Aug 9, 2019A Tough NightIt was a particularly rough start to the night at Innercity Arts. One of the youth had arrived in distress, suffering from a mental...
Jun 24, 2019A Glimpse into Mental IllnessDamon was downtown one afternoon, when he began to sense the ever too familiar feelings of anxiety and depression taking over: quickening...
Nov 16, 2018Showing Love Through FoodEach month, Terri drops off a home cooked meal for the youth of Innercity Arts. She always puts such love and care into her meals, making...
Nov 2, 2017Searching for Affordable HousingYou would think that in a city like Ottawa, when a vulnerable citizen faces a crisis and loses their housing, there would be a system in...
Oct 13, 2017The Bob Series: Marginalized survivorsNote: To protect the identity of the people I write about, I have chosen to use the name ‘Bob’ in the following piece… All of the people...
Sep 22, 2017She is Not UnknownYou see her every day on your way to work. Usually she is sitting at Tim Horton’s or resting on a bench. She is hard to miss – a small...
Aug 31, 2017A Humbling ExperienceJohn’s colourful dress reflected his mood and his outlook. I had once told him he reminded me of a peacock because he always had feathers...
Aug 24, 2017It’s the small things in life that matterBut it is the mundane, the everyday events, that can have the biggest impact. My role at the drop-in is that of a greeter. Some say it is...
Aug 10, 2017Just a couple of Canadians (eh?), talking on the bus.It happened as I got on the bus & looked around for an empty spot. “There she is!” I heard someone say. It was Ted. He was sitting alone....
Jun 2, 2017Loss, Hope and Joy“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,” Psalm 30: 11...
Feb 17, 2017What if it was you?Valentines Day Week – just passed. Kudos to all of our volunteer outreach workers in all capacities: street outreach, drop in, office...
Dec 24, 2016Episode 8: Danielle’s Christmas WishHi I’m Danielle. My wish is that everyone has someone to be with this Christmas, and if not, that they feel God is with them, that His...
Dec 19, 2016Danielle’s Story: Episode 7 – What’s happening now“Danielle’s Story” is a series running throughout December. To listen to the audio backgrounder from Family Radio CHRI, click the play...
Nov 30, 2016Danielle’s Story: Episode 2 – The Beginnings of Abuse“Danielle’s Story” is a series running throughout December. To listen to the audio backgrounder from Family Radio CHRI, click the play...
Nov 11, 2016He fought like a soldierEvery Tuesday for the last several years, you could always count on Marcel to greet you at the drop-in. Walking in first thing in the...
Feb 5, 2016The state of metal health services for homeless youthHere, let the National Learning Community on Youth Homelessness say it best: “Youth homelessness has existed in Canada for decades;...
Jan 8, 2016A Blessing on the StreetThat’s when Jocelyne approached. (Jocelyne is an older woman who struggles with schizophrenia. She has lived on the streets for several...
Dec 21, 2015Eric’s Journey, Episode 6: Eric`s New Life“Eric’s Journey” is a 7 part series running throughout December. To listen to the audio backgrounder from Family Radio CHRI, click the...
Dec 16, 2015Eric’s Journey, Episode 5: Hope Restored!“Eric’s Journey” is a 7 part series running throughout December. To listen to the audio backgrounder from Family Radio CHRI, click the...
Jul 10, 2015HaileyLast year, this video was put out by a shelter in New York City. You’ve probably seen it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6jSKLtmYdM In...