Many people know Siloam Mission for shelter and meals – but there’s so much more. At the Saul Sair Health Centre, an entire world of care unfolds every day. From primary healthcare to ongoing support, the health centre welcomes anyone in need. It removes barriers that often make healthcare out of reach for people experiencing homelessness.
It’s in this space, among the bustle of appointments and quiet moments of listening, that Sara Delorme and Beverly Porcalla have become familiar faces – helping people find the care and support they need.
“We don’t judge how someone got here,” Sara says. “We’re just here to help.”
Over the years, Sara has seen how important it is to build trust with clients. For many, the first step toward healing isn’t medical – it’s being heard.
“A lot of people just want someone to listen,” she says. “When they realize you actually care, you can see the difference.”
Those conversations often lead to connections with medical care, mental health support, detox programs, or housing services – helping people take their next steps toward stability.
What makes the Saul Sair Health Centre unique is the team of volunteer doctors, nurses, dentists, and specialists who give what time they can. While limited hours mean not everyone can be seen each day, Sara and Beverly work hard to prioritize urgent needs and encourage others to return as soon as care is available.
Beverly works behind the scenes to coordinate schedules with volunteer doctors and specialists, helping turn their generosity into care that reaches the people who need it most.
“We are truly blessed for our volunteers,” Beverly says. “We couldn’t do what we do without their kindness.”
Donor generosity also plays a vital role in making this care possible. Sara recalls one man who hadn’t had teeth in over ten years. Through donor-funded dental care, he received dentures. “He came out smiling and said, ‘Look, I’ve got teeth,’” Sara says. “Then he told me he was going to go eat an apple.”
Donations help provide medications, diabetic supplies, vision care, and transportation to specialist appointments – essentials many take for granted, but life-changing for someone without stable housing.
Some of Sara’s most meaningful moments come when clients share good news.
“When someone tells me they got housing, that they don’t need to stay here anymore, that’s the best,” she says. “You can see the pride. That’s hope.”
Sara and Beverly have seen lives transformed with every act of kindness, and they remain inspired by the resilience of the community and the generosity of donors and volunteers who make this work possible.
“Every dollar matters,” Sara says. “It’s not just healthcare. It’s dignity. And that changes lives.”
The Saul Sair Health Centre is open every day, with evening hours twice a week made possible by the generosity of volunteers.
If you have a professional background you’d like to share, consider volunteering at Siloam Mission. Your skills and generosity can help ensure people have access to the care, support, and hope they need to take the next step in their lives. To learn more about volunteering, contact us at volunteer@siloam.ca.
