On June 20, 2004, during our annual year end Youth Celebration, we were pleased to witness the commissioning of Marie Green as our new Youth Minister.
Marie has been dedicated to working on issues concerning the health of the family, community development and children's rights in both a voluntary and paid capacity for over ten years. She graduated from Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada) in June 2000, with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in Divinity. She has fulfilled various administrative assignments in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Social Services and the Ministry of Energy, Science and Technology.
Marie has been socially active since joining the North York Youth Committee on Community, Race and Ethnic Relations in 1992. As a member of this committee, she acted in the capacity of chair, secretary and media relations' person, until 1996, when she left to pursue a university education.
In 1996, she represented the city of Toronto on a delegation team of youth at the Metropolis Conference in Tokyo, Japan. Most of Marie's social work has largely involved youth issues, which she has addressed in public speeches and talks to various organizations.
In 1997, she branched out into larger issues, by joining two women's groups in the city of Ottawa. In an attempt to have the voice of those she represents heard, such as children and youth, she has written for local newspapers such as The Spectrum in Ottawa and the Carleton University Newspaper The Charlatan.
In June of 2001, she completed a six-month internship as a Junior Professional Consultant at the United Nations in the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children and Armed Conflict.
Marie is absolutely passionate about, and dedicated to, addressing children and youth issues and bringing their concerns to the forefront. In May of 2002, she returned to the Office of the Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict as a consultant during the United Nations Special Session on Children.
Marie has worked as Project Coordinator for a United Way project in Toronto's West End. She currently provides consultation to various community groups and churches. She sees the welfare of today's children and youth as a determining factor in the future of our families and believes in the natural right of children to health, well being and education.
We welcome Marie to our family and wish her every success and blessing as she shares ministry with the youth of our church and community.
