Posted by ken on March 11, 2011 · Leave a Comment
March winds blow, or it pours rain, minus 30 with the wind chill – or any combination thereof. Only in Canada, eh?
We can look forward to spring, but it seems a long time coming.
No less for our street friends – not that’s the understatement of the year.
Christmas is a time typically when there is a generous outpouring of love and generosity to those on the streets and we are thankful for this. But what about after Christmas?
Maybe we don’t think about it all that much, but the winter is a misery when you are on the move all the time, with no place to rest your usually wet, cold, freezing feet. The laundromat is usually a good place, but it is often the case that the proprietors of the same are on the lookout for people who don’t wash their clothes. The laundromat just beside our offfice entance is a good example. It is common for the police to be called to this place, because some of Ottawa’s homeless population need a warm place.
In extreme cold -whatever that is- I guess it depends on whether or not you are in the cold all the time . Street-engaged people are herded up and forced to go ‘inside’ (not the Chateau Laurier). This experience can be worse that staying outside, because it is yet another violation of their persons (the force that can accompany can be excessive) – there are reasons why people cannot access services.
I guess I’m painting a pretty dark, bleak picture. A bit negative, eh? But it is what it is – I’m pretty sure about that.
What then? Well, don’t forget about those on the streets, even when the weather has some degree of improvement: the nights are still very cold.
Why not think about doing something about this problem? You could contact one of the local agencies in your city and volunteer to do something. Maybe you could give something – time, talents or money. Stop and talk to someone you pass who is panhandling on the streets: you would be surprised how ‘invisible’ someone can become as soon as they sit on a curb with a ball cap and ask for money. Give or not, it’s up to you, but you need to see that this is a real person, with a real story, he/she is where she is, not from choice, but from a cascade of trouble that they could do nothing to change (it usually begins with childhood abuse – how can we hold someone responsible for that?)
Give some change if you like – better a bill. Once you give, forget about what will happen to it. We hold people so very responsible for so little, when we are so careless with the treasures with which we have been blessed.
One thing for sure: we really can’t do nothing about this. In our affluence, remember the poor.
Make a difference. Go out there and change your world.
Filed under About OIM, Addictions, Alcoholism, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, General Poverty, Homelessness, Injustice, Justice, justice canada, mental health, mental illness, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Volunteer Ottawa, Volunteering · Tagged with Addictions, Alcoholism, break cycle poverty, Dignity, drop in, drop in service, injustice Ontario, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ottawa, Respect, social justice, Street Outreach, Street Youth, Volunteer, Volunteering, walk the streets
Posted by ken on January 20, 2011 · 4 Comments
Our Christmas Dinner was held this past Tuesday, January 18. Three weeks after Christmas and people who received their cheques before Christmas are ready for a hot turkey dinner. Seems to work for everyone.
Two settings of eighty people each, tickets are distributed and it works well. This year we had an East Coast Trio that did well: one of our Newfoundland guys said, “I close my eyes and I’m back home.”
Volunteers cooking, serving, cleaning, visiting – with our friends from the streets sharing words of thanks and appreciation. One Christmas treat bag each, along with one sock filled with more treats. The other sock was inside the first one – I asked.
So, near the end of the second setting I leave through the kitchen door to return my camera to the car.
I noticed someone standing, well leaning, on the wall outside the main door, just out of view of anyone inside. He was standing on one foot, his leather dress boot in one hand, while at the same time, he is putting on a fresh emptied sock from the gift table. I looked away to preserve some of my friend’s dignity, and my mind was flooded with thoughts filled with emotion.
I didn’t notice any used socks around when I returned: I wonder if he had any socks on at all. The leather dress boots had seen better days, and then only inside, but the winter had turned them white with salt, and there was enough water to penetrate the leather right to the bare feet.
What could happen to a person that he would not have socks? This is sadness.
Then, what could be a better Christmas present than a clean, fresh, warm pair of socks? Can’t get much better than that! That is gladness.
