Siloam evolves to meet needs of those it serves

Charleswood

Siloam Mission has been providing meals, clothing, and hope to the homeless since it opened its doors in Winnipeg in 1987.

On Dec. 1, Darren Nodrick, director of development at Siloam, told the story of the mission to the Charleswood Historical Society. Over the past 30 plus years, Siloam has evolved from a shelter to a charitable organization that provides programs, services and life skills. It has diversified to meet needs as they arise, including the provision of transitional services and supportive housing. Siloam is also addressing the massive housing deficit by providing social housing to accommodate seniors, in particular.

Nodrick said there are close to 5,000 people experiencing homelessness in Winnipeg right now – double what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. That number doesn’t include the hidden homeless, such as couch surfers and those living in encampments, he said.

Trauma is the root cause of homelessness, Nodrick said. Addiction is a major issue but it’s more of a symptom than a cause. Today, a lot of seniors are being priced “out of their lives” because housing costs have gone up. Many have finite income and their lives can sometimes come down to a choice between paying rent and buying groceries.

Siloam’s drop-in program exists mainly to provide meals to those who need them.

“Hope begins there,” Nodrick said. “We serve 500,000 meals a year. There are 143 beds in the shelter, which we can stretch to 147, if necessary.”

In summer, the shelter is usually about 80 per cent full but there can be a shortage of beds in winter, so Siloam collaborates with other shelters if it runs out if space. Other services Siloam provides include laundry and showers. Siloam has also opened an overnight pop-up which provides meals and cots for the night. In addition to beds and meals, Siloam provides 17,000 items of clothing annually to those in need. To meet the need, volunteers put 41,000 hours into kitchen duties and sorting clothing. More than 1,000 volunteers and 200 volunteer groups give of their time.

Siloam has a fully equipped health-care centre staffed by doctors, nurses, dentists, optometrists and podiatrists – all of whom donate their time. The centre also provides opioid and meth programs, and its transitional services can help with housing and even such basics as obtaining identification. Still in the works is a 32-bed medical transition unit within the clinic.

There is also a spiritual centre and an arts centre, which provide an emotional outlet and some artists participants sell their art for income. Others may do handyman work at the social housing units and gain work experience.

The goal of all programs and services is to help homeless people find long-term housing, Nodrick said.

“We have 200 social housing units and are working on adding to that number,” he added.

Doing right by people makes economic sense, Nodrick states, adding it costs $20,000 more per person to live in a shelter (taking into account the costs of first responders such as the ambulance service, fire and paramedic service or the police service). “Housing-first is the only answer. That means affordable or deeply affordable housing with the necessary supports.”

Siloam Mission’s core programs are 80 per cent donor funded. To donate to Siloam or to find out more about how you can help, visit siloam.ca