HAWKESBURY, ONTARIO, CANADA
PROUD CANADIAN PODCASTER, WRITER & CONTENT CREATOR
THIS WEEKS ORGANIZATION MAKING CHANGES, STEPS OFF THE STREET
S.O.S. STEPS OFF THE STREET INTRODUCTION
Our mission is to empower individuals experiencing homelessness to transition from the streets into addiction recovery. We achieve this through direct support, providing essential resources and fostering a sense of community. Approximately 60% of our volunteers are in recovery themselves, sharing lived experience to bring hope and build p
Our mission is to empower individuals experiencing homelessness to transition from the streets into addiction recovery. We achieve this through direct support, providing essential resources and fostering a sense of community. Approximately 60% of our volunteers are in recovery themselves, sharing lived experience to bring hope and build peer connections.
We facilitate group peer to peer support meetings weekly with Ottawas’ most vulnerable. Providing direction and purpose for both those we serve and those who volunteer.
MEET THE FOUNDER: GERALD JORGENSON’S STORY
I have fought addiction issues most of my life. The last two and half years of active addiction were spent living and suffering on the street homeless. I have been sober since Jan 9, 2023. Founded S.O.S Steps Off the Street, Oct 2024. I know what it feels like to be homeless, suffering from addiction, and having nothing and no one.
S.O.S.
I have fought addiction issues most of my life. The last two and half years of active addiction were spent living and suffering on the street homeless. I have been sober since Jan 9, 2023. Founded S.O.S Steps Off the Street, Oct 2024. I know what it feels like to be homeless, suffering from addiction, and having nothing and no one.
S.O.S. started by me making sandwiches collecting clothes and going out to the street by myself. Eventually, people started to join me, and God has grown it into what it is today. It is the greatest feeling to help those in need and bring hope to those who want addiction recovery and guide them through that process.
To contact Gerald please email stepsoffthestreet@gmail.com
ITEMS WE NEED AT S.O.S.
ITEMS WE NEED AT S.O.S.
Donations of non-perishable food, warm clothing, hygiene products, and blankets provide immediate relief to those experiencing homelessness. Every item, from socks to sleeping bags, offers dignity and comfort. By supporting our organization, you help us provide essential resources and a lifeline to those in need. Your contribution makes a
Donations of non-perishable food, warm clothing, hygiene products, and blankets provide immediate relief to those experiencing homelessness. Every item, from socks to sleeping bags, offers dignity and comfort. By supporting our organization, you help us provide essential resources and a lifeline to those in need. Your contribution makes a tangible difference in building a more compassionate community.
Please email to stepsoffstreet@gmail.com to schedule a dropoff or pickup of items.
ITEMS WE NEED
ITEMS WE NEED AT S.O.S.
Shoes & Clothing:
Coats, jackets, hats, gloves, scarves, shoes, boots and socks are crucial, especially during colder months.
Hygiene Products:
Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, and feminine hygiene products are vital for maintaining personal hygiene.
Blankets & Sleeping Bags
Shoes & Clothing:
Coats, jackets, hats, gloves, scarves, shoes, boots and socks are crucial, especially during colder months.
Hygiene Products:
Soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, and feminine hygiene products are vital for maintaining personal hygiene.
Blankets & Sleeping Bags
These provide warmth and a safe place to rest.
First-Aid Supplies
Band-aids, antiseptic wipes, pain relievers, and any necessary medications.
Food, Snacks, & Sandwiches
Ready-to-eat options like sandwiches, fruit, granola bars, and other easy-to-carry snacks.
Bottled Water
Access to clean drinking water is critical for health and well-being.
FRIDAY, JUNE 27th & SATURDAY, JUNE 28th, 2025
HAWKESBURY MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL 2025
Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada
4th Edition Festival Multiculturel De Hawkesbury
June 27th & 28th, 2025
“Special Guest, Roch Voisine”
(Entry/FREE)
MENTAL HEALTH & OUR CHILDREN
May is Mental Health Month for Children Also? Have You Asked A Child How Everything’s Going Lately?
Talking to Your Children About Mental Health
- Adam Stacey, Content Creator, Writer, & Mental Health Advocate, Lunchroom News & Entertainment
Mental health is an essential part of overall well-being, yet it’s a topic many parents find difficult to discuss with their children. However, starting these conversations early can help reduce stigma, build emotional intelligence, and foster open communication. Children, just like adults, experience a range of emotions and challenges, and understanding mental health helps them navigate life with greater confidence and resilience.
Why It Matters
Children begin forming their understanding of emotions and relationships at a very young age. When parents talk openly about feelings and mental well-being, they normalize these discussions and create a safe space for children to express themselves. Mental health conversations don’t need to be prompted by a crisis. They can—and should—be part of everyday life. Talking about how it’s okay to feel sad, anxious, or overwhelmed teaches children that these emotions are a normal part of the human experience.
When to Start
There’s no “perfect” age to begin talking about mental health. Even preschool-aged children can understand basic emotional vocabulary like “happy,” “sad,” “angry,” or “scared.” As children grow, parents can gradually introduce more complex topics such as stress, anxiety, depression, and coping strategies. Tailoring the conversation to your child’s developmental stage helps ensure they understand and feel comfortable asking questions.
How to Start the Conversation
Start with open-ended questions like, “How are you feeling today?” or “Did anything happen at school that made you feel upset or excited?” Use books, shows, or real-life events as conversation starters. For example, if a character in a movie feels nervous, ask your child if they’ve ever felt that way.
Use age-appropriate language and be honest. If your child asks about mental illness, provide a clear, non-frightening explanation. You might say, “Sometimes people’s brains don’t work the way they want them to, and they need help, just like we go to the doctor when we’re sick.”
Model Healthy Behavior
Children learn a lot from observing their parents. Modeling healthy emotional habits—like talking about your feelings, asking for help, and using coping strategies like deep breathing or taking a walk—shows them that it’s okay to care for their mental health. It also reassures them that adults experience and manage tough emotions too.
Encourage Open Communication
Let your child know they can talk to you without fear of judgment or punishment. Validate their feelings, even if you don’t fully understand them. Saying “I hear you” or “That sounds really tough” helps them feel seen and supported. If your child does open up about a mental health concern, take it seriously. Avoid minimizing their experiences or jumping straight into problem-solving mode. Sometimes they just need someone to listen.
Seek Help When Needed Finally, let your child know that getting help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Whether it’s talking to a school counselor, a therapist, or a doctor, professional support is a valuable resource. By teaching your children that mental health matters and that it’s okay to ask for help, you empower them with lifelong tools to thrive emotionally and mentally.
Be Involved In Your Child’s Mental Healthcare…
MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH
MENTAL HEALTH WEEK, MAY 5th-11th, 2025
Mental Health Awareness Week (May 5th–11th, 2025) falls within Mental Health Awareness Month, which is observed throughout the month of May in Canada, and several other countries.
- Raising awareness about mental health issues
- Reducing the stigma around mental illness
- Encouraging open conversations and support
Podcast Announcement To Friends, & Followers
Welcome to The Lunchroom Folks, Weekly Podcast’s, Wednesday‘s all of 2025 At 5:00 P.M. EST ZONE. Click Adam’s Podcast Button On My Main Page. Check Out My New Website, But Remember, My Sites Under Construction With Things Growing & Changing Daily, Please Follow My Selection Of Social Media Apps For News & Entertainment, But Never Fear Enjoy The Current Content & Information About My Content Life & New Book, A Self-Help Memoir About Me & My Life With A Transparent Look Into Coming Out, Mental Health Problems & Advice That I Wish Someone Could Have Shared With Me. Sending Love To All Of You From