To the Editor:

Canton United Methodist Church (UMC) is pleased to write in support of the Transformation House project proposed by Grace Episcopal Church and New Hope Transformation House Ministries.

As a neighboring church in Canton, we applaud your commitment to actively supporting community members in need, a mission we also seek to fulfill as the living expression of our shared Christian principles.

Establishing Transformation House as a supervised residence for up to six North Country women in recovery from addiction will address a critical need that has been too long ignored—there are currently no services dedicated solely to women north of Watertown. Canton UMC also supports local residents in recovery by sponsoring weekly meetings for both Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous.

In addition to wholeheartedly endorsing your project goals, we confirm our willingness to partner with you by providing multiple volunteer opportunities for the women living in the new residence. Since 1999, Canton UMC has offered freewill meals for community members, which require many volunteers in both the kitchen and dining hall to accommodate up to 130 weekly attendees.

Several men from Canton’s residence for men in addiction recovery, North Country Freedom Homes, have become wonderful members of our volunteer team for these meals. Our United Methodist Women (UMW)’s group, one of the most active in the area, organizes seasonal rummage sales and special projects (e.g., hygiene kits for disaster victims).

These activities would be another potential source for meaningful volunteer work, particularly since the UMW’s mission focuses on women and children. Lastly, several Canton UMC congregation members are longstanding volunteers at the Church & Community Program and could certainly help Transformation House residents not only become involved in programs (e.g., thrift shop, school supply program), but also learn more about accessing key local services (e.g., food pantry, heating assistance, etc.).

Canton UMC feels that Grace Church Transformation House will make a real difference in the lives of North Country women seeking a second chance to become valued and productive members of our community. Your compassionate, yet practical approach to the supervision of the residents and plans to involve them in job training, volunteer work, and community events are well conceived.

We believe that Grace Church Transformation House will become an invaluable local resource and a credit to the Canton community. We look forward to partnering with you in this important work.

Rev. Michael Terrell, Pastor, Canton UMC

Jane Brown, church council chair