Siloam Mission has a blog!
We'll be keeping you informed on the happenings around Siloam Mission as well as offering some of our views on homelessness and poverty.
Check it out now at http://siloamblog.tumblr.com/.
Since we will have a general Siloam Mission blog, we'll be transfering our Under the Radar blog over. So from now on, go to that link above to see what we have to share.
Sarah Enns
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Difficult Times
As you may have heard, a week ago today, Siloam Mission laid off 25% of its staff. It was a difficult week, to say the least.
We haven’t been doing well financially and as extreme a measure as this seems, our leadership feels it really is the only way to handle the situation at the present time. As difficult as it is, we have taken a course that will hopefully prevent us from having to cut back on any of our services. The most important thing at this point is to make sure the people we serve, the people who feel a sense of belonging here with us, do not get left out in the cold so to speak – or quite literally I suppose.
People come to Siloam Mission because we offer dignity and respect, and provide a relief from life on the streets – even if for just a moment. So although the loss of some of our staff members has been and will continue to be difficult, both for those who go and those who stay, we must continue the work God has trusted us with. And in turn, continue to trust in Him.
We trust what the book of Romans tells us, that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord. So we will trust that what Satan intends for evil, God can use for good. We will keep our eyes focused on what we are here for.
Those who will be moving on have taken the news quite well. There is emotion of course, but many have asked when they will be able to return to volunteer. That’s because we have a team of people at Siloam who truly care about what they’re doing. It’s not just a job to us – it’s life, it’s love, and it’s God’s heart.
As a connecting point between the compassionate and Winnipeg’s less fortunate, we have always relied on volunteer support. Now, even more than ever, we need the support of our community; through material goods, funds, and particularly time. We will continue to offer programs and services at no charge for those who are experiencing poverty and homelessness in our city, and we need your help.
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator
We haven’t been doing well financially and as extreme a measure as this seems, our leadership feels it really is the only way to handle the situation at the present time. As difficult as it is, we have taken a course that will hopefully prevent us from having to cut back on any of our services. The most important thing at this point is to make sure the people we serve, the people who feel a sense of belonging here with us, do not get left out in the cold so to speak – or quite literally I suppose.
People come to Siloam Mission because we offer dignity and respect, and provide a relief from life on the streets – even if for just a moment. So although the loss of some of our staff members has been and will continue to be difficult, both for those who go and those who stay, we must continue the work God has trusted us with. And in turn, continue to trust in Him.
We trust what the book of Romans tells us, that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord. So we will trust that what Satan intends for evil, God can use for good. We will keep our eyes focused on what we are here for.
Those who will be moving on have taken the news quite well. There is emotion of course, but many have asked when they will be able to return to volunteer. That’s because we have a team of people at Siloam who truly care about what they’re doing. It’s not just a job to us – it’s life, it’s love, and it’s God’s heart.
As a connecting point between the compassionate and Winnipeg’s less fortunate, we have always relied on volunteer support. Now, even more than ever, we need the support of our community; through material goods, funds, and particularly time. We will continue to offer programs and services at no charge for those who are experiencing poverty and homelessness in our city, and we need your help.
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Jesus Never Talked to a Prostitute
“Jesus never talked to a prostitute because he didn’t see a prostitute; he just saw a child of God whom he was madly in love with.” – Shane Claiborne
On the wall on the 4th floor at Siloam Mission, we have that quote posted. A staff member wrote it on a piece of card stock with a permanent marker to post during an event. That event was two years ago, but I liked the words so much that I just left it.
We often have groups, of all ages, up on the 4th floor and they see it. Some get it and just stand there and nod. Others don’t really understand what it means and ask about it.
Whether a follower of Jesus or not, we can see in history that he was one who saw the person and not their circumstance. And still knowing the circumstance, loved them anyway. He offered mercy and grace when others would have condemned.
During his human life, Jesus didn’t talk to a prostitute, a thief, or a murderer. He talked to his people; his children. Jesus didn’t fellowship with the criminal, the sick, the poor, the homeless, or the sinner. He was just with his people; his loved ones.
That’s why we keep that quote on the wall. We want to be an organization that sees people for who they are, not for their situation or circumstance in life. We want to see people the way Jesus sees them – as people; people who have potential and need to be loved.
