Hope Mission Connection

Hope Mission Christmas Catalogue 2009!

2009-12-08T12:16:00.000-08:00

Start shopping by clicking the banner below. Send beautiful e-cards honouring friends and family.

Held Upon the Earth

2009-11-30T14:39:00.000-08:00

Here's your invitation to an evening of music and narrative, song and prose, that will, yes, entertain, but will also clear some ground and allow you to sink into a place of longing, belonging, and reflection.

Along with some Christmas favourites, you'll hear original work from Andrea House, Amy Van Keeken and Dana Wylie. Each of these artists have toured clubs, festivals and concert halls, across the continent. Each performer has garnered long lists of glowing reviews. If you have yet to experience their music, it's high time to treat yourself to the liquid wonder and the natural edenic power of these voices.

In between songs there will be readings from some of my (Stephen Berg) writing. Giving life to these pieces will be Coralie Cairns. Coralie is a Sterling Award winning actor whose work crosses and encompasses stage, film and television. Besides listening to artists that lean in with their hearts and lead with their souls, what really excites me about the evening is that several of the writings chosen will give voice to the people of the street, those we at Hope Mission serve and care for.

Pulling all this together is Fringe Festival veteran and award winning playwright, David Belke.

You have two evenings to pick from. We would be ecstatic to see you there.

Presented by: The Project @ Holy Trinity Church , 10037 – 84 Ave

Tix $15 at Door or Call 780.433.5533 Shows At 7:30 PM

Immigration Hall, Shaw TV, Janelle's interview

2009-11-03T15:33:00.000-08:00

Check here for Shaw TV's coverage of the grand opening of Immigration Hall.

(Well done Janelle! We'll miss you!!)

Immigration Hall Opens

2009-11-03T08:49:00.000-08:00

Susan McGee, Executive Director Homeward Trust, Ben Henderson, City Councillor-Ward 4, Tim Uppal, MP Edmonton-Sherwood Park, Naresh Bhardwaj, MLA for Edmonton-Ellerslie, Bruce Reith, Executive Director Hope Mission

Press Release

Hope Mission is proud to debut the grand opening of Immigration Hall with the Hope Street Festival. This historical building, located at 10534 – 100 St, will offer 44 apartment suites. Responsibility and accountability are held in high standards and everyone living there will be paying rent, as well as respecting their property and their neighbours.

This exciting new facility is opening the same year Hope Mission is celebrating its 80th year of services to Edmonton's inner-city community.

Along with transitional and recovery programs, Hope Mission offers a variety of services to homeless and disadvantaged men, women and youth such as meal services, emergency shelters, youth programs and Rapid Exit, a division of the Housing First project.

The Government of Canada, through funding to Homeward Trust, invested $5.4 million to purchase the building and to renovate and redevelop Immigration Hall. The remaining funds of approximately $3.9 million were contributed by Alldritt Developments, Alberta Housing and

Urban Affairs, Alberta Real Estate Foundation, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the City of Edmonton Housing Branch & Heritage. The total cost of the building and redevelopment was $9.3 million.

"Our government is supporting many Canadians with housing needs and is fulfilling our commitment to help those seeking to break free of the cycle of homelessness and poverty," said Mr. Tim Uppal, Member of Parliament for Edmonton–Sherwood Park, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. "Through this investment, the Hope Mission and Homeward Trust Edmonton will be able to help people who are homeless or at risk of being homeless, by providing supportive housing and services."

"We are excited that this project is ready to open its doors. It is very fulfilling knowing that a historic property has been redeveloped for such a worthwhile purpose," said Susan McGee, Executive Director, Homeward Trust Edmonton. "Immigration Hall will contribute towards our efforts in ending homelessness by providing permanent homes for people and an opportunity for a fresh start."

Homeward Trust is a not-for-profit organization that uses a community-based approach toward the goal of ending homelessness in Edmonton. Its primary role is to coordinate response to housing needs by working together with local agencies and all orders of government

H1N1 flu clinic targets homeless people

2009-10-30T10:48:00.000-07:00

In today's EdJournal, with comments by Janelle. All about today's activity surrounding H1N1 vaccination of homeless people at the Immigration Hall's grand opening.

Immigration Hall Press Release

2009-10-30T09:47:00.000-07:00

Friday's here...and here's one more reminder: Press release

2009-10-02T08:30:00.000-07:00

As we all know, Steve is by far the most humble and ‘out-of-the-spotlight’ as one can be; however, this past week I have let all of our staff know about an award Steve is being honoured with.

