Hope Mission Connection

Hope Mission Blog

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 19:31:00 +0000

All blog posts are now at http://www.hopemission.com/ under "News".

Thanks for supporting Hope Mission!

Note from a Hope Mission guest

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:38:00 +0000

We've been quiet for a while, which will change as we come closer to launching our new website. But in the mean time here's a note, from one of our shelter guests, that pretty well begs to be shared:

To all the staff that continue to show dignity and respect to those who come through our doors, kudos and blessings!

Housing First

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 18:09:00 +0000

Jasper Place Health and Wellness Centre, Boyle Street Co-op, Mustard Seed, and Hope Mission with it's Rapid Exit program, have all adopted Housing First as part of a holistic approach to end homelessness. This video is a fine overview of Housing First and it's successes.

Art for the Heart of Edmonton review

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Tue, 25 May 2010 23:24:00 +0000

On Saturday, May 22, art from the hearts of more than a dozen artists turned Hope Mission's Immigration Hall into an international gallery—as galleries go, a kind of Metropolitan, Tate, and Uffizi montage. (Yeah, I looked up Uffizi)

If you missed the event, you missed out. A wide swath of styles? Quite so. Art with an exceptional range of emotion? You bet! Pieces with layered and limpid insight? Oh yes.

Thank you “Art Heart” artists, for supporting Hope Mission. And thank you to everyone who came by the busy and beautiful gallery.

View Full Album

Check out some of the participating artists:

Darlene Adams

Becky Dimmock

Levi Dunford

Saeed Hojjati

Joseph Mclaughlin

Chris Riley

Jared Robinson

Emilia Thomas (Photography)

Edwin Tuts

Edin Viso (International Art Collection)

Artists to Raise Money for Hope Mission

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Fri, 21 May 2010 04:17:00 +0000

For immediate release

Edmonton – May 22, 2010, 10 AM - 6 PM, Hope Mission's Immigration Hall, 10534 100th St. A Group of 12 Artists are Holding an Art Show and Sale,—Art for the Heart of Edmonton—to Create “Art” Awareness and to Raise Money for Hope Mission.

Art for the Heart of Edmonton is an art show and sale conceived, in part, by Edwin Tuts, an artist who graduated from Hope Mission’s recovery program a year ago, and is now back painting.

In 2000 Edwin Tuts sold a painting for $26,000. In 2006 he was selling similar pieces for $100 each—to fuel a drug habit. Today, says Tuts, "Every brush stroke that I do, every painting that I do, I try to create for God. I try to be an open channel for God."

Tuts’ life and his gift have been restored. The emotion now reflected in his paintings shows a mature delight and an intimate and renewed reverence of the beauty of creation.

Edwin Tuts has donated prints to numerous charities. Now, with his desire to contribute to the ministry of Hope Mission and his passion for seeing artists help one another, Tuts, with a group of a dozen other artists, is hoping to offer visual inspiration to the city, and at the same time, help address homelessness and addictions.

Hope Mission is a Christian non-profit organization that has served and cared for people in need, in Edmonton, since 1929.

-30-

Edwin Tuts – Art for the Heart

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Wed, 19 May 2010 15:57:00 +0000

In 2000 Edwin Tuts sold a painting for $26,000. In 2006 he was selling similar pieces for $100 each—to fuel a drug habit.

Today, says Tuts, "Every brush stroke that I do, every painting that I do, I try to create for God. I try to be an open channel for God."

At five years old, Edwin Tuts knew he was an artist. "My mother was an artist and I loved watching her paint," he recalls.

He smiles, "One time, I went into her studio and dipped my finger into some paint and traced it across one of her paintings -- oh no, I'm thinking, now I have to fix it! I worked the colours into the background of the painting—my mother didn't notice!"

Tuts was soon simulating and expanding on his mother's own elegant brush strokes. In school he drew portraits and intricate cartoons and sold them to other students. He laughs, "I had a lot of money when I was a kid."

In 1992 Tuts moved to Edmonton, where he met and married, as he says, the love of his life. He began working as a graphic artist, creating and crafting signs for various companies.

He applied to Grant MacEwan College's fine arts program but was turned down because of his limited portfolio. "In fact," explains Tuts, "that was because I always sold most of what I painted and never took pictures. Some artists attach to their work; I'm someone who can easily release the paintings I do."

Tuts never received any formal training. Instead he made use of the local library, studying the great artists of the renaissance, including some modern works. He is inspired by many artists, but when things are coming together in front of the canvas, he says with a grin, "I like to think I'm in a kind of Da Vinci zone."

While he has experimented with different mediums and techniques, his true niche is wildlife and landscapes.

