Christopher
Leadership Courses have been offered in Canada since the first course
was run in 1953 at Windsor, Ontario. The Lumen Institute, which is the
governing body for all Christopher Leadership Courses, is responsible
for the professional training and certification of all instructing
teams. The Minister of Employment and Immigration Canada has certified
the Christopher Leadership Courses as an educational institution. When
tuition fees exceed $100.00, a tax credit may be claimed. Each year,
over 1000 individuals successfully complete and graduate from courses
held across Canada.
Class
instruction is undertaken by dedicated volunteers who not only receive
regular skills training, but who have themselves benefited from taking
the course. This unique feature makes possible programs which are
sensitive in their approach, time proven in their effectiveness and yet
at only the cost of materials and administration.
The course runs
for three hours, one night a week, for between eight to eleven weeks.
The final week is graduation. Each interlocking session is informal,
fun and challenging. The course is open to anyone over the age of 16,
and no formal education is necessary. Courses are generally offered
twice a year.
The word
Christopher comes from a Greek word that means "Christ-bearer". An age
old myth tells of a man, St. Christopher, who carried a helpless child
across a raging river on a stormy night. St. Christopher dedicated his
strength to the service of others.
