The Raw Carrot makes soup and provides jobs, human dignity to people with disabilities

Andrea Draijer of Victoria, B.C. knows how challenging it is for people with disabilities to find a job.

 

That’s why the mother of two children with developmental disabilities, ages 22 and 19, was glad to learn about The Raw Carrot, a Canadian church-based social enterprise that employs people with disabilities to make handcrafted soups and breakfast products. 

 

“The primary driver is to do something tangible for people who need a job, to give them the dignity of work,” says Rebecca Sherbino, who started the social enterprise in 2014.

 

In October, Draijer opened a Raw Carrot in Victoria through Sanctuary Youth Centre, the faith-based ministry where she works. It is one of ten that operate across the country.

Photo above: Caleb and Toni, two workers at The Raw Carrot in Victoria.

 

Read my story about the Raw Carrot in Canadian Affairs.

Secret to aging well during "forest years" is gratitude and forgiveness, new book says

 

Maybe it's because I'm getting older, but lately books about spirituality and aging have started to appeal to me. Like Insane for the Light: A Spirituality for Our Wisdom Years by Father Ron Rolheiser. (Originally from Cactus Lake, SK.)

The book references the Hindu tradition of Ashrama, or the four stages of life starting with Brahmacharya, or student stage; Grihastha, or householder stage; and Vanaprastha, or forest dwelling stage—a time we call retirement today, a time of leaving a life of work and gently disengaging from that former world, a time of expressing gratitude and engaging in forgiveness of others and, importantly, yourself.

That is preparation for the final stage, called Sannyasa, or sage, a time before death when people become “insane for the light” of spiritual liberation. 

Read more in my recent column in the Free Press.