also as an important contributor to a healthy and vibrant society.”
What began as a ministry to create jobs by cooking and sell- ing soup has expanded beyond southwestern Ontario into Mani- toba, its first out-of-province site. After a decade, the Raw Carrot is now a nationally recognized social purpose organization that has been successfully providing meaningful employment to people across Southwestern Ontario with plans to scale across Canada.
10th anniversary celebration and
awards ceremony
On June 13, the Raw Carrot host- ed a 10th Anniversary Celebra- tion and Awards Ceremony at the site of their headquarters at Paris Community Church, where it all began. Municipal and provincial delegates joined more than 240 guests, including staff and vol- unteers, corporate partners, do- nors and friends to celebrate this significant milestone. The event commemorated a decade of creating supported employment, community and the dignity of work for individuals with barriers to traditional employment.
Deidre Pipher is a member of the church and attended the cel- ebration. She was so impacted by the event that she emailed her im- pressions to the Raw Carrot team: “The anniversary event was more moving than I anticipated. Being a member of the church, and see-
The 10th Anniversary celebration of the Raw Carrot.
ing the evolution and direction that the Raw Carrot has gone since early days, it was incredible to be part of an evening to cele- brate all that God is doing through this ministry. In particular, hearing from individuals who either work at the Raw Carrot or their family members was particularly mean- ingful. The idea of a hand up, and not a handout is one that is em- bodied through this ministry.
“I’m a longtime soup purchaser (my freezer always has a variety) and it is certainly rare to be able to purchase a product and then be able to see the direct impact of it. The anniversary evening was a perfect way to bring friends, do- nors, employees, family mem- bers, community members, and partners together to celebrate an incredible milestone. It’s not an
evening I will soon forget. Every time I pull out a soup from my freezer, I smile and give thanks for the faces that I can now connect to the ministry.”
Throughout the evening, Re- becca and her staff recognized the suppor ters that have made this initiative possible, including recognition of The Presbyterian Church in Canada and Paris Com- munity Church for their substantial generosity over the last decade.
“Without this incredible support from the church,” she said, “this would not have been possible or sustainable. We’re immensely grateful for the church support.”
Hopelessness to hope— isolation to community During the anniversary celebra- tions, staff and volunteers shared stories about how the organiza- tion began and the impact it’s had on them, their families and the surrounding community. Dur- ing a panel discussion led by Re- becca Sherbino, Janice, a retired site manager, shared her touching story of starting a site to provide a job for her daughter:
“When my daughter started working at the Raw Carrot, she had been unemployed for sev- eral years. She was struggling to find the correct treatment for her mental health issues and was completely unable to work in a traditional workplace. She was unhappy, bored and list- less. Hearing Colleen Graham talk about supported employment for people living with disabilities was literally an answer to prayer. I could see the possibilities.
“Over the past seven-plus years, Susan (name has been changed) has worked steadily at the Raw Carrot and has picked up other part-time employment too. Supported employment has been the key to success at the
Raw Carrot. She feels success- ful, and needed, and productive. She knows what her strengths are. She knows she has a lot to offer... Now she can use those skills to do other jobs—house cleaning, gardening and dog walking. She has made friends with our volunteers, and other employees. Employment with purpose is a huge part of hav- ing a life with purpose. Now she takes piano lessons, has joined the local Green Team, taken part in Toastmasters for several years, has a plot at the community gar- den, joined a self-help recovery group, been part of a theatrical production. Her life is full and rich. A big part of this change has to do with the Raw Carrot.
“As a mother of a child who is trying to make life work on ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program), I can tell you that I lie awake at night and worry about how she will survive when her father and I are gone. I have seen firsthand the injustice of a sys- tem where people are struggling to survive on a benefit that is so far below the poverty line, it is laughable. With the Raw Carrot, I see the beginning of a solution to this issue, but there is much more to do, and we cannot do it alone. We need supported employment for those who can work in this context. The Raw Carrot has been HUGE in helping me realize that there is hope for people with dis- abilities to find employment with purpose. And, there is a commu- nity out there who is ready, willing and able to help. I am so proud to have been a part of this excellent organization. So, hopelessness to hope, isolation to community, that’s what the Raw Carrot is.”
To find out how you can join this church-led movement, visit therawcarrot.com or info@ rawcarrot.com.
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COORDINATOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Glenview Presbyterian Church in Toronto, Ont., is seeking a passionate and dynamic individual to lead our community engagement and outreach activities. If you have a heart for service and experience in organizing events, we want to hear from you! This role involves creating and promoting intergenerational events and engagement activities, and connecting with church members and the broader community. Apply today to help us transform lives
through meaningful connections.
For more information
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