top of page
BLOG
Hear what we have to say
Search
Jan 4, 2013
Cold Toes, Warm Hearts!
It was -27 degrees last night! Sweet merciful crud that’s cold! But the Wednesday night Outreach crew, appropriately bundled up, had a...
Jan 2, 2013
Happy New Year
What a cold start to January! As the temperature drops I am very thankful for my warm coat, gloves and most of all, a warm place to go...
Dec 31, 2012
The Red Mitts
Recently I had the privilege of participating in a One Homeless Night activity with OIM staff (go Moira!) and a group of teens from The...
Dec 17, 2012
Sasha’s Story: Episode Six, Outreach
Sasha’s Story is an 8 part series running until December 24. To listen to the audio backgrounder from CHRI radio, click Episode #6...
Dec 12, 2012
Sasha’s Story: Episode Five, The Birth of Hope
Sasha’s Story is an 8 part series running until December 24. To listen to the audio backgrounder from CHRI radio, click Episode #5...
Dec 5, 2012
Sasha’s Story: Episode Three, Life on the Streets
Sasha’s Story is an 8 part series running until December 24. To listen to the audio backgrounder from CHRI radio, click Episode #3 Hard...
Dec 3, 2012
Sasha’s Story: Episode Two, Hard Beginnings
We lived in a rough neighbourhood called the ‘Courts’ in Saint John. That’s where the refugees are. We played baseball with sticks and...
Nov 26, 2012
Sasha’s Story: Episode One, First Meeting
I was working the streets in Ottawa, prostituting. I had dates all night, from early evening until late, late – and no place to sleep. ...
Oct 26, 2012
Freedom…
This past May, Mark, a long-time member of the art group, was in a terrible accident. He was struck by a car which caused severe head...
Oct 24, 2012
Thanksgiving Dinner at OIM!
As I looked around the room as lunch was in full-swing yesterday, I couldn’t help but feel very blessed to be surrounded by great 39...
Oct 16, 2012
Lord examine my motives…
I recently had to take a six month break (at least, I hope it’ll only be six months) from street outreach because of health problems. It...
Aug 17, 2012
A Change of Focus
When asked about the Passion 4 Youth Arts Program, I generally find myself bragging about the youth I work with, and going on and on...
May 23, 2012
Kudos!
So last week the Wednesday night group got SOAKED (during that big rainstorm) on our evening walk-around. I mean drenched. I’ve seriously...
May 16, 2012
A clip and a prayer
Leo is one of the ’rounders’ at OIM (‘been around a long time) and comes weekly to catch up and connect with our people. Life was very...
Apr 26, 2012
It’s not about the food…
OIM hosted our annual Easter Dinner this week. Over 40 volunteers served 150 dinners to our street community. As I stood back and...
Apr 16, 2012
It’s not really about the jacket
One of the most amazing privileges of working with people is the opportunities we have to build relationships. Over the past years there...
Apr 12, 2012
The Mundane Is Extraordinary..
“Do you have room for one more?” It was the end of the day at our drop-in and I was getting ready to clean up the foot care station. I...
Apr 3, 2012
God knows what we need..
I can’t help but feel a profound sense of sadness and tragedy some nights during outreach. But, once in a while you stumble upon an...
Mar 23, 2012
The bright shining key
Well, it wasn’t exactly bright and shining. It was more like a dull and well-worn silver key, but the glow that came off the face of our...
Mar 21, 2012
Love and Respect
Some of the most down to earth and insightful exchanges I have are during outreach with OIM. Week after week I stop with my fellow OIM...
bottom of page