How Being Present Helps

At Ottawa Innercity Ministries (OIM), we’ve seen firsthand how simply being present and listening without judgment can be a turning point for someone experiencing homelessness, trauma, or isolation. It’s not about having the right answers. It’s about creating space for someone to be heard.

One of the biggest issues of our society is loneliness, and for our friends experiencing poverty and homelessness, it is multiplied. They are on the streets of a city of 1 million-plus people, yet they are invisible and have nowhere to go to avoid being seen. 

When our volunteers come alongside someone on the street and they share their story, they’re offering a piece of themselves. For many who live on the margins, their stories are rarely invited, often ignored, and sometimes dismissed, yet their stories are often all they have to give. When we listen with compassion, we affirm them. We are saying, “You matter.” It is often the first step toward someone accepting help, seeking healing, or rediscovering hope.

This kind of listening requires empathy. It means putting aside our assumptions, silencing our inner commentary, and being fully present. It’s in these moments that healing begins, not because we fix anything, but because we witness someone’s story.

I have seen people walking down the street having animated arguments with the world, then someone says “Hi,” and they are immediately transported back to Ottawa.

At OIM, we use our presence and our listening skills (as well as providing some physical sustenance) to deliver our Mission: “To come alongside and support individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness, by demonstrating the message of Christ in action and word, showing compassion, and promoting self-esteem.”

Everyone’s next step is different, and we should not judge anyone based on how big or small it may seem to us. The fact that someone now knows they are not invisible and are valued might be the nudge they need to take the first step back to a more fulfilling and safe life.

OIM offers the Ottawa Christian Community avenues of ministry to help those in need in Ottawa. The more teams we can send out, the more opportunities we have to make a positive impact on people’s lives. We would love to help you make an impact in Ottawa!  Give us a call at 613 237 6031 to discuss.

~Brian, OIM's Business Manager