I hope I never talk to a prostitute either.
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator
On the wall on the 4th floor at Siloam Mission, we have that quote posted. A staff member wrote it on a piece of card stock with a permanent marker to post during an event. That event was two years ago, but I liked the words so much that I just left it.
We often have groups, of all ages, up on the 4th floor and they see it. Some get it and just stand there and nod. Others don’t really understand what it means and ask about it.
Whether a follower of Jesus or not, we can see in history that he was one who saw the person and not their circumstance. And still knowing the circumstance, loved them anyway. He offered mercy and grace when others would have condemned.
During his human life, Jesus didn’t talk to a prostitute, a thief, or a murderer. He talked to his people; his children. Jesus didn’t fellowship with the criminal, the sick, the poor, the homeless, or the sinner. He was just with his people; his loved ones.
That’s why we keep that quote on the wall. We want to be an organization that sees people for who they are, not for their situation or circumstance in life. We want to see people the way Jesus sees them – as people; people who have potential and need to be loved.
I hope I never talk to a prostitute either.
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Learning Together
On January 13, 2010, we held our first workshop here at Siloam Mission. The topics covered were Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, New Canadians, and Aboriginal Issues and Reserves. We had guest speakers from Manitoba Family Services and Housing, Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization of Manitoba, Siloam Mission, and The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. 34 participants came out to enjoy an evening of learning together.
As we get ready to host our next workshop on Wednesday February 9, I am excited for the potential behind these sessions; the potential for learning, for making new contacts, for advocacy, and for connecting the community.
Learning together is one of the best ways to build up a community. It’s also where change begins; we can’t change something if we don’t have a firm grasp on the issue.
In a culture that so often forgets about those who struggle, those who exist under the radar of society, it is wonderful to have over 30 adults in the same room ready to learn about poverty and homelessness together. I can see already that our participants are eager to take action and make some changes in our city.
Sarah Enns
As we get ready to host our next workshop on Wednesday February 9, I am excited for the potential behind these sessions; the potential for learning, for making new contacts, for advocacy, and for connecting the community.
Learning together is one of the best ways to build up a community. It’s also where change begins; we can’t change something if we don’t have a firm grasp on the issue.
In a culture that so often forgets about those who struggle, those who exist under the radar of society, it is wonderful to have over 30 adults in the same room ready to learn about poverty and homelessness together. I can see already that our participants are eager to take action and make some changes in our city.
Sarah Enns
Friday, January 22, 2010
Haiti's Earthquake
After hearing about last week’s major earthquake in and around the Port-au-Prince area, Siloam Mission called on our community to join us in extending a hand of hope to those in desperate need in Haiti.
Our inspiration came from the generosity of donations made by participants of our employment-training program, Building Futures, who were once homeless themselves. We also have a few staff members who are emotionally invested in the small country, and we felt the need to honour their connection to the people there.
To show our support of the global community and those who are now without homes, food, and basic necessities, Siloam Mission staff rallied to raise funds. As an organization that works with people in their toughest moments, we want to show compassion to our neighbours in Haiti who now face what seems like a hopeless situation.
On a personal note, I have travelled to the country many times and have therefore made connections with organizations, friends, and acquaintances in Haiti. Last week I heard of the death of a friend and his family. This friend will be greatly missed by many; he was a true advocate for his people.
I also received some good news about others who had survived the quake, but are now facing desperate situations looking for food, water, and medical attention while aid groups struggle to get necessities distributed.
Wednesday night I spoke with a friend on the phone who told me that he and his family were alive but “things in Haiti are not ok.” He explained that they are living outside at the compound of a guest house with about 50 other people and they have no food or water. And I felt helpless to assist them.
An email last week from another acquaintance simply stated; “Our home is ruined so we are living outdoors. Pray for us.”
While continuing on with our lives here in Canada is not a betrayal of our loved ones who suffer in the devastated area, we must remember our brothers and sisters in Haiti at this time.
Haiti’s needs have long been forgotten by the rest of the western world. Over the next few weeks when the media coverage decreases, as it inevitably will, we can not again forget about the country with a population nearing 10 million. We are not their “saviours”, but they have to know they are not alone.