This afternoon at City Hall, Steve will be presented with the 2009 Spirit of Edmonton Award. This award ‘honours the unsung heroes and heroines of our city who have unselfishly boosted civic pride and whose efforts embody our community’s true spirit.’

By not only raising awareness about homeless, poverty and injustice, Steve also puts faces and names to personal stories he shares on his blogs and editorials in The Edmonton Journal. He introduces his readers to his daily encounters of people he meets, acts of kindness he witnesses or poetically reflects on the symbolism of some in adamant object that prompts a favourite memory of times that have passed.

His dedication to his continuous journey to give voices to those who are often ignored, shine a light into an otherwise dark alley of our city. As we may get angered or jaded by local politics, events, bad drivers or our infamous weather, Steve reminds us why we call Edmonton home by reminding us all about the hidden beauty in everyone, everything and, yes, even our weather.

Congratulations on this recognition Steve, for no one is more deserving of this than you.

Past recipients of this award are international award-winning artist Yew Wei-Lee and Bruce Hogle, CTV veteran and Canadian Association of Broadcaster's Hall of Fame inductee.

*** Steve will be at City Hall this afternoon and will receive this award from Mayor Mandel. It will be recorded and shown at the Eskimos football game tonight.***

One Meal One Hope

2009-09-24T17:22:00.000-07:00

A wonderful idea from the folks at Seattle's Union Gospel Mission.

Get some volunteers, go downtown, hold up cardboard signs and show people just how they can help the hungry and homeless.

Returning Home

2009-08-07T10:35:00.001-07:00

It is incredible how fast time flies. I never could have imagined how quickly a year can pass you by. It feels like yesterday when I was waddling around Hope Mission with a snack in one hand and a de-cafe latte in the other, hiding in my office and crying uncontrollably for no reason, forgetting everything at once due to “pregnancy brain” and all the other physical and emotional rollercoaster rides many of you witnessed … and may have, in fact, stopped some of you from wanting kids any time soon. (And for that, I apologize).

Maternity leave was the most incredible, and many moments the most challenging, time in my entire life. Lucy June Pauline Johnston was born at 4:37 am on August 9th. She weighed in at a whopping 9 lbs 8 oz; so for those of you who remember how huge I was, she was indeed a BIG baby.

I can’t even remember how old I was when I discovered the comedic legend Lucille Ball. I Love Lucy has been of my favourite shows my entire life, so when we discovered we were having a girl, there was no debate on what we were going to name her. June and Pauline were my two grandmothers, both of whom have passed away.

The comedic namesake's humour has passed over to my daughter. She has the feisty determination, and stubbornness of her mother, appreciation for music like her father, and her own sense of humour is already coming into its own.

I want to thank you all for the warm welcome back! I also want to say how deeply I appreciate all of your patience with me while I was pregnant. Pregnancy certainly is not easy, so your encouragement, compassion and support for those months mean more to me than you can understand.

When I came into the business office on Tuesday, I felt like I was coming home. Like any proud Momma, I've attached some pictures below.

Thank you all again so much!

xoxo
Janelle

Running away from mom - Almost 1 year.

Sunkissed - 10 months

Pout! Pout! Pout! - 10 months

Already a lady, as she clutches a friend's purse. - 9 1/2 months.

Pink tutu! - 6 months

Doing yoga with mommy - 7 months.

Hope Mission Royalty

2009-07-31T09:44:00.001-07:00

On Monday we were graced by receiving, as Lindy put it, “some Hope Mission royalty.” That is, the children of Hope Mission’s founders, the Edwardsons.

Left to right (In front of Edwardson Place): Ross Edwardson and his wife Delores, from Whiterock, BC., Dagmar (Edwardson) Cunningham, from Edmonton, and Rev. Paul Edwardson from Redding California.

Above: The staff and families of 1930’s-era Hope Mission. Front row: Paul, Ross and Ray, or Ray and Ross (twins) and behind Ross (or Ray) is Dagmar. Hillie Edwardson is behind Paul and Harold is at the back--left.

As I was touring them around Paul told the story of the time the author of “The Old Rugged Cross,” George Bernard, stayed with them. They were driving to the original store-front Mission with a large pot of soup. That was before they got the CNR rooming house, so late 1929 or early 1930. Those days Hillie made soup at home and transported it to the Mission. Anyway, they hit a hole and the pot tipped and the soup spilled all over the inside of the car. George Bernard eventually got to speak, perhaps sing, but it was a hungrier night than most. There’s a moral in there some where.

