My First Day

April 24, 2012 in Uncategorized | 2 comments

Walking into Helping Hands Street Mission for the first time on Friday, April 13 was an eye-opening experience for me. I was immediately struck by how busy the little store was with people shopping for clothes, enjoying a coffee or sitting and chatting in the group of chairs by the front window.

Meeting Helen Norris, the executive director and founder of the centre, it was not long before I was put to work moving clothes, assisting people as they dropped off donations and getting involved in what turned out to be my favorite activity; having multiple conversations with the many people who frequent the mission looking for a cup of coffee, something to eat and someone to talk to.

An interesting story from that day:

A man came in to make a donation. I had him meet me at the back door and unloaded his items which included several boxes of assorted clothes and 2 pairs of new work shoes. Taking them into the sorting room, I commented to Brenda, one of the other volunteers working there that the work shoes were very nice and wondered how long they would last. Brenda commented that I shouldn’t be surprised if someone comes in within a few days for them. Amazingly, within half an hour, a young man arrived announcing that he had been offered a construction job but it was conditional on him getting safety shoes, something he could not afford to do. Not only were we able to provide him some, but they were his exact size.

When I expressed to Helen how blown away I was with what had happened, she smiled at me and told me to get used to it, as these kinds of incidents occurred daily here. She proceeded to tell me a few other recent and very similar stories.

I was starting to understand what a special and unique place this was. Spending a few hours at the café in the evening, my appreciation grew further as I had the privilege to interact with more of the regular visitors there and further understand the sense of community and just how meaningful this place is for those that visit.

I returned to the HHSM with my son the following morning to deliver some cookies and to fix a broken shelf in the basement that I had noticed the day before. Amazingly, I was greeted by name by a number of regulars after just meeting them the day before, and I was again struck by what a truly special place the Helping Hands Street Mission is. I am so looking forward to volunteering further and feel truly blessed for the opportunity.

- Written by Cam, Volunteer at HHSM

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God Thing at the Barton Cafe

April 14, 2012 in People | No comments

One of my favourite regulars came into Barton Cafe last night VERY angry and down on himself…he said he wasn’t worth anything…he was useless…and he was going to get rid of his guitar…which he had with him…he even raised his voice to me but not in an agressive manner…it was more about his self loathing than towards me…and I felt so bad for him and I knew there was very little I could do…so I made him some tea and chatted a little with him…he went outside and was on the phone for a bit and he seemed to settle down a little…but his body language was very agitated…and a couple of the other regulars tried to calm him down (Keith and our new volunteer Cam tried as well) with little success.

Then the most wonderful thing happened…Elaine and her husband, Rick came in…I just about jumped her…I was never so happy to see anybody walk into the Cafe…You see, I introduced “him” to Elaine at church on Palm Sunday and she gave him a brief guitar lesson (he never leaves home without it)…furthermore, she used to volunteer at the Cafe when it first opened and she brought her guitar and played and sang…she made it known that she would love to teach or jam with anyone that might be interested.

When she arrived last night “he” was in the bathroom and I told her briefly what was going on so her hubby went to the car and got her guitar. When “he” saw her he was a little hesitant, but she took him in the back room and they played together for an hour…she was so soft spoken and he was so inspired to just sit, listen and play.

When we were getting ready to close…”He” was a changed man…his whole persona was calm and peaceful; his face relaxed and he smiled easily. He said he realized how much passion he had to play and that Elaine had inspired him…and he said he will not get rid of his guitar…but rather use it when he’s feeling down and out…I told him I thought Elaine was a “God thing”…I had no idea she was coming…but God did…and she came for “him”…I reminded him that God knows how worthy he is…He was full of smiles when he left…and I hugged Elaine and whispered to her…that this was a God thing that she showed up at the right time…

I still have goose bumps Helen…and I am so pumped…I needed this today as well…a reminder of how much God loves ALL of us…and how much we are worth in HIS eyes…

- Written by Jeanette, Volunteer at HHSM

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Reflections From the Gala

April 6, 2012 in People | No comments

Wow we are just a few days after the fundraiser and I am overjoyed by how well everything went. Although there were many bumps in the road, most no one but a few knew about them. The Olympia did a fabulous job at decorating the room to look beautiful, not to mention create the delicious meal we were served. There was over 400 people in attendance, lots of prizes and fancy outfits. I often feel awkward in a room like that with lots of important people some with lots of money to spare and connections to what the world thinks are important. I am grateful for all of them, as they support God’s work in our place, but sometimes get overcome with worry on Gala night about which sponsors we need to make sure we talk to and see if they are enjoying themselves. I sometimes let the abundance of the evening overshadow – for just a few moments – what I am most overwhelmed by in my life at the mission, and that is the generosity of our friends who call the mission their family.