There have been so many discouraging stories coming out of Haiti over the past 10 days; violence, death, destruction, looting. But we need to keep in mind that there are also amazingly touching things happening there: people letting others into their still-standing homes to share what meager means they have left; aid offered from all over the world including from neighbouring Dominican Republic; local hospitals pulling it together to assist far more people than they were built to sustain. The Haitian people are strong and resilient; they have proven this throughout their history.
This terrible situation will not be easily or quickly overcome. There will be physical, emotional, psychological, and structural damage for years. But… L’union fait la force! (Unity Makes Strength).
My heart is with you dear Ayiti.
Sarah Enns
Find out how to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake:
http://www.siloam.ca/news/mission-media-stories/haiti-disaster-new-release
http://www.internationalchildcare.org/
http://www.worldvision.ca/Pages/Home.aspx
Our inspiration came from the generosity of donations made by participants of our employment-training program, Building Futures, who were once homeless themselves. We also have a few staff members who are emotionally invested in the small country, and we felt the need to honour their connection to the people there.
To show our support of the global community and those who are now without homes, food, and basic necessities, Siloam Mission staff rallied to raise funds. As an organization that works with people in their toughest moments, we want to show compassion to our neighbours in Haiti who now face what seems like a hopeless situation.
On a personal note, I have travelled to the country many times and have therefore made connections with organizations, friends, and acquaintances in Haiti. Last week I heard of the death of a friend and his family. This friend will be greatly missed by many; he was a true advocate for his people.
I also received some good news about others who had survived the quake, but are now facing desperate situations looking for food, water, and medical attention while aid groups struggle to get necessities distributed.
Wednesday night I spoke with a friend on the phone who told me that he and his family were alive but “things in Haiti are not ok.” He explained that they are living outside at the compound of a guest house with about 50 other people and they have no food or water. And I felt helpless to assist them.
An email last week from another acquaintance simply stated; “Our home is ruined so we are living outdoors. Pray for us.”
While continuing on with our lives here in Canada is not a betrayal of our loved ones who suffer in the devastated area, we must remember our brothers and sisters in Haiti at this time.
Haiti’s needs have long been forgotten by the rest of the western world. Over the next few weeks when the media coverage decreases, as it inevitably will, we can not again forget about the country with a population nearing 10 million. We are not their “saviours”, but they have to know they are not alone.
There have been so many discouraging stories coming out of Haiti over the past 10 days; violence, death, destruction, looting. But we need to keep in mind that there are also amazingly touching things happening there: people letting others into their still-standing homes to share what meager means they have left; aid offered from all over the world including from neighbouring Dominican Republic; local hospitals pulling it together to assist far more people than they were built to sustain. The Haitian people are strong and resilient; they have proven this throughout their history.
This terrible situation will not be easily or quickly overcome. There will be physical, emotional, psychological, and structural damage for years. But… L’union fait la force! (Unity Makes Strength).
My heart is with you dear Ayiti.
Sarah Enns
Find out how to help the victims of the Haiti earthquake:
http://www.siloam.ca/news/mission-media-stories/haiti-disaster-new-release
http://www.internationalchildcare.org/
http://www.worldvision.ca/Pages/Home.aspx
Thursday, January 7, 2010
New Year, New Program
It’s been quite a while…. We’ve been busy around here creating the new Under the Radar program.
The first Under the Radar Workshop is next week; Wednesday January 13, 2010. We’ll hear about poverty and homelessness in Manitoba generally and the specific topics covered will be Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, New Canadians, and Aboriginal Issues and Reserves.
These educational workshops are designed for adults to help participants on their continuing journey to becoming optimistic and solution-based advocates for domestic social justice.
Covering a variety of topics such as addictions, housing, crime, youth, employment, and health care, these sessions will give you a renewed motivation to make change happen in your city.
Workshops are held on weekday evenings at Siloam Mission and run in a series of 6.
Check the website for topics, the schedule, and registration information.
www.siloam.ca/undertheradar
The first Under the Radar Workshop is next week; Wednesday January 13, 2010. We’ll hear about poverty and homelessness in Manitoba generally and the specific topics covered will be Manitoba’s Poverty Reduction Strategy, New Canadians, and Aboriginal Issues and Reserves.
