By: Danielle Dufour
Top Photo supplied from Church in the Hood Facebook page
Ralph Nicotine, known as Hip-hop artist Biz Nico from Red Pheasant First Nation, is the founder of Church in the Hood Ministries, a non-profit outreach ministry based in Saskatoon.
The Church in the Hood has been serving the community for over 12 years by bringing hope and practical support to people facing addictions, houselessness and poverty through their outreach programs that include summer BBQs, mentorship, community events and their Warm-Up Bus during the winter months.
On June 19th, the Church in the Hood Ministries will be hosting a fundraising evening at the Ramada Hotel with special guest performance by Raven Reid, an Indigenous folk singer/songwriter from Yellowknife with connections to the Mikisew First Nation, who now lives in Saskatoon and is one of their sponsors.
“I just believe in everything they’re doing,” said Reid. “I used to live in the hood in Saskatoon, so I see the differences when communities come together and work together.”
Reid used to live in Embassy Gardens and also on 20th Street in Saskatoon.
“Being surrounded by darkness constantly and hearing the sounds of the hood, which is fighting and gunshots, I suffered with a lot of mental health issues because of that,” said Reid.
Photo of: Raven Reid, supplied from her Facebook account
She lived in poverty and worked hard to get out of that environment. She credits her faith in God and her ability to help others for saving and healing her.
“I sobered up about three and a half years ago,” said Reid. “Now I’ve gotten us out of there and we’re thriving.”
“We have a mentorship program where we mentor about 10 guys weekly,” said Biz Nico. “We do barbecue outreaches right down on 20th Street … and we also have a little PA system there so do some music and share with the people and talk with them.”
The funds raised will help support ongoing outreach initiatives including community BBQs, homeless outreach, transportation costs, food programs, winter clothing distribution, and ministry opportunities in communities throughout Saskatchewan.
“We’re going to share our testimonies of where we came from in the streets and the gang life, and how we found purpose,” said Biz Nico.
The evening will feature live music by Biz Nico and guest speakers Cody Bates and Emilio Cove.
Cody Bates is the author of The Devil’s Pupil. He was once a gangster, drug dealer and drug addict, convicted murderer and inmate at a maximum-security prison. His life turned around when he heard a voice that changed his life forever. He works with the Adult and Teen Challenge Okanagan Men’s Centre and is the founder and director of The Avery Projects, a charity aimed to help those seeking help with addictions.
Church in the Hood Ministries started with a desire to serve those who often feel forgotten or overlooked.
What began as a simple outreach has grown into a ministry that serves people throughout Saskatoon and surrounding communities.
They believe every person has value and deserves to know they are loved and supported.
For more information, contact Church in the Hood Ministries through Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/churchinthehood) or by calling 639-384-0924.