Everyone wants to know how much money we raised, and it’s important that we do because we need the funds to support the great work there. But as I have been reflecting this year on the evening I am struck by two things that happened that only some people were aware of, but that show the true sense of generosity and the spirit of sacrificial giving. Cia who owns the local pizza shop with her husband, were able to come to the Gala because of a generous table sponsor. Cia and her husband have 3 children, and although the pizza shop is “successful”, they make enough money to provide for their family but are by no means going on vacation anytime. Emerald pizza donates pizza to our men’s group, and also to open houses we have, but not only that I have seen Cia many times giving pizza to people who are hungry and cannot afford to pay. She was so excited to get dressed up for Gala, and while they were there someone stole her wallet with $200 inside (money they had saved up to but something to help support HHSM) along with her drivers license and health card. I was devastated to say the least that someone that night would do such a thing. All she wanted back was her ID. Before they left that night a gentleman that I met a year ago heard about the wallet and asked me how much money was missing – I told him and he handed me $220 to give to her and only asked if she found the wallet and the money was inside to donate the money to HHSM. He didn’t know who she was but gave because he understood the spirit of the evening. Cia’s wallet wad returned to the police station with her ID inside but no money. All she said was “you know what Helen the people who took it probably were desperate and needed it more and God knew that so took care of it”. Cia understand the spirit of God and generosity. If you ask her about the wallet she holds no anger towards who did it, just grateful for her ID to be returned. God always makes things right even when they can look very wrong. She got her $200 back with an bonus $20 that I believe is a blessing from God for all she does for everyone. I also know that since the Gala she has given out more than $20 in free pizza.

 The next day we sat at the Lycklama’s table and opened all the envelopes from Gala night. We are truly blessed by many and I think the total was over $5,000 in donations. There were some big bills and large cheques but my favourite was from our friend Paula who cam to the Gala because she was excited to see the baby blanket she helped knit go up for auction. She was so proud of all the work she did for it! Paula lives down the street from HHSM in an apartment in the back of a storefront, she certainly doesn’t have a lot of money to spare. The outside of the envelope had her name on it in large letters and inside was a $5 bill. She made a prize for the auction table, saved up and bought a ticket for the Gala and then left money in an “ask card” at the end of the evening. I am overcome by her example to me. I think of the times I am asked to give for something “extra”  in church and think I don’t have to  because I tithe on a regular basis. Paula gave her ALL on Gala night. Her “sponsorship” wasn’t on any of our levels that would gain her a place on the PowerPoint or in the brochure but she did it because she understood the spirit of the evening.

I love when God uses those we least expect to make changes for his kingdom. Thank-you to everyone who helped make Gala night a great success! All volunteers and sponsors too! We hope to see you again next year.

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Pizza Slices and Blessings

March 9, 2012 in Uncategorized | No comments

We were sitting in Emerald Pizza on the corner beside the mission one day as our somewhat regular routine. Okay it was Hawaiian Friday the day we meet Xia the owner, Officer Neil and this time I brought Marion with me too to eat delicious Hawaiian pizza slices. While we were sitting at our “usual” table to discuss the neighbourhood adventures of the week, a quiet woman sitting next to us whom I didn’t recognize asked me if we were the people from Helping Hands. I said “yes. we are open in about a half an hour if you want to stop by.”

She smiled and said “Well if I can come I would like to pick up some children’s clothing for my friend who just moved from my home country of Thailand. Would that be okay?”  I assured her that that was absolutely okay but also assured her that she would be able to pick up things for herself while she was there. She said to me “I already knew when you would be open. You don’t recognize me but I was coming in also to thank-you. I came to you 2 years ago when a local church told me about a place where I could get free clothes since I was new to Canada. I came in for white shoes and uniform pants so that I could attend the school for PSW and you gave me exactly what I needed. I have been working now for over a year and wanted to say thank-you for helping me be able to go to school when I did not have enough money to buy the proper clothing I needed. You don’t have to remember me you are busy but I thank-you so much and now I tell others about your place.”

I thanked her for telling me her story because so often we are so busy to see who is coming in and out of HHSM in a day we don’t always know why people are there. She was a blessing to all of us at the pizza shop that day because as a community at HHSM we are all excited to hear about God sending people to us in order for all of us to receive His blessings.

Thank-you to all of you who respond when we are in need of specific items to HHSM. This is just one of many stories of how your generosity effects the lives of so many you may never meet.

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Sandy

January 27, 2012 in People | No comments

A big part of what we try to explain to people who have never experienced the mission is that the greatest gift you get from being there is learning more about who you are through the lessons our friends who call the mission home teach us.

Sandy is just one of them. She is one of my greatest teachers of compassion and seeing through the lens that God wants us to – our hearts. She is not a teacher or pastor, but she really could write a great sermon if given the chance. She is a daughter, mother, sister, friend, crack addict and sex worker. I love her, but some days it’s hard. She will look out for the most vulnerable in the neighbourhood, children, elderly, street girls, anyone with disabilities and animals. Her addiction can also make her into someone who doesn’t care who gets in her way of the next high, no matter who it is. I love her but some days it’s hard.

Her visits to HHSM are for one of two reasons: getting clothes for some of those previously mentioned, or way too many for herself. She is full of wisdom about how we should care for one another, and full of venom for the way the world has treated her. She gives no excuse for her behaviour “calling it like it is” and is constantly reminded by volunteers that she is Gods child a princess in His kingdom. A title she has a hard time accepting although I have heard her repeat that to a young girl in the neighbourhood. You see Sandy understands the truth about God and what He wants for her life, but she sees this as something for others whose sins perhaps aren’t as big as hers. She’s a lot like many of us who say we understand the truth and tell others, but have a hard time living it out for ourselves. Sandy helps me to see that I can give my brokenness to God and he will set me free from all of my sins and addictions to live in his truth. The more I know my friend Sandy, the more I learn about myself, and the hidden brokenness that no one else can see. She teaches me to love myself by showing me what it looks like to others when I don’t.

God loves me but I know some days that must be harder than others.

Come down to HHSM and sit for a coffee, see our family and become apart of it. If you let it the experience will break you in some beautiful ways.

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