These educational workshops are designed for adults to help participants on their continuing journey to becoming optimistic and solution-based advocates for domestic social justice.
Covering a variety of topics such as addictions, housing, crime, youth, employment, and health care, these sessions will give you a renewed motivation to make change happen in your city.
Workshops are held on weekday evenings at Siloam Mission and run in a series of 6.
Check the website for topics, the schedule, and registration information.
www.siloam.ca/undertheradar
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Get out of the Huddle
A while back I attended a course which is held annually called “The Leadership Summit” with a few other staff members. There were quite a few speakers who shared a number of valuable points, and many things stood out to me. Of all the inspirational and motivating speakers, one in particular caught my attention – he was hard to miss!
Harvey Carey is the Senior Pastor of Citadel of Faith Covenant Church in Detroit, Michigan. He is a very animated and dynamic speaker, and his congregation is “committed to providing real solutions for people and communities in distress.”
Harvey communicated many things about the love of God and the transforming truths of His word. Of all the inspirational statements he made though, one thing stood out to me the most and has been stuck in my mind. He said, “you have to get out of the huddle!”
His illustration went something like this…
Imagine you have tickets to a football game, you’ve paid a big price for them, you’re sitting in a front row seat, and then the players just stay in their huddle talking about what they are going to do but never do it. You wouldn’t be very satisfied with your game experience. If this happened, you’d probably get upset and perhaps ask for your money back. The point of a football game is not to stand there and talk about what you’re going to do, but to go out and do it – the point is to play the game.
Harvey went on to explain that he feels this is what’s happening with our churches today. We’re getting together to huddle but we’re not actually going out and playing the game. We talk about God’s love for humanity but we don’t go out and share it with the world around us. We gather together and talk about all the great things He has done for us, but keep Him to ourselves in our church buildings. We huddle on Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and we even have a mid week huddle. Meanwhile God’s sitting on the sidelines in His front row seat saying, “hey, I paid a big price for you, and all you’re going to do is stand there together in a huddle?!”
Maybe we can relate this to the organizations and agencies that work with poverty and homelessness in our city too. Obviously the planning part is important and needs to be done, but maybe we spend too much time planning what we’ll do to combat the effects of poverty and not enough time actually doing it. Maybe this is also what our government does.
I have two huddles to get out of; the church services huddle and the non-profit charity planning huddle.
Where do you huddle? What huddles do you need to get out of?
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator
Harvey Carey is the Senior Pastor of Citadel of Faith Covenant Church in Detroit, Michigan. He is a very animated and dynamic speaker, and his congregation is “committed to providing real solutions for people and communities in distress.”
Harvey communicated many things about the love of God and the transforming truths of His word. Of all the inspirational statements he made though, one thing stood out to me the most and has been stuck in my mind. He said, “you have to get out of the huddle!”
His illustration went something like this…
Imagine you have tickets to a football game, you’ve paid a big price for them, you’re sitting in a front row seat, and then the players just stay in their huddle talking about what they are going to do but never do it. You wouldn’t be very satisfied with your game experience. If this happened, you’d probably get upset and perhaps ask for your money back. The point of a football game is not to stand there and talk about what you’re going to do, but to go out and do it – the point is to play the game.
Harvey went on to explain that he feels this is what’s happening with our churches today. We’re getting together to huddle but we’re not actually going out and playing the game. We talk about God’s love for humanity but we don’t go out and share it with the world around us. We gather together and talk about all the great things He has done for us, but keep Him to ourselves in our church buildings. We huddle on Sunday morning, Sunday evening, and we even have a mid week huddle. Meanwhile God’s sitting on the sidelines in His front row seat saying, “hey, I paid a big price for you, and all you’re going to do is stand there together in a huddle?!”
Maybe we can relate this to the organizations and agencies that work with poverty and homelessness in our city too. Obviously the planning part is important and needs to be done, but maybe we spend too much time planning what we’ll do to combat the effects of poverty and not enough time actually doing it. Maybe this is also what our government does.
I have two huddles to get out of; the church services huddle and the non-profit charity planning huddle.
Where do you huddle? What huddles do you need to get out of?
Sarah Enns
Community Education Coordinator
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