Sadness and gladness all wrapped up in a simple exercise of putting on a pair of socks. The sad story behind this we may never know, but we could imagine there’s a lot of stuff hidden in that story.
Then we have to consider the bigger picture of a bunch of volunteer stuffing socks with candies, hoping to bring a little light into someone’s life – if only they knew just how appropriate their gift really was!
A small thing really, for most of us – but a pretty large thing for our sockless, water soaked, leather booted friend.
You have to wonder if all the preparation of the meal, the music, the gift bags (and sock bags), the venue, the volunteers, and so many countless deeds of kindness that went into the whole Christmas dinner in January… was so that one man, who had cold, wet boots, could have warm feet for just a wee while.
And know that Someone cared.
Filed under christmas cheer, Christmas giving, christmas on the streets, Dignity, Drop In Services, Events, General Poverty, gift of christmas, homeless christmas, Homelessness, Justice, justice canada, meaning of christmas, Miracle on the Streets, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect · Tagged with break cycle poverty, christmas gift, christmas poverty, christmas spirit, Dignity, drop in, drop in service, gift of christmas, homelessness ottawa, living on the streets, Make a diference, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Recovery, Respect, street work, Volunteer, Volunteering
Posted by ken on January 5, 2011 · Leave a Comment
A sunny bright first week of January and many greetings of “Happy New Year” were offered from our friends at the drop in. New Years is just so much better than Christmas.
In addition to the beautiful day, some of our folks were only just receiving their cheques from December (some glitch in the matrix of ODSP/OW) on this day, so it was doubly beautiful (maybe more).
Our numbers are down a bit because of the cheque thing (a typical first of the month pattern), but we have given up trying to estimate our effectiveness through the number of people served a meal. Instead we count the number of positive interactions our volunteers have with our street friends – more than ‘the Big three’ of news, weather and sports.
Downstairs, there’s a couple of euchre games on the go, people visiting with each other, relaxed, informal – a nice place to hang out.
Let’s ‘drop in’ on a few of my encounters with our friends:
I met Bill who is 19 years old and his sister Chaucery (or so I thought, until Bill told me it was his mom), and we chatted. Two years ago he ran from a fight only to have a severe stab wound in the skull: “See the mark?” he says as he points to the top of his head. We talked of a few things, but he told me he didn’t want to talk about his father, one time Chaucery’s partner. Then, after about twenty minutes, he brought up the topic of his father, and how he had been so severely mistreated. Usually, among people who have been mistreated as children it is their fathers who have been the primary causes of abuse. He didn’t want to talk about it, but then he did. He had been diagnosed with some condition of mental illness (before the knife wound and somehow associated with his father), he explained, and lives with his mom. Their hydro had been cut off, and it was a good thing I wasn’t part of the blanket-blank agency, or they would have some choice words for me. They were going to make it, the mom said, because hydro was not their heat source, and their landlord had allowed them to have an extension cord running to a power outlet in the hall. “We have lots to be thankful for,” Bill reminded his mom.
On the way to the coffee urn, Wayne came in and asked if he could have a hamper to take home with him (before the appointed time for hampers) because the service technician was coming to his new place to hook up a phone that afternoon. Wayne has undergone a remarkable recovery from alcohol, drugs and the street scene. He has been clean for over a year now, and has every intention of continuing to improve his life. After many, many attempts to obtain housing, he now has a place of his own. I marvel at what he has accomplished against overwhelming odds, as well at his determination to keep on the ‘straight and narrow’.
Jelica, our managing director, put together a few groceries, while Wayne showed us pictures of his two daughters and grandchildren. “Wow”, I said, admiring the photographs and smiling, “You don’t look it, but you truly are a rich man.” He quickly nodded assent and told a condensed version of the powerful reconciliation he recently had with one of his daughters – after being estranged from her for many, many years.
“Thank you so very much for the food,” he said, and put the pictures carefully in the front part of his knapsack, and the groceries in the back. “I’m off to catch the 12:10 bus.”
