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I was reminded of this recently when a former client called us from Toronto. She and her husband had been struggling with serious...

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...

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,...

Beth comes every Wednesday all the way from the outskirts of Ottawa to the downtown core, where she has been volunteering at the Office...

Together we got to see what it’s really like to navigate our social services system: feeling his pain, experiencing his disappointment,...

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...

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...

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...

That’s because this was his third time around. Having taken the next steps to go through an alcohol treatment program and transition into...

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...

Back to “Bob.” Bob is a wonderful guy. He’s articulate, engaging in conversation. He presents that air of an intellectual, but not stuffy...

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...

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...

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...

“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...

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...

This story comes from a street-friend who was reflecting on a situation that impacted his life greatly. This story was shared during one...

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...

The Ottawa Police have had a heavy presence this summer. I see them patrolling the streets, walking down Bank or Elgin in pairs, or...

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...