You should know that Dagmar, Paul and Ross, hold the Mission very close to their hearts, and pray for us and this ministry always. Hope Mission is obviously still in their veins. They grew up in its sights, sounds and smells--grew up stepping over men bunked out in their hallways as they were on their way to school.

I’m glad some of you got to meet them. I’m hoping we can get them back here for the opening of the Immigration Hall. Either way, they send you their love and prayers.

Belgrade to Edmonton--a reclamation journey

2009-07-06T05:40:00.001-07:00

Belgrade to Edmonton--a reclamation journey

Shared via AddThis

Ryan McCormick in Denver

2009-07-03T08:21:00.000-07:00

If you've read '953 Post'...you'll want to read Ryan's complete article on the AGRM conference in Denver. And here it is:

I was recently given the opportunity, along with three of my Hope Mission co-workers (Mark Domning, Lindy Dowhaniuk, & Anthony Sterr), to attend an AGRM conference in Denver, Colorado. AGRM is the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions, an umbrella organization of which Hope Mission is a member. AGRM affiliated Missions operate all over the U.S. and Canada, and on any given night one fifth of people staying in a shelter are in an AGRM member shelter.

Simply learning about Hope Mission’s affiliation with AGRM was a learning experience for me. A lot of our practices and philosophy have come out of our contact with AGRM and I was surprised to see how much of who we are is a result of this contact. It gave our Mission, and the ‘Rescue Mission’ in general a bit of historical context for me. Like us, many others were started during the Great Depression to meet the specific need of the time. Some are even older though; the oldest Mission represented was the New York mission which has been operating for 127 years. It was encouraging and occasionally a bit curious to interact with so many people who have had a long history in this very specific field of work.

Rescue Missions have filled a crucial role not just in dealing with homelessness, but also in standing as the Church’s representative in this field. Rescue Missions have taken as their primary objective serving the poor and reaching out to them with the gospel. This has had some interesting social implications. One of the sessions I attended was titled “The 100 years war: how Liberalism & Fundamentalism’s fight has hurt the poor”. Being of a somewhat political nature myself, I was interested to hear the instructor’s take, which was very insightful. But the insight he had regarding the Rescue Mission’s place in it all was what most stood out to me. He gave the analogy of Liberalism and Fundamentalism for the last 100 years being entrenched in 1st world war style warfare- trench warfare. And as they camp out in the trenches and fire occasional grenades at each other, in the middle- in no man’s land- stands the Rescue Mission. It is on neither side. Both sides respect it and yet distrust it, but for different reasons. The Liberals like it because it’s helping the poor and working for good humanist causes, but they distrust it because these Rescue Missions can’t seem to resist trying to save people’s souls! They’re so overt in sharing the gospel and preaching personal salvation that the Liberals are often bothered by it. On the Fundamentalist side, the Rescue Mission is seen as good, because they boldly proclaim the Gospel to lost sinners, but often a healthy distance is kept between the upstanding uptown church and the dirty downtown mission. Money yes, and an hour serving soup at Christmas, but rarely is there a desire in the churches to get mixed up in such seemingly Liberal causes, especially with such ‘unsavory’ people.

I found myself comforted by this analogy and yet I could see myself in both sides. We of the Rescue Mission occupy a peculiar territory on society’s map. Maybe that’s why we attract so many ‘interesting’ people on our staff (c’mon, you know it’s true!) It takes a particular brand of person to want to get involved and get messy in dealing with real people, and still want to hold true to belief in a God who created them in His image and desires wholeness and holiness for them. I have found myself often wavering on both sides of this coin, and if you’re like me I’m sure you’ve felt this tension that accompanies work with the homeless. I would assert that this is a good and necessary thing. We must always seek the balance between grace and justice (as one co-worker here explains it), and a balance is always harder to maintain than an extreme.

This tension between what the instructor called “Liberalism” and “Fundamentalism” is seen even within the AGRM as it strives to move forwards in relevancy, while not letting go of its historical roots. And I have personally felt this tension even within our own Mission, as a couple hundred very different staff members try to figure out what life and ‘ministry’ (or service) means to each of them (we found this even among the four of us on the trip!). This can sometimes lead us to despair that we’ll even be able to work together, but I found comfort in the instructor’s conclusion. He stated that regardless of your thoughts on what the end of the world will look like, what we are all looking for is the Kingdom to come. Whether you think that we’ll bring it about by our own progress or that it will be ushered in as Jesus returns and establishes His Rule over all, the Kingdom of God is, I believe, what we are all looking for. We are all looking forward to a world in which people don’t stab each other in alleyways, or choose crack to fill their spiritual longing. A world in which kids don’t have to worry about hiding signs of abuse and women don’t have to choose between the abusive relationship or the street. We are driven by the belief (some of us only subconsciously) that another world is possible and that it looks much like what Jesus described when he spoke so often about the Kingdom. This world looks like a big banquet to which everyone is invited, where the poor are lifted to honored positions, and where God’s light floods even into the darkest alleys, inviting people to come and join in.