As he climbed the stairs out of the building, my eyes met Jelicas’, and there was a simultaneous sigh of gratitude and wonder at this example of a transformed life. More than words are needed to grasp the deep significance of what was happening all around us.
It’s all a gift from God, and gifts of God.
These kinds of encounters happen all the time, each one purposefully and intrinsically orchestrated by our Heavenly Father: each one a display of His splendor . Mother Theresa coined it well when she said, “We see Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poor.”
You should find out how you could be a part of this somehow. Happy New Years!
Filed under About OIM, Addictions, Alcoholism, Biblical, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Christmas, Dignity, Drop In Services, General Poverty, Homelessness, Housing, Housing Canada, Housing Ontario, Housing Ottawa, Injustice, injustice Ontario, Justice, justice canada, mental health, Miracle on the Streets, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Social, Street Outreach, Street Youth, Street Youth in Canada, Street Youth Ottawa, Uncategorized, Volunteer Ottawa, Volunteering · Tagged with Addictions, Alcoholism, art therapy, Assets Based Community Development, biblical justice, break cycle poverty, christmas gift, criminal justice system, Dignity, drop in, drop in service, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, Housing in Ontario, Justice, living on the streets, Make a diference, mental health, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach, Street Youth, Volunteer, Volunteering, walk the streets
Posted by ken on December 23, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Merry Christmas! Just a quick note today, on the eve of Christmas eve, to invite you to do a last minute gift purchase - for someone experiencing homelessness – for someone you don’t even know. Click on the banner above for more info.
AND, if you would visit www.chri.ca, you can listen to the podcast of the interview I did with the Mayor of Ottawa, Jim Watson. This is not a political maneuvering or ‘nail him to the post’ interview, but an opportunity to hear our Mayor’s heart regarding the less fortunate in our city: how at an early age, he learned to care, what he is doing now, and some ideas how citizens of Ottawa (and beyond) can become involved.
Take opportunity today and make a donation. We’ll be sure it gets to where it’s needed most!
Filed under ABCD, About OIM, Addictions, Alcoholism, Assets Based Community Development, Biblical, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Christmas, christmas cheer, Christmas giving, christmas on the streets, christmas spirit, Dignity, Drop In Services, Events, General Poverty, gift of christmas, homeless christmas, Homelessness, Housing, Injustice, Justice, justice canada, meaning of christmas, mental health, mental illness, Miracle on the Streets, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Social, Street Outreach, Street Youth, Street Youth in Canada, Street Youth Ottawa, Uncategorized, Volunteer Ottawa, Volunteering · Tagged with ABCD, Addictions, Alcoholism, art therapy, Assets Based Community Development, biblical justice, break cycle poverty, christmas poverty, Dignity, drop in, drop in service, gift of christmas, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, living on the streets, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Respect, social justice, Street Outreach, street work, Street Youth, street youth outreach, Volunteer, Volunteering, walk the streets
Posted by ken on December 3, 2010 · Leave a Comment
For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; And the government will rest on His shoulders, And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9; 6, 7
The Gift of Christmas is all wrapped up in Jesus, is Jesus, and is the meaning of Christmas. His message is the gift that keeps on giving as the gospel unfolds: cradle to cross, Jew to Gentile, one person told another person, who told yet another, they told somebody who in turn told someone else, who that person told someone else and so on to today, and the gift continues to unfold to the world.
You are the gift.
