Small Gestures
I was reminded of this recently when a former client called us from Toronto. She and her husband had been struggling with serious...
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- Apr 18, 2018
Building Relationships On The Street
One of those individuals who I have met while on street outreach is “Bob.” Bob has been living on the streets for many years. I count it...
- Apr 8, 2018
God of the Ordinary
It was the end of the day at our drop-in and I was getting ready to clean up the Foot Care Station. I had been there for four hours,...
- Apr 5, 2018
What does volunteering at OIM look like?
Beth comes every Wednesday all the way from the outskirts of Ottawa to the downtown core, where she has been volunteering at the Office...
- Jan 1, 2018
A Homeless Vet’s Journey: THANK YOU!
Together we got to see what it’s really like to navigate our social services system: feeling his pain, experiencing his disappointment,...
- Dec 27, 2017
A Homeless Vet’s Journey: Hear Kurk In His Own Words, Part 2
No support to help you through… unless someone steps up! OIM staff and volunteers step up on a regular basis to help and support people...
- Dec 25, 2017
A Homeless Vet’s Journey: Hear Kurk In His Own Words, Part 1
Our Christmas Story this year took us on a journey with Kurk, a homeless Vet, who lost everything. We walked alongside him as he tried to...
- Oct 13, 2017
The Bob Series: Marginalized survivors
Note: 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 21, 2017
A Place of Third Chances
That’s because this was his third time around. Having taken the next steps to go through an alcohol treatment program and transition into...
- Aug 24, 2017
It’s the small things in life that matter
But 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 17, 2017
THE ‘BOB’ SERIES: A Mighty Man Hidden
Back to “Bob.” Bob is a wonderful guy. He’s articulate, engaging in conversation. He presents that air of an intellectual, but not stuffy...
- Jul 20, 2017
THE ‘BOB’ SERIES: For Those Who Matter
Back to “Bob”: this is a man who has seen every province in our great country. This is a man who has been through many traumas, who will...
- Dec 22, 2014
Shane’s Story, Episode 7: Back to School
Shane’s Story is an eight episode blog post where Shane tells her story in her own words. Each week in December, on Mondays and...
- Feb 17, 2014
One Thing in Common
Cal’s story (‘Behind the Story’ see history on right) is common in that he is one of many on the streets who has suffered violence and...
- Nov 4, 2013
A Table to Share
“Give thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” –Ephesians 5:20 Thanksgiving Dinners are a...
- Oct 17, 2013
The ol’ Watering Hole: A Survey
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17) Ever wonder why some watering holes have more traffic...
- Aug 19, 2013
Stories from the Street:
This story comes from a street-friend who was reflecting on a situation that impacted his life greatly. This story was shared during one...
- Aug 15, 2013
heARTfelt Thursdays: remembering Kaylin
On December 21, 2012, Kaylin, a long time member of the art group, passed away suddenly. The art group was devastated to lose a member of...
- Aug 12, 2013
A System Built for Some
The Ottawa Police have had a heavy presence this summer. I see them patrolling the streets, walking down Bank or Elgin in pairs, or...
- Jun 24, 2011
Just ‘doing their job’? You decide…
A few weeks ago, one of our street youth was found drowned in the Ottawa River. I can tell you he came from a broken home, with all the...