Having spent the last six months working as the executive director of Siloam Mission feels like a homecoming in many ways. Although I grew up on a homestead in northern Alberta — and spent most of my life working in the Wild Rose province — I’m no stranger to this city.

I still remember the first time I stepped foot in this community. The year was 1986.

My wife Tracie, along with our three children, moved from Edmonton to Winnipeg so I could attend my denominational college. Tracie and I drove to Winnipeg a few months before, in the dead of winter, to find a place to live and scope out the institution.

Since we were going to drive our own moving truck from Alberta, we left our old car in the college parking lot and took the train home. That poor old car never did recover from our first winter here.

Not only does living in Winnipeg feel like a déjà vu, working at Siloam Mission has made me come full circle as well.

While attending college, I got to meet Suk Woon Lee — a former inmate of Stony Mountain Institution. Lee was recruiting people to help start Siloam Mission on Main Street. I hopped on board with a few friends.

Before long, I was serving meals and helping with the church service every Thursday evening. Back then, Siloam was just a small soup kitchen.

One night, at a church service, the song leader was away. Unable to find anyone else, I was left in charge of leading the old hymns. I tried my best, belting out the tunes to the best of my abilities.

At the next Thursday night service, the regular song leader asked if there were any requests. One of our regular patrons, Tom, pointed at me and said: “I request that this guy never lead singing again.”

Although I was embarrassed, I came to appreciate the honesty of those we served.

After graduating college, we moved to Toronto and then back to Calgary, but I never lost touch with Siloam Mission or the friends I made along the way. I had always envisioned a different career for myself, but no matter where I went, I ended up working in organizations that served the marginalized.

Whether it was working with refugees, ex-offenders or the homeless, I came to find a bowl of soup and a blanket given with dignity has the power to change people. It lets them know they are valued.

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to see many lives changed and hope restored.

And now, more than 20 years later, I have the opportunity to return to the place that started it all for me. It’s good to see volunteers are still at the heart of the organization, giving away clothing, handing out meals and providing health services.

It is said a great city is not measured by its wealth, but by the people that care for each other.

Winnipeg continues to be an incredibly generous place, and I am happy to play a part.

— Floyd Perras is executive director of Siloam Mission.

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You never know what challenges you will go through in your life. Or what you may have to overcome.

At Siloam Mission, we document stories of people being in a place they never expected, or trying to make their way back to where they want to be. Here are a few examples:

Jill (not her real name) used to look at people who are homeless and think “they’re just feeling sorry for themselves” until she experienced homelessness herself.

“It was scary. I don’t know anything about street life and I had to experience everything right from scratch,” she said.

After going through a divorce and coping by drinking and experimenting with drugs, Jill found herself going downhill very fast.

“I had lost my home and I didn’t know what to do. I was all by myself,” she said.

Then one day she was dropped on the doorstep of Siloam Mission by her ex-husband. It was the chance Jill needed to get herself back on track and her life began to change.

She added, “I came to Siloam Mission and they offered me a chance to get myself back together.”

Brent (not his real name) was an athlete who excelled in soccer. During his younger years, he played for Team Manitoba and his talent was noticed by a scout for a team in Portugal. Brent was offered a spot on the team.

He quickly accepted and left Winnipeg. During his 12 ½ years in Portugal, he became addicted to cocaine. This, along with a knee injury, led to the end of his soccer career. A much-needed operation for Brent’s knee brought him back to Winnipeg.

“This was probably the best thing that ever happened to me,” he said, noting it began his road to recovery.

Once Brent was back in his hometown, he attended a rehabilitation program for several months to overcome his drug addiction; he’s been clean for a number of years.

Brent is getting his life back on track while serving others at Siloam Mission at the same time.

Some days are still a struggle: “It’s still something I don’t think you ever beat unless you can always say no,” he said.

No one dreams of being homeless, and contrary to what many may think, it is not an easy life. A main objective of Siloam Mission is to meet the immediate needs of those experiencing poverty and homelessness and we strive to do this in a manner that conveys dignity and value to those who need it. We also work in transitioning them into self-sufficient lives.

Siloam Mission’s programs and services are provided free of charge, with respect and without discrimination. From daily nutritious meals, to clothing and hygiene items, to shelter, health care and employment training programs, we serve hundreds of people like Jill and Brent every single day.

