When Rod first walked through the doors of Siloam Mission, he wasn’t quite sure what to expect.
After a long career as an engineer, and approaching retirement, he began thinking about how he wanted to spend his time. He was looking for something meaningful, something that felt connected to people and purpose.
Volunteering kept coming up in conversations, and one name surfaced again and again: Siloam Mission.
Curious, he decided to see it for himself. That simple step marked the beginning of something much bigger.
He remembers being struck by the passion in the room and the strong sense of purpose and community among staff and volunteers. It felt like a place where people truly cared. He started in the kitchen, where he was welcomed with warmth and kindness, and it did not take long before he felt like he belonged.
More than 5,000 hours later, Rod is still here.
Over the years, Siloam has grown in size and services, but for Rod, something essential has never changed. “There’s always been that basic compassion,” he says. “Treating people as individuals. Valuing them.”
That compassion did not just shape the organization. It changed him too.
Rod remembers one of his early shifts in the Drop In. A man walked in, and instead of keeping his distance, Rod chose to step forward, say hello, and start a conversation. That small moment became a turning point.
“Now I look for people. I recognize them. I’m glad to see them,” he says.
Even on days when he felt tired, when it would have been easier to stay home, Rod came anyway. And each time, he left with more than he expected, carrying a quiet sense of purpose from the hours he had given.
Sometimes, that meaning is found in simple moments.
Like the night a woman came into the clothing room with nothing but the clothes she was wearing. Rod helped her find what she needed, including a pair of jeans that fit just right. In that moment, you could see a bit of joy return to her face.
“To be even a small part of that, it felt like being part of a miracle,” Rod says.
There are many moments like this. A man needing help putting on shoes because arthritis had taken away the strength in his hands. Someone finding a warm toque in the middle of winter and holding onto it like it was the greatest gift they had ever received. Small things that carry immense meaning.
Through it all, Rod has remained steady. In every season, even on the coldest days, he shows up. He knows that when the weather is harsh, more people will be seeking warmth and safety, and fewer volunteers may be able to make it in.
After 5,000 hours, Rod doesn’t measure his time in milestones, but in what it has taught him – about people, about kindness, and about what it means to be there for someone going through a difficult time.
“My goal is to give more than I receive,” he says. “I’m not there yet.”
We’re so thankful to Rod and all our volunteers for the time they give and the kindness they share. Their compassion is changing lives every day.
If you’re interested in volunteering with Siloam Mission, we invite you to connect with Volunteer Services at volunteer@siloam.ca
