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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

I feel people’s frustration, and back in my early stages as a new Christian I felt the need to shout all of these statements from the roof tops. In fact I even had the magnet for my car that said “Jesus is the reason for the season” written inside a Christmas tree with a picture of Mary and Joseph and their baby boy (I think it may still be on my fridge). I used to get into debates with my non-believing friends for hours about the importance of keeping Christ in Christmas and be very in their face about it (a fine Christian virtue?). The problem for me and my obnoxious ranting ( I wish I could say they were deep theological discussions but that would be a big lie), and that very nice magnet for my car was that with all the importance that I thought keeping Christ in Christmas meant, it seemed to disappear when I went into the mall, grocery store, got cut off by another driver, when someone stepped in front of me in line when I had really important things to do like buy another stupid gag gift for an uncle who would laugh about it on Christmas and then return it to me via a donation to Helping Hands the following year. You see that magnet didn’t keep Christ in anything but particularly not Christmas.

I guess for me, I am more frustrated with all our Christian hypocrisy at this time of the year. We want to keep CHRIST in Christmas, but the last time I read scripture, the Christmas story has no reference to spending money we don’t have to buy things for people who don’t need anything. There is no reference in any scripture to “Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ was born!” and then yell at the person who cut you off and demand that the clerk at the counter hurry up because your time is very valuable. I don’t recall ever a time when Christ himself said “Go and make disciples of all nations, and for goodness sake please when you are celebrating my birth make sure you call those trees by the proper name!”

Don’t get me wrong I believe we need to keep Christ not only in Christmas, but in Easter, New Years, Valentines Day, Fourth of July, Canada Day, Halloween (yes even the dreadful Halloween), Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, first day of school, yesterday , today and yes EVEN tomorrow no matter what tomorrow may be. You see Christ should be kept in everything and everyday. It is what we as believers are called to do – as hard as that is for all of us. I wish this same amount of “Christian energy” was going out into putting Christ in daily encounters with people, friend’s, family, and strangers the way we were told to do it by God. You know Christians become this loud NOISE at Christmas that seems to get really quiet by Dec 26th when we all rush to get the best sale price on some stuff we really don’t need anyway, and stress out about the parking lot, the crowds and yell at each other in the process. Does Christ leave after Christmas? For some it does.

We think this holiday belongs to those who BELIEVE but we have totally got the point of the birth of Christ wrong. He came to earth to two homeless teenagers and had no material things to call his own to save us ALL – yes even those who call it a holiday tree. We say “Keep CHRIST in Christmas!’ but consume our way through the season over eating and over buying? How does that match up? Don’t get me wrong we all enjoy getting a gift and I dare say we even had SANTA come to our house – yes the evil Santa Claus who to some Christians is the evil arch enemy of Jesus. We are so silly sometimes. I guess my view of God is a little different. I believe that He would be happy with ANYTHING that encourages giving and joy at the Christmas. I mean we are so busy as BELIEVERS getting mad at the offensive idea of a holiday tree or a guy who tries to grant the wishes of children, that we have no time left to discuss the birth of love grace mercy and peace. No one would listen anyway. Those non-believers have tuned us all out anyway and besides all they have to do is wait a few weeks or months to see that we are hypocrites. We BELIEVERS do keep CHRIST in Christmas – we just put him away somewhere for the rest of the year.

Please remember the reason for the season is NOT a CHRISTMAS tree, it is actually Christ. Go and bless a family that you know may be struggling. Be patient at the store in line and in the parking lot. Be gracious merciful and kind. That is how those Holiday Tree Santa believing messed up people will know that you are a BELIEVER, especially if you can do that all year. That is how people come to know who Christ really is. Not through a CHRISTmas tree but by keeping a watchful eye on all of us at Christmas and all year long.

Merry Christmas everyone and Merry the whole rest of the year too!

What are your gifts? This is often the question after the question of “where should I serve?” At Helping Hands Street Mission we have had the great privilege of working with amazing volunteers. Some volunteers have been with us from the very beginning, 8 years! Some a little less than that, and some very recent. We have had volunteers come and go, but for the most part when people connect with the friends and family at HHSM, they stay because they just cant help themselves.

