THE PROBLEM

Siloam Mission serves 400 to 600 meals, three times per day to people in need. The rise to 515,140 meals last year reflects a 24% increase from 2011 to 2017, with 2018 expected to see an increase as well. Approximately 350 people were left waiting outside at every meal. The line-ups didn’t stop, even when the mercury dropped to -30 C or rose to +30 C.

OUR PLAN

To increase dining capacity, from 150 seats to 400+. In October 2017, the first phase of our capital campaign was completed and we Made Room at the Table. Now, over 400 people can be in the dining room at one time. With the new expanded kitchen and dining room, no one has to wait outside for a meal to meet the ever-increasing demand. The expansion also allowed for increased cooler and freezer space.

THE PROBLEM

With only 110 beds available in Hannah’s Place Emergency Shelter, we find ourselves redirecting 20–40 people every night to other resources. Currently, the women share the shelter with the men.

OUR PLAN

To add 50 more shelter beds, raising the capacity from 110 to 160, so no one is turned away. The expanded shelter will include a private area for women where they can feel safe.

THE PROBLEM

Living on the streets makes it difficult to maintain personal hygiene and health, keep track of the few possessions one may have, and to consider pursuing education and employment. Last year, 3,645 visits were made to over 132 volunteer medical professionals in our Saul Sair Health Centre.

OUR PLAN

We will add showers, laundry facilities and expand the clothing room to accommodate more visitors in the Donation and Hygiene Centre; expand the Saul Sair Health Centre to include recovery beds for short-term rest and observation; add a Mental Health Area to provide services to people in need; add barber facilities for personal hygiene and employment readiness.

THE PROBLEM

Our service delivery model is based on relationship-building by bringing staff, volunteers, donors, and those experiencing homelessness together in one community. Now, with space at a premium for the most basic service, providing meals, we find we have to move people out to allow more in – reducing the opportunities for building trust.

OUR PLAN

With the recent expansion of our dining room/ drop-in, we now have the space to accommodate more transition programs, services, case managers, and volunteers, as well as a designated space to host more practicum students who are able to use their education in service of our visitors and clients.

THE PROBLEM (And it’s a great one to have!)

We are grateful for the support of 8,054 volunteers, who gave 86,869 hours of volunteer service to Siloam Mission last year but volunteer space is limited.

OUR PLAN

To create a larger reception area, volunteer lockers, check-in area and program rooms to accommodate our many volunteers, including youth and family groups and school tours. This will enable more volunteers to offer their services and connect with our community every day.