Mission Services is a Christian, non-profit, charitable organization serving men, women and children in the greater Hamilton area, in response to basic human needs and supporting them in reaching their potential, thereby fulfilling God's call to act justly, show mercy and offer hope.
History of Mission Services
Originally started in 1956 (as Harbour Rescue Mission), Mission Services of Hamilton Inc. was a benevolent response to meet the needs of homeless, transient men, including those struggling with alcoholism. Initially, with the help of volunteers from area churches, the founder was able to establish a modest men’s outreach on James St. North, which provided safe shelter, hot meals and friendship and other supports to homeless and alcoholic men.
As the organization grew, it became apparent that a more comprehensive scope of services was needed to "break the cycle" of homelessness, poverty and other problems that are relentlessly intertwined in the lives of disadvantaged people. As well, motivated by its core values and beliefs, the organization could not ignore the intrinsic worth and dignity of all peoples and, therefore, expanded services to include entire families, women and children who were affected by poverty, abuse and homelessness. These services focused not only on crisis response and intervention but also on helping people realize their potential. Currently, Mission Services fulfills its vision to "keep hope alive" through the following programs & services:
Women’s Services: Inasmuch House shelter for homeless & abused women & children, LEAF child witness groups, transitional support
Men’s Services: Men’s Residence shelter for homeless men, Financial Trusteeship & Personal Management
Addiction Services: Suntrac Community Addiction Treatment Centre, Discovery House stabilization program, Jamesville2/Transitional Housing
Employment & Training Services: Marty Karl Centre for skills training & employment support services, Assistant Cook Apprenticeship Program
Community & Family Services for at risk families and children including: after school clubs, True North summer camp, Emergency Food Assistance, Christmas Care
However, the work is not finished. Our vision is to continue to respond to urgent and basic needs. For as long as there are people who need community support, someone to address the problems of homelessness and poverty, Mission Services will endeavour to be there to model and initiate hope and creativity in the face of these circumstances. To this end, we are humbled and honoured to be recognized as supporting the following goals of Vision 2020:
Local Economy
To eliminate all types of barriers to employment.
Personal Health and Well-Being
To develop a caring community that gives support and opportunity to all its members.
To reduce the number of families living in poverty.
Safety and Security
To prevent violence and abuse in our community.
Community Well-Being and Capacity Building
To enable participation by all citizens and communities in government decisions and in the development of cultural, educational, and health and social services.
To build and develop the capacity of individuals, community organizations, the private and non-profit sectors to be self-reliant.
Women’s Services
•Inasmuch House-an emergency shelter for women and children in crisis
•LEAF-Learning Effective Anti-Violence in Families-child witness groups
•Transitional Housing Support-counselling and support for women living out in the community
Men's Services
•Men’s Residence-a 24 hour emergency crisis shelter for men
•Jamesville 2-our hot meal dining room, community meeting space
•Trusteeship-financial management for those struggling with barriers, disabilities and poverty
Community & Family Services
•After School Clubs-KEEPs-Kids Educational Enrichment Program, Creative Cooking Club-helping children learn their full potential through discovery and fun
•Emergency Food Assistance-provides emergency food to families and individuals in need
•True North Kids Camp-(day/overnight) designed for children ages 6-12
•Christmas Care-hampers, new toys and grocery vouchers for individuals and families in need
Addiction Services
•Suntrac Community Addictions Treatment Centre-day/evening treatment for men struggling with drug and alcohol addiction
•Discovery House-offers stability, pre-treatment program and assists men in their return to the community
•Jamesville2/Transitional Support Housing-on-site and off-site rental apartments and the necessary support for men as they integrate themselves back into the community.
Employment & Training Services
•Marty Karl Centre-employment development services for adults with barriers to employment, including disabilities and employment placement for job skills training
•Human Services Training Centre (HSTC)-training MKC participants, Mission Services staff and public
•LEAPS–Learning for Employment and Personal Success-seminars to develop employment and personal success attitudes and aptitudes
•Assistant Cook Apprenticeship-an accredited Assistant Cook Apprenticeship Program (equivalent of first year at George Brown or Niagara College)
•Hamilton Employment & Training Centre, Inc (HEAT)-a dedicated employer partner of Marty Karl Centre providing both employment and training placements in 3 dept:
→HEAT Catering Xpress-provides quality catering and food services; contracts in community and at Men’s Services branch of Mission Services
→HEAT ‘A Shine Above’ Janitorial Services-provides quality janitorial services through one-time sales for carpet & floor cleaning and through commercial contracts including churches, offices, etc.
→HEAT Staffing Partnerships-arranged by Marty Karl Centre with other community employers
Our Achievements *
Men’s Services
- 93% occupancy rate
- 100,000 meals and snacks served
- 19,598 nights of shelter
- 1,033 individuals helped
- 300 Trusteeship clients served
Women’s Services-Inasmuch House
- 83% occupancy rate
- 432 women & children found safe refuge
- 9,428 hours of counselling
- 44,760 meals and snacks served
Community & Family Services
- Emergency Food Assistance to 7,880 households consisting of 10,867 children & 10,990 adults
- Christmas Care given to 620 families including 981 children
- 267 children attended True North Programs
Addiction Treatment Services
- Suntrac Community Addiction Treatment Centre assisted 210 individuals
- Residential Addictions Treatment Centre (new) anticipates serving 229 individuals this coming year
Employment & Training Services-Marty Karl Centre
- 70 beneficiaries in Janitorial & Food Services Programs
- 7 beneficiaries in Apprenticeship Cook Program
Chaplaincy Services
- Provided service to all programs
Total Programs & Services: Over 175!
* for fiscal year 2006-2007
Contact Information:
Mission Services of Hamilton, Inc.
P.O. Box 368
293 Wellington Street North
Hamilton, ON L8L 7W2
Phone: 905-528-4211
Fax: 905-521-0251
www.mission-services.com
Edward Raddatz
Executive Director
Telephone:905-528-4211
Fax:905-521-0251
Email:admin@mission-services.com
Barry Coe
Director of Community Relations and Resource Development
Telephone: 905-528-4211 ext. 130
Email:bcoe@mission-services.com