We lend a helping hand to those whose lives hang in the balance.

–Larry Updike is the senior spokesperson at Siloam Misison

SUN Article

In the mid 1960s I remember my parent’s concern for those who were less fortunate. I cannot remember exactly how my dad would come across some of the people whom he brought to our house. But I do remember how diverse and unusual they seemed.

At various times we had drug addicts, ex-cons, troubled families and individuals experiencing poverty and homelessness enter our doors. Many of them left as different, changed people. It left an impact on me as a boy that was to resurface.

While I was busy simultaneously building a broadcasting career and studying at University, I suppose my feelings for the less fortunate went somewhat on hold. That is, until my son Gordon was diagnosed with autism in the early 1990s. I hadn’t become a callous person, but dealing with a new kind of challenge gradually reignited my compassion.

Out of the blue, in May of 2009, a happy birthday wish from someone at Siloam Mission came to my Facebook page. I had interviewed people from there from time to time and decided to drop by the offices for a visit.

It had such an impact on me that by the end of the week I made the decision to leave my radio position and join Siloam’s staff. Although I knew it would be financially challenging I was convinced it was the right move. And it was.

I approached my time at Siloam with an open-ended mentality. I wasn’t in the land of extended, multi-year contracts. I just thought I would try to make a difference in a place I deeply respect for as long as I was useful.

It was a fantastic experience. I met staff and volunteers whose commitment to their mission was a marvel. I became friends with many of the patrons. As a public spokesman, I travelled to more than 108 venues throughout the province.

In one of his famous songs, Pete Seeger wrote, “to everything there is a season.” I believe this characterizes my interval at Siloam. During my time there, we underwent a change in leadership which is always unsettling. I was happy to contribute in any way I could during this process of transition.

Siloam’s new executive director, Floyd Perras, is an absolute god-send. He has vast experience in the non-profit sector which our city has yet to fully appreciate. This will happen as he becomes better known. I call him “a big fish in a smaller pond.”

Floyd has inspired fresh confidence both within Siloam and among its supporters. Floyd is also a successful, community-minded collaborator. Others involved in non-profits and in the business community would do well to seek his counsel.

Because of this caliber of leadership, plus Siloam’s other strengths, I felt comfortable pursuing an opportunity to return to broadcasting. I’ve come to realize that it isn’t so much where you work that makes a difference.

It is the kind of person you are.

As my season at Siloam ends, I feel I’m on the verge of another great adventure.

– Larry Updike is the Senior Spokesperson at Siloam Mission.

SUN Article

But her unwavering determination and drive kept Harmony from letting her past ruin her future.

Through songwriting, she channeled her painful childhood experience into something creative and positive.

As part of her healing journey, Harmony wrote a song called “Are You Breathing” and donated it to Siloam Mission.

“I hope this song reaches people,” the singer-songwriter said.

“I hope as people listen, a picture of someone they’ve encountered on the streets enters their head and starts an ‘itch’ inside. I hope it inspires people to do what they can to help eliminate the cycle of poverty in our city.”

The song tells a poignant tale built from one of Harmony’s early childhood memories.

“I am haunted by the memory of a lone, old man in a heavy brown coat, pushing a shopping cart on Main St.,” Harmony recalls.

“I was just a kid, but I really wanted to help him.”

Harmony never saw the man again, but the image of him was etched in her mind forever.

Envisioning the man and what may have happened to him all those years later, Harmony penned the tune “Are You Breathing” in 2006.

Two years later – and now with a family of her own – Harmony’s song came close to predicting her own future.

“My husband, six-year old daughter and I were three days away from being homeless ourselves,” Harmony says.

“We had no friends, no family, no support at all. It was a wake up call. Bad things happen to good people.”

Inspired by her near brush with life on the street, Harmony decided to donate her song to Siloam Mission and come for a tour of the facilities.

“I came to tour Siloam Mission’s facilities and I had a chance to speak to the people who use the services. Siloam really helps people make better choices and give opportunities where there usually are none,” Harmony says.

The song “Are You Breathing” can be purchased and downloaded for $0.99 at CD Baby. All proceeds go towards Siloam Mission.