Tuts' ability to capture the exquisite grandeur and intricate beauty of a natural setting, his penetrating eye for detail and his quest for perfection lead to burgeoning success. By the late 1990s he had paintings in a number of galleries across Canada and the United States. His originals were being scooped up by collectors and his prints were selling for $1,400 each.

But success and the allurements of the self-made artist brought complications and distractions. His own metaphor for this time was that his focus became skewed.

"God is in and around you. You split a stick and you will find him, you turn a stone and he will be there. But I focused on the sticks and the stones."

Tuts could see what was happening but confides, "It was like I couldn't stop myself. I started using, my painting became stiff, nothing flowed. And I started pushing people away. I was losing my mind; I was losing my heart."

He would go backpacking in the mountains to reconnect with nature and to centre himself, but would come back to the same sabotaged relationships and the same self-loathing.

His life snarled up. He lost his wife and family, he began using drugs heavily, and with it, lost inspiration and despaired of the gift he had been given.

"Everything I touched turned to dust. I lived with a load of self-condemnation that I thought would never leave." Edwin comes to tears when he talks of the pain he caused his family and his parents.

Still, even in the darkest of those days, Tuts prayed and clung on to the possibility of God hearing him, the possibility of some kind of opening.

It came while talking to a friend who worked for Hope Mission. Tuts was ready. He needed to leave the basement he was living and working out of anyway, so he went to Hope Mission and joined its recovery community.

Months went by and Tuts saw himself progressing. Then his dad died, and he relapsed. But he had come a long way and he asked himself why he was going back -- and for what?

Tuts says, "I could feel my dad crying inside me; I knew what he'd want for me. So I continued in recovery. If God has a face, it's through my dad."

His life and his gift have been restored. The emotion now reflected in his paintings shows a mature delight and an intimate reverence of the beauty of creation. For Tuts, God's embrace through Christ is not merely integral to his art, it's what calls him and keeps him at his vocation.

He has donated prints to numerous charities. Now, with his desire to contribute to the ministry of Hope Mission and his passion for seeing artists help one another, Tuts, with a group of a dozen other artists, will be holding an art show and sale: Art for the Heart of Edmonton. The purpose of the show May 22nd is to create awareness and raise funds for artists and the Hope Mission.

"I see it as a circle; my paintings are gifts, they come to me through God, I let them go, and through others I give them back to God."

Thank you students and instructors of NAIT!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Thu, 06 May 2010 21:39:00 +0000

While it's been over a month since the graphic sign arts students from NAIT wrapped our van with a giant sticker--a gorgeous sticker that has made this utility vehicle the pride of our small fleet--we'll be taking pride in it for a long time to come.

Here, with Joshua, driver and model par excellence, is our van in all its practical glory.

Once again, from all of us at Hope Mission, thank you NAIT instructors and students! We just wanted you to know how grateful we are.

Hope Mission volunteers clean up city streets

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 19:06:00 +0000

It's important to note that the volunteers are from Hope Mission's Breakout Community.

Seeing God in Edmonton’s homeless people – Remembering Doug Green

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 15:38:00 +0000

Doug Green was my first “boss” at Hope Mission. He was a humorous, classy, and giant-hearted guy. Here’s a tribute: Edmonton Journal – Religion

Technorati Tags: Doug Green,Hope Mission

Growing Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:22:00 +0000

The writing of Growing Hope – The Story of Edmonton’s Hope Mission began about six years ago, sat relatively dormant on a computer file for four years, then it was taken out, dusted off, and over the course of last year, Hope Mission’s 80 Anniversary, it was completed.

For the most part, this book will hold interest primarily for those who have had some intimate contact or at least some association with Hope Mission.

Growing Hope is what it is, a custom published, humble little work; it was, nevertheless, something like a labour of love. It wasn't sponsored and I wasn't asked to write it, but somewhere along the way, because I fell in love with Hope Mission, and the mission to raise the broken poor to dignity, I felt constrained to put the stories down before they disappeared. These are the stories of people who also fell in love—then grew to love Hope Mission—through faith in a God of compassion.

Growing Hope’s tone, like the Mission itself, is a blend of evangelical witness and social compassion. Still, overall, it's a history book and so recalls the stories that brought Hope Mission through 80 years of service and ministry.

These are stories of the pioneers of Christian social care in Edmonton. Stories of Hope Mission's matriarchs and patriarchs, disciples and offspring, largely told in their language—told within the central view of Hope Mission, that a spiritual awakening through Jesus Christ is a requisite for holistic healing.

Technorati Tags: Growing Hope,Edmonton's Hope Mission

Hope Mission gets 7.3 Million for new housing units

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 16:29:00 +0000

Above: Stewart Young, resident of Hope Mission.

