At Siloam Mission, we meet people at some of the hardest moments of their lives. Because of our community’s support, we’re able to offer life-changing care every day – warm meals, safe shelter, housing support, and vital services that help people find stability and hope.
Thanks to the generosity of Manitobans like you, someone like Elena was able to find the support she desperately needed.
One freezing winter evening last year, Elena arrived at our Winter Overnight Warming Space holding her two-year-old daughter close. Her little girl slept in her arms, one small hand gripping her mother’s coat, as Elena stepped inside from the cold.
Elena looked exhausted – not just from the weather, but from months of trying to hold her life together.
The apartment she worked so hard to keep had become unsafe. Violent incidents were common, the heat barely worked, and mold spread from a leak the landlord refused to repair. Eventually, her daughter’s health began to suffer, forcing Elena to miss work. Rent and bills piled up over time. Then came the eviction notice.
With no savings left, Elena and her daughter had nowhere left to turn.
In her desperation, she thought of her late grandmother – the woman who raised her and the only family she ever had. Her grandmother used to volunteer at Siloam Mission and often spoke about the kindness she witnessed here. Those memories guided Elena through our doors.
Because of you, we were ready.
Over the days that followed, our Housing Loss Prevention team worked closely with Elena to rebuild stability. They helped her apply for benefits she didn’t know she qualified for, connected her with vital support services, and worked tirelessly to secure safe, affordable housing for her and her daughter.
Then, something truly extraordinary happened.
A duplex had just been donated to Siloam – a safe, warm space for two families in need of a place to call home, and we had yet to fill one of the suites.
Elena could hardly believe it when we shared this opportunity with her.
“I didn’t know people could care this much for someone they’d never met. I’m so grateful. That night, when I tucked my daughter into bed, it was the first time in a long time that I truly felt we were going to be okay.” – Elena
Today, Elena and her daughter are doing so well.
They are safe, healthy, and happy. Each night, she reads her daughter bedtime stories in the peaceful safety of their new home – something she used to dream of doing when life felt uncertain. Now, the only sounds filling their little home are her child’s laughter and the soft turning of pages before sleep.
This is the impact your support makes possible. And we are deeply grateful.
This Christmas, your gift can bring nourishing meals, safe shelter, and the support people experiencing homelessness need to rebuild their lives.
To give a gift of hope this Christmas, visit www.siloam.ca/christmas or call 204.956.4344.