Athletics Manitoba 2010 Empower Run In Support Of Siloam Mission

Where: Kildonan Park, South Shelter

When: Sunday September 19th, 2010

Time: 9:00 a.m. start for the 10km
9:05 a.m. start for the 3km

Register: Athletics Manitoba

Entry includes: TIMEX points, technical shirt, six chances to win $100, draw prizes, special prizes for early bird registrants

The Empower Run is the new name for the Athletics Manitoba 10km Championship. This year’s race is in support of Siloam Mission.

Help take a step towards changing the lives of Winnipeg’s less fortunate and join us at Kildonan Park on September 19th to empower change in our city.

In addition to the 10km race there is also a 3km fun fun/walk — bring the whole family!

All participants receive a technical shirt — if registered by August 30th. If you register before the early bird deadline of August 15th, you receive a special bonus gift!

Siloam Mission’s Senior Spokesperson, Larry Updike, announced today he will be leaving the organization.

“It has been an honour to work for such a fabulous organization,” says Updike.

“I have had nothing but support and encouragement in my efforts to raise awareness of people experiencing poverty and homelessness.”

Updike joined Siloam Mission last summer.

He played an instrumental role in creating awareness about issues of poverty and promoting advocacy for Winnipeg’s less fortunate.

“Siloam is not about an individual,” Updike says. “Its success rests on the compassion of dedicated staff and volunteers. Its strong leadership assures a bright future.”

Updike’s tenure at Siloam Mission ends August 27th.

“We are extremely grateful for the work Larry has done at Siloam,” says Executive Director Floyd Perras.

“He came to Siloam for a season and a reason. Not only did he promote our mission of connecting the compassionate with Winnipeg’s less fortunate, he embodied it. We wish him nothing but the best in the future.”

My answer is yes. These individuals are not abstractions or people whom I generalize about without having a degree of personal connection.

While I do spend some time in our drop-in centre, my favourite encounters occur on Siloam’s large loading dock at the rear of the building. It’s like my second office-space.

It doesn’t take long before I’m approached by someone wanting to visit. Before long, I find myself involved in some of the most fascinating, and at times disturbing, conversations I’ve ever had.

On one such occasion, I was chatting with a fellow and looking down the dock toward Henry Avenue.

A man was crossing the narrow street and heading our way. He obviously didn’t see a car coming toward him. The motorist screeched to a halt just in time.

“Get a job!”

Angered, the driver leaned out of his window and snarled, “Get a job!” before speeding off with his arm extended in a one-finger salute. The pedestrian was mad, too, and the gesture was reciprocated in kind.

I was thinking about that close call the other day when I ran across some notes written by Sarah Enns.

As Siloam’s former community education co-ordinator, Sarah had written some answers to a frequently asked question regarding people who are experiencing homelessness. The question was: “Why don’t they just get a job?”

It is a question people have asked me as well.

There are those who think the struggles of homelessness in Winnipeg have an easy solution: if people weren’t so lazy, if they just put in a little more effort, if they simply tried harder, everything would be fine.

Well, here’s something you may not know about. Siloam Mission’s Hannah’s Place Emergency Shelter has 110 beds and is full most nights. But a good 35% of shelter patrons get up very early in the morning to hit the streets to find a job.

Sporadic at best

Temporary work placement agencies offer employment that is sporadic at best. Many of our patrons head over to the agencies to get a job for a day.

Maybe the job ends up lasting a few more days or the work becomes steady for a longer period of time — but often they head over there and are told there is no job at all.

This is the type of work available to many individuals experiencing homelessness — unreliable, unsteady, unpredictable. And forget about luxuries like pension plans or benefits.

One might ask what happens to the other 65% who come and go at Siloam’s emergency shelter? There are many reasons that someone may not be working.

Here is Sarah Enns’ list of contributing barriers: physical illness, mental illness, physical disability, mental disability, old age, language barriers, drug and alcohol addiction, a previous criminal record, lack of education, lack of skills, no address, no phone number, no identification, stereotyping, discrimination and cyclical poverty.

Sarah asks: “Why, then, don’t they just get a job? With all this in mind, how can people still even ask that question?”

— Larry Updike is the senior communications and advocacy officer for Siloam Mission.

SUN Article