History

Early Beginnings

Ottawa Innercity Ministries (OIM) began in June 1988. After years of serving the poor through other agencies, Rev. Susan Brandt and Katrine Coward answered God’s call and left their jobs to go into the highways and the byways, bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the poor. With the support and blessing of the local churches, they became OIM’s first street missionaries to the poor in our Nation’s Capital. Mobile on the streets and in borrowed space, they worked among the wounded, offering hope and practical care to those who called the streets their home. For the next 15 years, Rev. Susan Brandt remained with OIM, serving as its Executive Director.

A New Chapter

In 2003, Rev. Ken MacLaren assumed the duties of Executive Director, and the work of OIM among the poor and homeless continues. Our staff and growing number of volunteers participate in OIM’s services which include Street Outreach, Drop In programs, a youth art program, Work Skills development as well as advocacy, referrals, computer access, and much more. Behind the scenes, and playing a crucial role, is also a faithful team of “Innercity Intercessors” who pray daily for this ministry.
We are responsible to a Board of Directors made up of Christians from all parts of the church family. We are an incorporated charity and exist on freewill offerings and not ongoing government funding.

Serving the Poor

We reach out to all manner of people, ranging in age from the cradle to the grave, children with children, runaway teens, those sexually exploited in prostitution, addicts, released offenders, deinstitutionalized mentally ill folks, the physically ill, the socially isolated, the homeless, the elderly, the least and the lost. Reintegrating these individuals into society is an essential component of OIM’s mission. By coming alongside the wounded and vulnerable, by offering hope and practical care, by identifying and encouraging the use of their skills and talents, OIM seeks to communicate to the public and to its street friends that the poor and marginalized are valued and have a worthwhile contribution to make.

With the help of faithful supporters and volunteers, we will enrich one another with our presence, our gifts and talents, as we move in a healing way among the poor.