Who is a good candidate for volunteering at HHSM? What gifts do you need? The answer is anyone and everyone. Whatever greatness God has put in you, we will use it! We are all given greatness, and sometimes we are searching for some amazing gift or waiting for it to show up, and we forget we are already filled with the Holy Spirit. A wonderful friend of mine Becky who volunteers as the Barton Salon Hair dresser thought her talent was simple and rather boring – she cuts hair. She didn’t realize what a world she would open up by coming down to the mission to cut hair for free for 6 hours a month (she also goes out on Friday nights with her husband to serve on our street outreach team). Her “simple” gift allows her to speak into peoples lives while she has them in the chair and show them how special they are by making them look fantastic with a great shampoo, cut and blow dry. Just a hair cut? Not when you ask someone like Murray who came in to get a hair cut, and left standing a little taller than he did when he came to visit. Becky uses her “simple” gift to change lives.

What is your gift? I can’t cut hair to save my life, and my “talents” are pretty minimal, but I know how to talk. Yep that’s it. I know how to speak to people, listen, and have a great conversation – that’s all. But what these gifts really boil down to is someone’s ability to give love to someone else, whether that’s a hair cut, cup of coffee and conversation, sharing their artistic abilities or cooking talent. Anything that you have inside you that is used for the glory of God is necessary and needed down at HHSM.

As the mission grows the need for more volunteers becomes necessary, and recruiting people can be a challenge sometimes. We are busy. Life is crazy and the only down time you have may not lead you to want to hang out at the Barton Boutique, Hair Salon, Café, Jimmy’s Place, Mama’s Place or street level with our outreach. I understand that. Your time is valuable – actually more valuable than you may even realize. It is a resource that God has given all of us, and like money, we are expected to tithe our time and invest it into the kingdom. If you think this is turning into a recruitment plea you would be correct.

I am pleading with you to invest your time into something that no monetary investment can even come close to giving you the same rate of return. 3 hours of your time per week, 12 hours of your time per month, 144 hours per year can change your life in ways that no other investment can. How much time do you spend watching TV a week? Shopping? On the computer? Driving your car from group to group? Numerous bible studies? Yes even bible studies. You can attend 2 or more a week and they won’t harm you, but why not try living out what the scripture you are studying is teaching? How about taking the time it takes to watch TV (something I am guilty of doing in my down time too much) and investing time into someone else’s life by having a cup of coffee with them, playing darts, laughing, sharing memories, lending an ear, learning a craft, helping them to look better, feel better, teaching them about Jesus by seeing Jesus in them. Why not decide that your new year’s resolution this year will be to invest your time in a great place like HHSM where you can laugh, cry, love, be loved and just share this incredible mess we call life together? What if you gave yourself one year as a challenge to devote 3 hours a week, 12 hours a month, 144 hours a year into the kingdom in a way that will change your life forever?

I dare you to try it. If you are still the same after one year than you don’t ever have to volunteer again with us. Challenge yourself. We have lots of friends and family waiting to see you. Come on down.

It was 15 minutes before we closed on Friday, and a family of three walked by and then turned around and came in. We had just run out of coffee but we had cookies and water to offer them. They asked for a pot to cook with, but we didn’t have one left. Almost everything they asked for we couldn’t provide, although they did get a pair of pants for their 3 year old son. The mother started to tell her husband about her day at work as they sat down with a look of relief on their faces – I think they travelled far to get here. She works full time at Tim Horton’s while the dad stays home with their son. She was exhausted today because it was her day to clean the bathrooms and someone had decided to wipe their feces all over the walls in the woman’s washroom. She didn’t seem to be complaining about it. It sounded like a regular occurrence. Dad said his day went well because they went to the park, and now promised their little boy a treat from the dollar store next to the mission. He wanted a slushy, so they counted their change while they were sitting to see that they had enough for 2 so they could all share. The little boy was excited to hold the money.

It was time to close so they got up and gave me the pants so I could put them in a bag for them. I apologized again for not having the items they needed, but told them to come back whenever they can and ask again. As they went to leave the dad put some pennies in the donation jar. His son was upset because he wanted to give to the jar also, so his dad put the jar in front of him and he put all their change inside. I thanked them but also told them it wasn’t necessary to leave anything, reminding them the pants were free. The mother just smiled and they all walked out. I watched as they passed the dollar store with no complaints from their little boy who gave away his treat money. He wouldn’t get his slushy today.

The mission received a “facelift “of sorts this week. Fresh paint, reorganized shelves, new chairs, new desk, cleaned from top to bottom, new pictures hung and even a fancy new pen for that new desk. The space seems bigger, cleaner easier to move in. I couldn’t wait to open the doors today for all our friends excited to hear what they had to say about all the “newness” of it.