BLOG

Hear what we have to say

Jul 18, 2019

I Met Jesus This Morning

I make a quick stop at a local fast food restaurant for some food and meet a homeless gentleman at the door. He is panhandling, which is strange for this location. He quietly opens the door for everyone, never saying a word, never making eye contact, just holding out his cup, expectantly hoping. His clothes look clean but they are in rough shape. Everyone rushes in trying to avoid him, but I can’t. I ask him if he is hungry and he looks me in the eye and says, ‘yes.’ Inside,

Jun 27, 2019

Pancakes and Paintbrushes

Brushing the experiences of the previous night off their faces, putting on possibly the only set of clothing they own; making their way to a place of love and acceptance for who they are. The Innercity Freedom Group – a recovery group for whatever hurt or habit someone is overcoming in life – meets on Monday mornings. It’s a safe community where everyone is welcome. It’s a group designed to provide support through whatever the struggle is, and since we all have challenges in

May 24, 2019

The Four Stages

However, to get to that point in its life there’s a journey and a fight requiring strength and determination. There are 4 stages in the life cycle of a monarch that it must pass through to reach maturity; egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), adult. Each stage must be completed before it can go onto the next. We walk around and see caterpillars but forget the stage before that they had to persevere through to become who they are. It’s not often in everyday life that we

Feb 28, 2019

Behold, Real Art

We can all look at the same piece of art, read the same book, see the same movie and feel and take away something completely different; that’s the beauty of life being unique and imperfectly perfect. If beauty is in the eye of the beholder then art speaks to the heart through the eyes of those who choose to feel the emotions behind the paint and clay. Art is a form of therapy, an emotional outlet, a best friend to talk to. Art can be raw and tell a story of past hurts or hidd

Jan 25, 2019

Come As You Are

It’s a safe place where you are accepted exactly as you are. There is no judgment; just unconditional community, support and love. Welcome to Innercity Arts! It’s an amazing place where our city’s street-engaged youth can sign up to be a part of a community where all different forms of art are used. It’s a way of coming together to offer a few hours of creative expression in a safe environment surrounded by food, friendship, and mentoring with individuals who accept our youth

Dec 28, 2018

Larissa’s Journey: One Final Thank You!

Larissa’s Journey is a blog series featuring one of the young people in the Innercity Arts program that began on November 26, 2018. We hope it offered insight and understanding into the lives of one of the young people in the program. Today’s blog post is a Special Message that comes directly from Larissa’s on-air presentation on Family Radio CHRI, 99.1 FM (airing 8 am and 5 pm). Thanks for listening! Hi, my name is Larissa. When I think of OIM, I think of faith, unconditiona

Dec 12, 2018

Larissa’s Journey: I Met OIM – Choir & Innercity Arts

Larissa’s Journey is a blog series that we hope will offer insight and understanding into the lives of one of the young people in the Innercity Arts program. We hope to raise awareness, challenge misconceptions, and honestly reflect the lives of those who call the streets their home. This blog is the more detailed account of Larissa’s on air presentations on Family Radio CHRI, 99.1 FM, each weekday at 8 am and 5 pm. Thanks for listening. How I first met OIM? Well, there was t

Sep 17, 2018

Community BBQ

Our Administrative Assistant, Gaby, is normally busy working at the office. But recently, she had the opportunity to visit our drop-in on BBQ Day! It was a fun day with plenty of hamburgers, hot dogs, sides, dessert and beverages to go around. Everyone was so appreciative of the community donations that came in so that we could organize this special event for our street community. Gaby was happy to be there, helping serve, visiting with people, and seeing some of our street

Jun 14, 2018

Even The ‘Unlovable’

I’m not talking about the stories of trauma, tragedy or loss which I have – sadly – come to expect. No, I’m talking about something a little more delicate. It’s the experience of not having everyone you help respond in quite the way you’d expect. On the one side are those individuals who are just so easy to serve. Humble, courteous and kind, they are a joy to be around and I am grateful to know them. Just a few weeks ago, after praying with one young lady, she blessed me b

