The guest speaker at our May 12 meeting was Larry Marrow from 519 Pursuit, a London based organization working with the homeless and people living on the street.
Larry shared how funding in London from all levels of government is extremely precarious at present and is always very uncertain, impacting staff (1 FT, 3 PT) and volunteers.
Rotary helps those in need - locally, regionally and around the world.
Rotary helps those in need - locally, regionally and around the world.
In appreciation of their work here in London, the Rotary Club of London-Lambeth donated a cheque to 519 Pursuit representing our original donation earlier in the Rotary year with a top-up. Larry indicated the support like ours is vital in these uncertain times.
https://www.519pursuit.ca/
https://www.519pursuit.ca/
Larry Marrow, 519 Pursuit, Rev. Doug Peck, Rotarian Drew Annable and our club President, John Robinson
Pursuit 519 operates on a friendship-based approach, meeting their "friends" exactly where they are—in encampments, bus shelters and alleyways—not just to deliver supplies, but to offer a consistent, empathetic presence in a world that often looks the other way.
The volunteers don’t just "drop off" items; they learn names, listen to stories, and celebrate the small wins—whether it’s a new piece of art shared from a sketchbook or the simple joy of choosing their own pair of socks. This foundation of trust allows them to act as a bridge, helping their "friends" navigate complex systems and connect with further resources when they are ready.
The volunteers don’t just "drop off" items; they learn names, listen to stories, and celebrate the small wins—whether it’s a new piece of art shared from a sketchbook or the simple joy of choosing their own pair of socks. This foundation of trust allows them to act as a bridge, helping their "friends" navigate complex systems and connect with further resources when they are ready.