Drop In: I stood at the doorway to the sanctuary and watched: Rudy just finished cutting someone’s hair and asked if he would like prayer; a volunteer doing foot care right in front of me; sounds of Carolyn and Wendal distributing clothing upstairs and beside the stairs a staff spoke quietly with one of our street friends, behind me in the sanctuary, two more foot care volunteers massaged and soothed tired feet and Clara worked her touch care on tired aching backs… and I marveled at the gift unfolding…
Youth Art Show: in the moment I stood back and surveyed the room: young street artists, volunteers, donors, partners, prayer warriors and intercessors all there. Many of the kids didn’t recognize the gift but each knew there was something special happening right in front of them. I sensed the Giver of gifts painting on the canvas of human hearts, and it was a powerful moment. All the work, the people, the prayers, the gifts working through His people… and the gift was unfolding…
Years ago on Street Outreach, Steve and I peered into a loading dock in the Byward Market and made out the figures of two small girls. The one that spoke told us they just arrived from Montreal, that they were both sixteen, and were OK. We shared what we had, noted references to places where they could get help, and in some way, I sensed that Steve and I were the gift, unfolding…
Sparky had taken refuge in the Laundromat near our office and I went in to sit with him for a while. He was pretty intoxicated and did not do too well hiding the bottle of cooking sherry from the Laundromat overseer lady. We had a conversation, and I stayed a bit longer. When I got up to leave, Sparky told me in a very clear, impassioned plea, “No. Please stay with me,” and for a moment I could not tell whether I was the gift or if he was, just unfolding…
Years ago at a downtown drop in, William, who was at times subject to alcoholic seizures, tottered and swayed, pointing his finger in my face and prophesying, “The Lord is blessing you. The Lord is blessing this place and what you do,” and he became the gift, telling me we were the gift. And it keeps on unfolding…
We come alongside one another as the gift unfolds through us, in us and through our street friends- in whom the gift is birthed, delivered and manifested. And we thank God for each one.
You are the gift unfolding, Christ in you, the hope of glory, and I watch it all the time. And I count it as a gift and privilege from the Gift Giver Himself to come alongside you and walk and work with you as we together we watch the gift unfold.
There is a tradition in some churches to speak over the communion elements of bread and the wine, to say, “The gifts of God for the people of God”, and the response comes, “Thanks be to God.”
Here tonight, in and with each other, I present each of you to all of you, and say, “The gifts of God for the people of God,” and we say together, “Thanks be to God.”
Filed under About OIM, Addictions, Alcoholism, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Christmas, christmas on the streets, christmas spirit, Dignity, Drop In Services, Events, General Poverty, gift of christmas, homeless christmas, Homelessness, Justice, meaning of christmas, Miracle on the Streets, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach, Street Youth, Street Youth in Canada, Street Youth Ottawa, Volunteer Ottawa, Volunteering · Tagged with christmas gift, christmas poverty, christmas spirit, Dignity, drop in, gift of christmas, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, Justice, living on the streets, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Recovery, social justice, Street Outreach, street work, Street Youth, street youth outreach, Volunteer, Volunteering, walk the streets
Posted by ken on November 19, 2010 · Leave a Comment
The evening the kids have been preparing for had finally arrived. It was time for the ‘Passion for Youth’ art show at Dominion Chalmers. There was sufficient space for each artist to choose five pieces of their work to show, and it was a challenge for some to decide. Hustle, bustle, the staging of sofas and tables from the art room on the second floor, the preparation of the interactive art table where guests could be creative, coffee, tea and snacks set near the entrance all combined to accelerate the excitement and anticipation.
In the end, all was readied. The stage was set, the players were ready, last minute adjustments to the easels were complete, the live entertainment arrived ( Max and August), and the mood was set.
Guests enjoyed the ambiance, the artists and the art work. Ahh, the art work. For some of our guests, the time had finally come when the art work that was ‘for display only’ at our auction, was finally available for bidding. There were pieces of art work that captured hours and hours of devotion, had become a labour of love, and were now revealed to the public.
But there was something here far greater than what initially captured the senses. There was a clear demonstration of a Master Artist at work with figures of moving clay.
The real demonstration of art was that of the artists themselves.
Initially, many of these youth never had any idea that they could create anything beautiful at all. The images of childhood that are so familiar to us were either non-existent or so overshadowed with such painful memories that it would have been better not to have had them at all. Years of repeated abuse served to reinforce their belief and image they would never amount to anything. They were told as young children that they were losers, worthless and discarded and treated as less than animals. They had eaten from the garbage bins, slept in the bins or wherever they could, experienced cold and discomfort that are beyond description. They were survivors, despite it all.
