50 TH ANNIVERSARY OF Ray of Hope
“Ray of Hope is a place where the church and the community come together to serve the needs of others,” said Ray of Hope CEO Harry Whyte, who has been with the organization 13 years and counting. “This takes place in a variety of ways and around a variety of needs, but at the heart of it is our vision, being lived out as ‘people investing in people, inspiring hope, transforming life.”
Ray of Hope officially celebrates its 50th anniversary this year; however, unofficially its roots were started long before by founder, Arman Wright, a pastor. Wright began working with the Guelph Reformatory doing chapel services and orchestrating a film ministry for the prison. “God developed a passion within him to see how young men could be supported and helped to integrate back into the community after serving out their sentence,” explained Whyte. “This eventually led to a group coming together to start Ray of Hope to be a halfway house for young offenders. We still operate that facility on the original three acre piece of property that was donated by a local farmer in Petersburg, Elverne Hallman.” Today, Ray of Hope provides community support focusing on their five ministries: Community Support, Refugee Support, Youth Justice, Youth Employment and Youth Addiction. These five categories umbrella all that Ray of Hope has to offer, including hot meals, short-term living, alternative education programs for young offenders and addiction coping strategies for youth who struggle with substance abuse. “One of the strengths of Ray of Hope is the involvement of volunteers who do so much in our programs,” said Whyte. “Last year we had over 2,300 volunteers who shared their life with our community. Our volunteer team tries to align people’s passions and talents with opportunities to serve.” Whether it’s volunteering, needing a helping hand or being on the board, those that come to Ray of Hope, find a sense of home. “I first got involved when I was unemployed after being downsized from my first management job and a good friend at church asked me if I would serve on the board of Ray of Hope,” explained Whyte. “I had never heard of the organization, but had the attitude that I would respond to any door that God would open in my life at that time. I found that the work that we did resonated with me personally and with our family. In 2007, I volunteered to be part of the search committee to fill the CEO position and through a lengthy process, you could say I found myself, and in February 2008, I took on this leadership role. It has turned out to be the most fulfilling work and ministry experience of my life.” On Friday, May 26th, Ray of Hope celebrated their 50th anniversary with a Praise and Worship evening alongside past and present volunteers and members of the community. “We have produced a brief history book about Ray of Hope that shares many of the stories about what has, and continues to, take place in the work we do in our community, entitled ’50 Years, A Journey of Hope,’” said Whyte. On Friday, November 17th, Ray of Hope will celebrate its 50th anniversary once again at a gala dinner held at Victoria Park Pavilion. The event will feature Second Cup founder and author of ‘When All You Have is Hope,’ Frank O’Dea as the Keynote Speaker and Gary Doyle as Master of Ceremonies. “I consider it an honour to have a place with so many people, both current and from the past that have shared their lives in support of our community through Ray of Hope,” said Whyte. “Whether it be a staff member, volunteer or supporter, God has done some remarkable things through them and many people’s lives are different today than they would have been without them.” For more information on how to get involved or volunteer with Ray of Hope visit: www.rayofhope.net/howyoucanhelp/volunteer