Rag dolls are our powerful symbols. They touch hearts and speak volumes. These Dolls of Hope are created by dedicated women, men and children of the United Church. Each is given a name and represents one of the more than 1.2 million children in poverty in our country.* They are presented to politicians and others of influence who can create or change policy and direct funding.  Every doll has a certificate attached stating what children in poverty and their families need most:
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♥  Affordable housing
♥  Food security
♥  Affordable child care 
♥  A living wage
♥  A national strategy
Have a look here at our photos of a rag doll workshop.  You can do the same.  We have patterns, instructions and certificates to share with you.
 ♥ Just a note - the dolls are not safety tested, so are not to be given to children.
​On November 24th, 2016, the Bread not Stones project was presented in the Ontario legislature in Toronto. We were introduced by our host, the Hon. Chris Ballard, Minister for the Poverty Reduction Strategy/Minister of Housing. 15 of us from across the province attended, including representatives from the General Council Office of the United Church and the UCW and a First Nations Minister. As we looked on, our 107 Dolls ​of Hope were delivered to every MPP's desk. Their impact was powerful. Sophie Kiwala, Liberal MPP for Kingston and the Islands, read our statement in the chamber. 5 of us then participated in a very constructive half hour meeting with Minister Ballard. Our group was honoured to be a voice for our children in poverty. *Click on the photos below to enlarge and read captions.
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Meet Ann Stokes, doll-maker extraordinaire at Wesley-Knox United Church in London, Ontario. Her love for sewing and her strong desire to help end child poverty have led her to create approximately 300 dolls to date. Ann also leads rag doll workshops and has added important revisions to the doll pattern and instructions. Never one to let grass grow under her feet, she has now designed clothing with instructions for the dolls, as well as a very helpful hair tutorial. Ann is more than happy to share these delightful patterns with you. *Just click on the links below to download and print them.  
                                         Thank you Ann! 
            Patterns: Dress, Dungarees, T-Shirt and Pants, Sweater; Instructions and 
            Hair Tutorial.           
           We'd be happy to help. Contact us at:  wecanendchildpoverty@gmail.com 

                                            We'd love to hear about your dolls! ​
​* Campaign 2000: 2017 Report Card on Child and Family Poverty in Canada.