Now, before I wade too deep into theological waters without my water wings, I better get back to my main point. For all of us working here at Hope Mission, whether it’s for 2 months or 20 years, as long as we’re here we get to join in and be a part of this world; working side by side with people who are probably very different than us. I know that there are some things that cannot or should not be overlooked, and we may have to deal with those, but otherwise, for as long as we happen to be stuck with each other it is our privilege to serve together. I am thankful to have had this time and experience, and am especially thankful that I got to know three of my co-workers better. Even amongst our little group there were a large variety of experiences and beliefs, but I think that makes us better. As I came back I was even more excited to serve alongside them, seeking change and bringing hope to Edmonton’s inner city.

Ryan McCormick

Panhandling

2009-06-24T09:52:00.000-07:00

Here's a recent news item regarding our city council's deliberation over aggressive panhandling.

Question: Should Hope Mission have a "stance" on panhandling in general?

Joseph McLaughlin - Vibrant Earth

2009-06-22T06:59:00.001-07:00

You can't transcribe a flower. Instead, a flower inscribes itself within until you feel its cool corona against your arm, smell its perfume, and sense its joy. A flower--bud, bowl and blossom--is its own reason... These were things that registered as I stood viewing Joseph McLaughlin's oil paintings.

A dozen years ago Joseph's house burned down. In his new place, surrounded by bone-white walls, he sat with the question about how--on paper-thin resources--to bring the comfort of colour and light, and the feel of home to a house. His answer was to paint a single flower on a large canvass and hang it on in his living-room wall. That was the beginning.

Today, with that original canvass having profusely flowered to its edges, and his home now filled with completed paintings, Joseph is holding his first exhibition. An exhibition he needed to be arm-twisted into participating in, owing to the strong attachment he has with his paintings.

There is joy in these paintings. There's a kind of spontaneous celebration that attends all of his works. I asked him about this and he told me he usually only paints when he's in a good mood.

It shows. And for Joseph, it works. His echoing greens, his blues of twilight, the way he generously spends colour reminds me of William Blake's sighting of "...a heaven in a wild flower."

The exhibition which includes paintings by Darlene Adams is entitled Vibrant Earth, and is at the TU Gallery. It runs from June 20 to July 4.

(Joseph has worked for Hope Mission for a number of years. His current position has him looking after part of the Breakout recovery community program.)

Technorati Tags: Joseph McLaughlin,Vibrant Earth,Oil painting,TU Gallery

Addict turns life around

2009-06-15T08:41:00.000-07:00

...Thanks to Hope Mission.

Check out the story here. And view the corresponding video here.

City TV - Hope Mission's 80 Anniversary

2009-06-11T09:12:00.000-07:00

The Hope Mission is celebrating a landmark -- 80 years in operation. Amanda
Ferguson takes a look back at the mission's humble beginnings and its
promising future.

City TV link here...

Rapid Exit on CityTV

2009-06-09T09:01:00.000-07:00

Here's a link to an excellent City TV spot on Hope Mission's Rapid Exit program.

Sympathy and prayer

2009-06-02T09:08:00.000-07:00

From all of us at Hope Mission, deep sympathy and prayers for Denis and Theresa and the Meier family at the passing of Denis' father.

Funeral for Adrian Meier will be held on June 4th at 11:00 AM.

Drayton Valley Catholic Church
4708-50 avenue
Drayton Valley

Canadian Tire cents add up for Hope Mission campgoers - Edmonton Examiner - Alberta, CA##

2009-05-28T15:49:00.000-07:00

Here's a story worth checking out.

Canadian Tire cents add up for Hope Mission campgoers - Edmonton Examiner - Alberta, CA##

Ministry Van up in lights

2009-05-25T08:52:00.000-07:00

This just in from Trudy Madge.

I think it's kind of exciting. A couple of days ago an independant movie
producer contacted Ed Madge about the possibility of using the Ministry Van in a
scene for a movie that he is shooting. With Denis Meier's blessing he agreed
that we would have the van on location (they were shooting in a cul-de-sac
on 124 st) for 8:00 AM Sunday May 24.
Jon MacAskill, who is one of the van drivers, agreed to deliver the van. When he got there he was asked if he would like to be in the scene, and got a bit part as one of the police officers attending to the scene of a bank robbery. Although he did not have any dialogue he did get to showcase his talent in a dramatic dying sequence.