Below is the press release, and here's some news coverage... and here... and here.

Alberta has taken another step towards implementing its 10-year plan to end homelessness. The province is providing $7.3 million to the Hope Mission for the
construction of 52 permanent homes for the homeless in Edmonton.

“This is the first time that capital funding has been provided to support
permanent housing for the homeless in Edmonton, so today is a great day for
them,” said Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Yvonne Fritz. “I am pleased to
partner with the Hope Mission to support homes that will make a profound
difference in the lives of vulnerable Edmontonians.”

Budget ‘09 committed a total of $100 million for the creation of over 700
units in communities across the province. With lower than expected building
costs, the province now anticipates that more than 900 units will be added. An
additional $32 million was provided to help community-based agencies deliver
support services for those moving into the units. Services include treatment for
addictions and mental illness, life skills training, and help finding
employment.

“To be able to continue to address the plight of homelessness in our city,
in such a concrete and embracing manner, is exciting for all of us at Hope
Mission,” says Bruce Reith, Executive Director of the Hope Mission. “We truly
appreciate the ongoing commitment of the Alberta government towards housing for
homeless people. It’s an honour to be able to care for people in need in this
tangible way.”

The new facility, to be located at 106 Avenue and 107 Street, will be
developed using modular construction techniques so residents will be able to
move in sooner than in a traditional build.

The Hope Mission anticipates that the units will be complete and ready for
occupants by late spring. The agency’s Rapid Exit program will provide the
support services that assist these individuals in addressing their barriers to
permanent housing.

In March, Alberta became the first Canadian province to endorse a
provincial 10-year plan to end homelessness. Alberta’s 10-year plan to end
homelessness is based on a “Housing First” model that provides long-term housing
along with the health and social supports homeless people need to resolve
underlying issues and break the cycle of homelessness. For more information on A
Plan for Alberta: Ending Homelessness in 10 Years, please visit http://www.housing.alberta.ca/.

Maintaining support for the programs and services Albertans need most, such
as health care, education, and safe and vibrant communities, is an important
part of The Way Forward – Alberta’s plan for economic recovery. For more
information on this plan visit http://www.alberta.ca/.

Ministry Van Santa

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 17:02:00 +0000

This in from Trudy Madge:

On Christmas Eve the Hope Mission Ministry Van was driven by none other than Santa Claus himself! (A.K.A. Ed Madge) It was heartwarming to see the clients faces light up when Santa stepped out of the van. As well as our usual food and clothing items we had little gift packages of soaps, lotions, gloves etc for each client. I have included some pictures.

Have a very Happy New Year, Ed and Trudy

Tanya's story on CTV

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:04:00 +0000

CTV: A woman's story of hope after years of struggling to get off the streets (Tanya McDonald). (No direct link, find feed under CTV Video Player)

I hear cheering from volunteers and staff at Hope Mission!

From the high life to the street life

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:26:00 +0000

From the high life to the street life ...mostly about the ravages of street life and the significantly decreased life expectancy of street people--nevertheless, a good expose' on a former Breakout graduate--now staff member, as well as a bit of Immigration Hall coverage, and some wisdom from Denis Meier.

Thanks See Magazine

John Paul School beautifully doing their part.

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:17:00 +0000

Good evening Hope Mission,

My husband Michal just gave a donation on line tonight Dec 17th. I just wanted to give you some background. I am a grade 6 teacher at John Paul II School in Stony Plain. During a social lesson my students asked me how I give back to the community and I told them about how my family donates to you. They wanted to help out. Each child brought in $2.70 from their own allowance with a goal of providing 24 meals. They surpassed their goal and brought in enough to feed 69 people. My family added to this, making it over 100 people. My students were thrilled by their accomplishment and are very excited that more people will have a Christmas meal.

I just wanted you to know that my students realized that little things can make a huge impact on the lives of others. I thought you would like to hear our story.

Keeping with the true meaning of Christmas,

Tara P.

Edmonton's Hope Mission braves the cold to help the homeless

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 21:29:00 +0000

Edmonton's Hope Mission braves the cold to help the homeless

Full story here

Herb Jamieson Centre by Kizzy

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:38:00 +0000

Experience the Herb Jamieson Centre through the eyes and amazingly creative hands of Kizzy Gerioux, former employee of Hope Mission, and daughter of our own Violet Ferguson.

Thank you Kizzy!

Hope Mission Christmas Catalogue 2009!

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:16:00 +0000

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

Held Upon the Earth

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 22:39:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:33:00 +0000

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

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

Immigration Hall Opens

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:49:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:48:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:47:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Unknown) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:30:00 +0000

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

noreply@blogger.com (Stephen Berg) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:22:00 +0000

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.