Tonight was different. People they didn’t even know told them over and over again, that they had created something beautiful. So beautiful in fact that they would like to buy the items and remember the artists. The youth were the ones encouraging the younger guests and showing them how to hold a paint brush, how to mix the colors, how to ‘let themselves go’ and be creative. Photos were taken. The young artists were congratulated for work well done, praised for their choices of color or texture, and one small bit at a time, I believe some changes began to occur.
Maybe the voices of the past were wrong. Maybe I’m not useless, after all, someone likes what I have created. Maybe there is something good about me. Maybe this is not the end. Maybe, just maybe, I can do something good. Maybe there is something good about me.
That was the real exhibition of art. It wasn’t the paint on the canvas, or the music that filled the air: it was living, breathing, young people experiencing hope and a promise for the future. And, maybe, just maybe, that might be enough to change a life.
Filed under ABCD, About OIM, Addictions, Alcoholism, Assets Based Community Development, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, Drop In Services, Events, General Poverty, Homelessness, Justice, justice canada, mental health, Miracle on the Streets, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Social, Street Outreach, Street Youth, Street Youth in Canada, Street Youth Ottawa, Uncategorized, Volunteer Ottawa, Volunteering · Tagged with ABCD, Addictions, art therapy, Assets Based Community Development, biblical justice, break cycle poverty, Dignity, drop in, drop in service, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, injustice Canada, Justice, living on the streets, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Respect, social justice, Street Outreach, street work, Street Youth, street youth outreach, Volunteer, Volunteering, walk the streets
Posted by ken on October 15, 2010 · Leave a Comment
Just after the Thanksgiving holiday. Wednesday drop in. Friend after friend came up to me and spoke with me very candidly about how much they appreciated what we were doing at the drop in.
Billy Bob told me that last week, he was given six eggs! What a blessing for him! He said he budgeted the eggs on a daily basis and they lasted all week. He couldn’t believe that we would give out fresh eggs. While he was speaking I was thinking about his complimenting us when, about two and a half months ago, we were able to include a pound of ground beef with the food hampers. He recounted to me on several occasions since then, on how he had measured the amounts very carefully, and had fresh hamburger for the entire week. THEN, Billy Bob reminded me of the same thing I was thinking – and again, how very much he appreciated this.
Jeremy walked by, stopped, turned around and told me how much he appreciated all we did at the drop in: the friendly volunteers, the hot meal, haircuts… everything was so great. He lowered his voice and quietly said, “This is one of my favourite places.”
Susan came up to me directly and thanked me profusely for having so many fresh vegetables to hand out: tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce and peppers (donated by a local produce store and distributed to our guys the next day). She said this was the only place to come and get some fresh vegetables – which she could not afford on her limited budget.
I went upstairs and sat and talked to Brent while he got his feet washed (we do this regularly: soak, massage, rub with lotion and ‘clean sock’ those guests who enjoy this service) and visited. I noticed the volunteer massage his feet and also the shin and calf, up to the knee. “What’s this new service?” I queried. Brent quickly explained this extra service was such a blessing, since he was diabetic and had poor circulation in his legs. The caregiver smiled and said, “I do this for Brent each time he comes.”
While she was giving this explanation, Peg came up to me, dressed in loose fitting sweat pants and sweater. “LOOK! LOOK at my back. SEE? See? My spine is straight” she exclaimed. I looked as hard as I could, but I really could not see anything. “See?” she asked as she directed my attention to the lower part of her back with her hand, “See? It’s straight! Just after two treatments with Dr. Payne!”
“Oh, so you have been to visit our chiropractor?” I asked. “You are feeling much better, are you?”
“Oh yes! ALL my pain is gone and my back is straight now. Can you see it? It’s straight,” again directing my vision with a sweep of her hand up and down her lower back.
Our friends/guests who come to receive our services are so very thankful and grateful for these seemingly small bits and pieces of service that we are able to provide.
It’s such a small thing for us, but such a great gift to them!
At Thanksgiving and throughout the year, we are thankful TOGETHER for the many gifts we are able to receive and enjoy!
