Author Archive:

A Christmas Dinner trimmed with Hope

by NightShift

A hot turkey dinner with all the fixings was served to more than 160 friends in the neighbourhood at NightShift Street Ministries on Sunday, Dec. 15.  With live Christmas music, gifts, treats and Christmas trees, NightShift's Education Room overflowed with the peace, joy and love of the Christmas season. But the best trimming for NightShift's…

15 years of love, hope and purpose

by NightShift

For 15 years, people like you have come to NightShift to create a community of love, hope and purpose for people in need on the streets in our communities. That is worthy of celebration! And celebrate we did in NightShift's ourtreach lot on Sunday, September 15. It was our dream-party, bringing together NightShift volunteers, donors,…

The journey to finding freedom

by NightShift

The journey to finding freedom Laureen (Reenie) Fox knew she wanted to help other people. As someone who had volunteered in the past she wanted to get back to serving others. So Reenie enthusiastically signed up for a recovery program helping folks find freedom from addictions and complex trauma, called RE:ACT. She believed she could…

Hope + Ham for Easter Dinner

by NightShift

NightShift's Easter Celebration Meal was absolutely wonderful! Because of the generosity of our sponsors, and people like you, about 130 friends from the neighbourhood, stuggling with poverty and homelessness, enjoyed a delicious ham dinner with all the fixings, and a special Easter treat bag that included a Bible, chocolate treats and more. Together with wonderful…

The other side of the mountain

by NightShift

George is one of our regulars. Most nights we see him at our outreach meal, helping volunteers, joining new faces for dinner and carrying on conversations with the friends he’s made over the years at NightShift. Born and raised in Fiji, George came to Canada when he was 16 and completed high school here. After…

Love Starts with Soup

by NightShift

For most people, the holidays mean spending time with loved ones. Christmas time highlights family gatherings, the blessings of being together, and sharing unconditional love. For Richard, thoughts of family gatherings and feasting over the Christmas table bring up memories of his Mom, who passed away in 2005. She was, he says, "a saint, my…

Peace Starts with Soup

by NightShift

For people struggling with homelessness and poverty, finding peace and goodwill, even at Christmas time, can sometimes seem impossible. The last few years, Mark has had a lot to deal with. He was let go from his job as a point-of-sales system supervisor, without cause, in 2015. Although he doesn’t know for sure, Mark suspects…

Serving up our thanks to First West Foundation

by NightShift

Pictured, Kenneth D’Sena (Envision Financial), Susan Byrom (Executive Director, First West Foundation), Jeff Dyck (Director, First West Foundation), MaryAnne Connor (NightShift Street Ministries), Michael Voros (Envision Financial), Sue-Lynda Bate (First West Foundation). When you’re serving a community meal every night, year after year, your mobile kitchen is going to take a toll no matter how…

Beauty from ashes

by NightShift

Sometimes, beauty grows from the ashes of pain and tragedy. Breathtaking, inspiring beauty like that found in Bonnie, a woman who has become a friend to staff and volunteers at NightShift Street Ministries. Finding light in the darkness that once surrounded her life, Bonnie wants to connect with other people who are struggling with some…

Free Night Market brings joy

by NightShift

You know the excited feeling that comes from finding a piece of clothing that fits just right, comes in a colour you love, and is exactly what you need? The icing on the cake, of course, is if the price is right. You just grab that item and run for the check out, heart pounding…