May 24, 2018

Nurturing God’s Creation

Our love of nurturing nature in this simple way brings great joy. While most of us understand the need to nurture God’s creation, helping people living on the margins may not always come so naturally. Judgement, criticism and stereotypes sometimes precludes caring for people in need. Street outreach organizations like Ottawa Innercity Ministries, however, look beyond ‘first impressions,’ scratching below the surface to the person underneath. They do so by sustaining life on t

Apr 29, 2018

Every Life Has A Story

One of these uniquely complex stories involve a gentleman by the name of ‘Jim.’ I have been blessed with the opportunity to help him as he tries to navigate the social system. Difficulties with speech and social skills have opened the door for us at OIM to advocate on his behalf and I see that he is so very pleased that we take the time to listen as he shares his thoughts and ideas. One day while in conversation he started sharing about life in jail. I was really caught off g

Apr 27, 2018

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 housing and health issues and decided to move to Toronto to be closer to family. While still in Ottawa, they turned to us for basic needs: food, gift cards, personal care. Quite honestly, at times we felt inadequate to address the seriousness of their problems. What could our support do to address the bigger complexities of their needs? Apparentl

Apr 25, 2018

Catching A Glimpse

Several months later I am sitting in a coffee shop and who comes over out of the blue, but my new street friend. He tells me how his life has changed and thanks us for being there for him. He then proceeds to pray, declaring a blessing and favour, as powerful as any prophetic word received. I just want to honour God for dropping such a wonderful blessing that allowed me to catch just a glimpse of the increase he has brought to someone’s life and to know the small part I playe

Apr 24, 2018

All that we have

I have been asked if we had the following items from different people who have come to our door at different times. Things like: pens, garbage bags, aluminum foil, forks, folders, light bulbs, notepads, calendars, paper clips, boxes, triple A batteries…Things that I take for granted and would never think are needed on the streets. But, for some, they are needed. And when someone asks and we have the item, the look on their face is priceless. It’s as if they’ve struck gold!

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 a blessing that he seeks me out for conversation. I know that Bob lives in difficult circumstances as he carries his entire life on his back with the occasional reprieve when he can find a safe location to hide away his belongings. We have some very interesting conversations as Bob’s outlook on life is quite unique. Bob, though, never gets a

Apr 14, 2018

Made of Good Quality by a Caring Craftsman

Yet he was not cared for in the same way as he was made, left with many stains of abandonment and abuse. Over time, alcohol, depression and the lasting hurts of childhood, took their toll, eventually causing him to lose his ability to work, drive, and even eat due to failing health. I first came to know Clarence when he began visiting our OIM drop-in. We developed a good friendship and I have been working with him through some of these challenges. I have also had the privi

Apr 13, 2018

A “New” Pair of Shoes

The whole night went by and we handed out the usual: sandwiches, socks, juice boxes. Finally, as we were ending our shift, one of the last persons we saw that night (if not THE last) asked if we had a pair of shoes. I said: “Yes! Here you go,” showing him the famous shoes. To my surprise, not only did he recognise the brand right away, but he was so happy that he couldn’t stop jumping with joy and thanking us, again and again. Even though these “new-ish” shoes were a bit di

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, cleaning and massaging feet. I was tired. My hands ached. “Of course I have room,” I replied. His eyes sparkled with gratitude. I proceeded to fill the foot basin with water, Epsom salts, and soap. He carefully removed his worn shoes and dirty socks, ashamed as he revealed his soiled feet. I pretended not to notice. Then he soaked his feet and w

Apr 7, 2018

Taking Time To Notice

And yet, they are all there with the same message: “I want your attention.” The reward in the discovery of a “blur” is like a box waiting to be opened. Jake was one such potential “blur” when I stopped for a moment just to say hello and ask how the day was going. Jake wasn’t very responsive and not much in the mood for conversation. Some boxes are harder to open than others; glued, taped and wrapped in string make them difficult to see what’s inside. I had ongoing opportuniti

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 “Stop In” for 7 years. Our guests from the streets can always expect her to be here each week where she greets them with a ready smile, a cup of coffee, and a chat. It’s encouraging to meet people who find the time to share a part of their busy lives with our guests with the only objective being to give love and support to the most needed her

BLOG

Hear what we have to say

CONTACT US