Filed under Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, Homelessness, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Respect, Uncategorized · Tagged with break cycle poverty, Dignity, drop in, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, Justice, living on the streets, Make a diference, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, street work, Volunteer, Volunteering
Posted by ken on September 17, 2010 · Leave a Comment
It sometimes takes years to build enough trust for some of our street friends to talk to us about their lives. Red is thirty-six and we have spoken fairly regularly over the past eight years.
Most of our conversations revolve around things that are of concern to Red. He is preoccupied with the spiritual world and speaks of his battles with demons, and even the devil himself. Wisps of hair from his bangs fall down over one eye, both eyes glisten and he speaks of the devil coming at him with a gun, but he is stronger and uses his own power to beat him up. That would be God’s power in him. His world is complex and difficult. He stays at the local shelter mostly, but has taken to the streets when that doesn’t work out. He suffers from schizophrenia and his endless conversations with the voices that are inside his head lead to sustained self-medication.
This week we had opportunity to talk once again over coffee. There were the usual demonic and satanic battles that he was waging, with strong testimony that he will not be overcome. Then his tone changed.
He told me that one of the staff at the shelter want to talk to his mother who lives in the Maritimes. He refused to allow this because, well, what would she tell her? He said his parents know he is on ‘skid row’ and he doesn’t want to bother them about his own problems. He told me his dad is a retired firefighter and he has a brother four years older than he.
We spoke quietly about his family relationships and about his drug use. He has seen it all on the streets, the back alleys and everywhere in between. The people at the shelter remind him to take his meds, which are working quite well for him at this time. In fact, he hasn’t taken any pills (street drugs) for four days.
Red doesn’t stay in any one place for any lengthy period of time. He was on his fourth coffee, downed it and said it was time to go. On his way out the door I wished him a good weekend, and hoped that when I saw him the next time he would be able to say he hadn’t taken any pills now for seven days! He smiled and agreed.
Seven years. I found out more about Red in the forty minutes we spoke together this day, than I have in seven years. We can build on this. We can talk more, and maybe… well, anything could happen.
Filed under About OIM, Addictions, Alcoholism, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, Drop In Services, Events, General Poverty, Homelessness, Housing, Housing Canada, Housing Ontario, Housing Ottawa, injustice Ontario, Justice, mental health, mental illness, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect, Street Outreach · Tagged with Addictions, break cycle poverty, crystal meth, Dignity, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, living on the streets, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Recovery, Respect, street work, Volunteering, walk the streets
Posted by ken on July 16, 2010 · 2 Comments
Speaking with Brent at the drop in last week, I discoverd he had an aptitude and interest in writing. I asked him to write about our Wednesday drop in and describe from the front lines, what it was like. Without editing, here is his report:
One of the best kept secrets amounge people of limited income, who live in Ottawa, is the Ottawa Innercity Mission’s (OIM’s) Wednesday Drop-in. I have been a semi-regular at these drop-in’s since before they took up residence at their present location. I will try to explain here most of the reasons for my attendance at this particular function..
The drop-in is held every Wednesday year round at their new location on Gladstone Ave. between Bank and Kent streets.in the Salvation Army Church building and easily accessible by several OC Transpo bus routes. It is free and open to everyone who cares to attend. I like to attend because of the relaxed atmosphere which is well organized, clean, well maintained and usually quite quiet and very well run. Although OIM is a Christian based organization, there is no lectures, chapel services or religious readings at these drop-ins. The people who attend maintain an atmosphere which is quite controlled, friendly and easy going. Staff members and volunteers mix freely with the patrons. There are several aspects to the program throughout the day which I will explain here.
