1987 – 1998

In August 1987, Suk Woon Lee, a former penitentiary inmate and member of the Korean Nazarene congregation, founded Siloam Mission and worked with board members and volunteers to establish an inner city ministry that offered meals and counseling services. In 1990, as demand for services grew, Siloam purchased the building at 707 Main Street.

1999 – 2004

Siloam was forced to close its doors when the City of Winnipeg expropriated the soup kitchen’s Main Street property before the 1999 Pan Am Games to make way for Neeginan Park. Siloam reopened as a drop-in centre at 564 ½ Main Street in April 2000. By December, the Mission had run out of funds for paid staff, but dedicated volunteers kept the doors open five days a week to offer hot meals, coffee, and clothing.

2005 – 2006

In 2005, Siloam moved from Main Street into the newly renovated four-storey facility at 300 Princess Street, continuing the meal and clothing program. In 2006 Siloam started its employment training programs to help people re-enter the workforce.

2007 – 2010

Hannah’s Place Emergency Shelter on Siloam’s second floor opened its doors to 110 homeless men and women, providing a safe place for the night. The on-site Saul Sair Health Centre opened and the Longtin Resource Centre was dedicated to provide art therapy and computer training.

2011

Siloam purchased The Madison with the help of all three levels of government and began renovating it into supportive housing. Transition Services launches to help guests move forward in their lives through goal setting, weekly meetings, supports and accountability.

2012 – 2014

Siloam begins offering its Spiritual Care program, connecting guests to faith congregations where they feel comfortable, hosting worship services and organizing memorial services for guests who have lost loved ones. The Exit Up! program launches to provide housing, training and life-skills development for Indigenous youth aged 18-25 who are leaving care.

2017 – Looking Forward

Siloam opens a new dining room behind its current building, the first step of a major expansion that makes room for 400 community members. The second phase will create more than 50 additional shelter beds with a separate shelter area for up to 33 women, an expanded health centre, a new mental health area and a centre for transition and employment services.