Helping the homeless - the Siloam Mission

On Monday this week, I visited the Siloam Mission to learn about their efforts to build a place of dignity for those in Winnipeg who are homeless, hungry and hurting.

As well as helping to sort potatoes and serve soup, I had a first hand look at the Siloam Mission facilty at 300 Princess Street. It is already serving to help many people each day with food and clothing and other supports. In sequence the Mission hopes to provide emergency shelter (Hannah's Place Emergency Shelter), a health care centre, women's transitional housing and an employment training centre.

There has been much confusion this week about whether federal funding for initiatives like this one is proceeding, or is not proceeding. What is clear, is that support for the homeless is badly needed to provide them support and dignity.

Thank you to Els Fenton, to John Mohan and to the many others at the Siloam Mission who helped me to better understand the efforts at the Siloam Mission and the needs of those who are homeless in Winnipeg.

To learn more about the Siloam Mission visit http://www.siloammission.com/