The door is open at at 10:00 am and the entire building is utilized. The first 25 people through the door are offered food bank tickets, which I will come to in a moment. On the lower level coffee, tea, milk and juice are available all day. At opening time there is a selection of breads, muffins, cookies and the like (breakfast) available. People gather in groups to talk, play cards or other games, read or just generally socialize. It is a great place to meet old friends or make new ones. At noon a hot meal is served at the tables and there is always enough food that seconds are regularly offered The volunteers serve up the food and everyone is encouraged to eat their fill. After lunch is served the volunteers and staff usually circulate throughout the room offering a selection of sandwiches and some type of desert. Promptly at 1:00pm one of the staff members begins to call numbers for the food bank offerings and groceries are distributed in an orderly fashion. Many people stay on to chat, socialize and play cards until 3:00 in the afternoon.
On the second level there is a barber who, on a first come first served basis, will cut your hair for free. Rudy usually does between 12 and 15 haircuts throughout the day but he does take the summer months off. There is also a foot care clinic there where you can get your feet cleaned and once dried you will receive a new pair of socks. A chiropractic doctor is available afternoon for those who need his services.
The third level of the building has a room which offers a selection of used clothing and footwear. This is quite popular first thing in the morning as that is when selection is best. If you can’t find what you want, come back again next week as there are always new offerings available.
All in all OIM runs a great, fun, safe and much appreciated program. I would encourage everyone of limited means to come out and participate in a great weekly event. It is well worth the price of admission.
Hope this meets your needs. I will get the other article bout the good samaritan written this afternoon or evening. I am making preperations to get away for the weekend so am very busy. Cheers.
Brent
If you would like to read Brent’s article about the good samaritan, let me know by responding to this blog. Cheers!
Filed under ABCD, About OIM, Addictions, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, Drop In Services, Events, General Poverty, Homelessness, Justice, justice canada, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Recovery, Respect · Tagged with Addictions, break cycle poverty, Dignity, drop in, drop in service, help the poor, Homelessness, homelessness canada, homelessness ontario, homelessness ottawa, Justice, poverty Canada, poverty ontario, poverty ottawa, Recovery, social justice, street youth outreach, Volunteering
Posted by ken on July 2, 2010 · 2 Comments
Just a few weeks ago we initiated chiropractic care at our drop in. What an amazing outreach!
Dr. Greg Payne from Ottawa came to us last fall and offered his services to our guests at the drop in. He took our Urban Intervention Training, and just a few weeks ago, he came with his portable adjustment table and a heart to serve the poor. Calm and unassuming, Dr. Payne spends time with each of our street friends who are suffering in their bodies, and makes appropriate chiropractic adjustments.
What a hit! Our street friends have warmly accepted the treatments and the kindness of the good doctor. More than ‘treating patients’, Dr. Payne genuinely cares for each of his new patients.
No hassles. No appointments. No penetrating ‘interview’ about the history of each injury. No fees.
I sat and watched for three or four of the treatments. Dignity, respect, compassion and help are the mainstays of this new development at Ottawa Innercity Ministries. When things slowed down somewhat, I took time to visit with the doctor and noticed the sign up sheet had two columns: ‘New patients’ and ‘Returning Patients’. Interesting that the ‘Returning Patients’ had more names – probably about twenty-eight in all.
Words of appreciation warmly spoken. One man just could not believe that he could feel so much better immediately after his first treatment!
Some of the participants moved right from the chiropractic table over to the Touch Care area and enjoyed a relaxing light back massage.
I marveled at the beauty of it all: people sharing their gifts and talents and abilities with those in need. At the other side of the room, two volunteers were doing foot care and Rudy was faithfully cutting hair at the entrance to the room.
We have been given so much. When I see how others ‘Pay it Forward’, it strikes a chord deep in my own heart. It just seems so just, so right, so good to pool our resources and do what we can to change our own, and others’ worlds.
How do you think you could do your part, with your own gifts and talents? Call me. We can talk.
Filed under ABCD, Assets Based Community Development, Biblical, Breaking the cycle of poverty, Dignity, Drop In Services, General Poverty, Homelessness, Justice, justice canada, Personal Experiences, Poverty, Poverty in Canada, Respect, Social, Uncategorized, Volunteer Ottawa, Volunteering · Tagged with biblical justice, Dignity, Homelessness, poverty Canada, Recovery, social justice, Street Youth, Volunteer, Volunteering
