Reaching for rainbows

I’ve got terrific neighbours. I do. Living in a community like Prince Edward County spoils you for anyplace else. One of my neighbours is a minister. Lynne Donovan. Not the preachy, Sunday-go-to-meeting kinda person at all. Lynne is intense but is as involved in her congregation as she is in her own family, her friends and her neighbours. Some would say it’s hard to see where the lines are in Lynne’s life, but it’s easy to see she’s got a big heart and a kind soul. And a lot of fundamental sorts of adherents think maybe, just maybe, she goes a bit to far with her embrace. I think not. The doors of St. Andrew’s are always open to everyone and anyone in the County. The reverend is intensely committed to her caring, sharing and creative community. Her mind is always in “drive” mode—no, make that “overdrive.” Over the years she has been the “driving force” behind many creative, community outreach projects. Ya, you could say Reverend Lynne is driven and her latest project, Reaching for Rainbows, is one of Lynne’s caring, creative, community ideas. So a few weeks ago we got together for tea (which was just the bait to lure me out of my house, across the yard and over to her place) where she told me all about her dream. Such a vivid dream, it was difficult for her to find a place to start and, apparently, hard to remember the “tea” part of the visit. But, I’ll knock the whole thing out in some kind of logical order. Lynne had a point, tea wasn’t part of her point.

First, the facts. Apparently, Prince Edward and Hastings has an interesting “claim to fame” with one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in Ontario. Mmmm. And, about 40 per cent of kindergarten to grade four students in the County aren’t quite keeping up with the provincial norm in areas such as academics, literacy, physical health and emotional maturity. Yikes. So much for what most of us might have been thinking. Forty per cent. Additionally, a Belleville paper recently reported on a study concluding “Kindergarten students in the Quinte region are among some of the most vulnerable in Ontario.” And, as if it weren’t enough to be among the most vulnerable, “children in our region are up to 16 per cent more likely to struggle with poor physical health and wellbeing and 15 per cent more likely to battle with poor language and cognitive skills.” As the Rev dished up these study findings, I couldn’t help thinking Quinte must be sitting on a nuclear waste dump and all the toxins are eroding all of our creative goodness. What the H E double negatives is going on here?

Lynne and, I’m sure, many of you have noticed the problem. Have a listen and a look. Some of our community’s children are vulnerable. Lynne Donovan told me, in not so many words, it’s her heartfelt business to create an opportunity to do something about our wee problem. St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Picton (Lynne’s flock) is a congregation filled with savvy professionals who “share a passion for the healthy development of children.” Her congregation, in partnership with Prince Edward Children’s Aid Society, Prince Edward and Hastings Children’s Mental Health Services and Alternatives for Women, is all over this innovative program, Reaching for Rainbows, and has agreed to move forward with a focus on the developmental and emotional needs of local girls in Grade One. This year, 12 girls. Next year, who knows.

So, what’s the point. Well, Reaching for Rainbows has a mission: “To create a nurturing environment where girls are celebrated and encouraged to develop life skills, academic skills and a visa for their own success.” Twelve Grade One girls will have an opportunity to participate in the Reaching for Rainbows program to develop positive, personal relationships with other girls their own age, and with adults who will be there to help them uncover their own creativity and work on improving their academic skills. Participants will learn to develop their own tools for decision making, conflict resolution and plain old enjoyment of life—little girl style. These young girls will have a chance to see their lives as exciting, joyous and productive without feeling threatened in the creative, caring community of Reverend Lynne’s dream. An opportunity of a dream!

And the business of making this dream a reality is money. Come on, you knew it before I mentioned it. There may be a pot of gold at the end of every rainbow, but someone has to put the gold in the pot. Reaching for Rainbows’s start-up costs are $10,000. The yearly budget, which includes a project co-ordinator, will be $18,000. You could get in touch with Reverend Lynne at 613-476- 1167 and make a donation to this great cause. Or, if you like a bit of bang for your ten bucks, on Sunday, April 10 from 2 until 5 in the afternoon, St. Andrew’s Church on King Street in Picton will host a fundraising concert for this very important program. For ten bucks, you’ll be able to sit back in those comfy chairs and listen to the stylings of Katalin Kiss, Mark Despault, Instant Rivalry and Amy Rutherford. Ten bucks will be all you’re asked to give. No one will walk around with a collection plate or pass a hat, but don’t be afraid to bring a little extra “if the spirit moves you.” No pressure. Of course, there’ll be refreshments and as an added bonus, I’ll be there (along with a whole neighbourhood of people) to sell you a ticket. I promise not to sing or try to play an instrument!