So it seems that both Jon and the Ministry Van will get their 15 minutes of
fame.

We will be following this celebrity trail. (Will the movie be a hit? Is Jon bound for stardom? Will Ed and Trudy make a cameo appearacne?)

Pour moi, I just hope that in the final edits, Hope Mission's logo will be detectable.

For more pictures check out Trudy's Facebook album. Thanks Trudy.

Hope Mission - active hope

2009-04-27T09:22:00.001-07:00

Published in Saturday's Edmonton Journal... Hope Mission's 80th Anniversary celebration.

Special thank you to all supporters, those who were able to attend and those present in spirit.

Edmonton Journal Online

Technorati Tags: Hope Mission,Hope Mission 80th Anniversary,Premier Ed Stelmach,Yvonne Fritz,Breakout,Wellspring,Harold and Hillie Edwardson,Bruce Reith

Hope Mission's 80 Anniversary Gala

2009-04-24T10:01:00.001-07:00

A gala it was. The Premier, the Housing Minister, handshakes all-round, the best food prepared by Lindy and people, served by the most courteous, helpful and effervescent staff and volunteers in the city...and the speeches, congratulatory effusions--in the good sense of that term--besides, after 80 years a bit ebullience is in order. And Premier Stelmach saying things like, “Tonight I’ve had the honour of witnessing faith in action.”

Then there was Ed Viso in top hat and cane, and Chaplain Alan in razor-white suit that almost flowed, seraphim-like. Who else would you get to do the opening prayer? And then there was the art work by Edwin from Breakout--work that rivals Bateman and Kinkade--set in the foyer like a gemstone.

And a tip of Ed's top hat to all the setup and takedown people from east-Tegler to west-Brightwood, also, on the administration side, tickets, seating, etc., cheers to Ting, Jennie, Tara, Annette, et al, who saw to it that our biggest banquet yet went off swimmingly.

Of course the nucleus of the night was the graduation of over 50 men and women from Breakout and Wellspring. The stories from Ryan, Tanya, Paul, Chris, and James had most everyone welling up--and then cheering. A pause here to remember that it's here, in the eyes and hearts of all those on stage that night, that makes everything we do worth it. (Salute to Edie and Marybelle at the Bargain Shoppe for acquiring all the suits for the guys; you had them all looking like men-from-Milan.)

But first-place for the best line of the night goes to our own Bruce Reith. In responding to the Alberta Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs, Yvonne Fritz, and her reiteration a of the 10-year plan and the billion dollar injection to eradicate homelessness, said, "I hope you've left something over for Calgary."

Thank you, really, everybody deserves a bouquet!

(Watch for a feature article by yours truly in Saturday's Edm Journal - Religion Page)

Technorati Tags: Hope Mission 80th Anniversary,Premier Ed Stelmach,Minister Yvonne Fritz,Breakout,Wellspring

Premier honours Ron Hystad

2009-04-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

Premier Ed Stelmach honoured retiring Hope Mission Board Chairman Rod Hystad at the Mission's 80th Anniversary gala last night.

For Premier Stelmach's entire speech and more photos check here.

700 people enjoy Easter Dinner

2009-04-15T13:52:00.000-07:00

From ctv edmonton.ca

More than 700 people enjoyed a hot Easter dinner Friday afternoon. Something they normally would have gone without.

Line ups formed around the Hope Mission earlier in the afternoon. Inner city residents were treated to a full meal consisting of turkey, dressing and dessert. It's something those enjoying the meal are very grateful for.

"If I had the chance to say [thank you] to all of them," said Todd Kaskamin. "I would shake their hand and say thank you very much brothers."
More than 50 volunteers, including some children, took turns serving the meal. For volunteers, it was nice to give back to the community.

"Me giving my time," said Colin Egeto, who was volunteering. "For just a couple of hours a day to make hundreds of people happy is just awesome."
For Shirley Voyechko, a hot meal is very much appreciated.

"I'm grateful for all of them here," said Voyechko. "And the food they give us."

The shelter offered two dinner sittings.

With files from Scott Roberts

Prayers for the Madge family

2009-04-08T10:49:00.000-07:00

Our prayers and sympathies go out to Ed and Trudy Madge and family, at the passing of Ed's mother.

From all the staff and volunteers, may you be comforted during this time of deep grief.