It’s good to be back in Winnipeg.
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.
