Union Gospel Mission returning to Steinbach area for spring supper

Winnipeg’s Union Gospel Mission is returning to the Hanover area to hold its annual spring supper.

“So, we continue to want to grow our presence in the Steinbach area and the symbiotic relationship we have with churches, etc. I noticed that you may be aware of (Matthew Frank’s) article there about the homelessness within Steinbach itself…We certainly also know there’s a big need for transitional housing (in the area) and (that there is) homelessness,” said Martin Chidwick, development manager with Union Gospel Mission (UGM).

“I dealt with two people this morning from the streets who are homeless. Well, that’s a constant knocking on our door here in Winnipeg.”

Last year’s supper was so successful that it filled its venue at Mennonite Heritage Village. This year, to allow for those who came last year and the extra 100-plus that are expected to top this year’s event, organizers have decided to hold the supper at New Bothwell’s Sommerfeld Mennonite Church, which is located a quarter of a mile north of junction Highway 52 and PR 216 (drive way 36046).

UGM has men’s and women’s substance abuse recovery programs, a soup kitchen for the homeless, a children’s ministry, a school, holds summer camps for about 1,300 children every year, and gives emergency food hampers.

Every year, the church serves up to 100,000 meals and has up to 26 men and up to 40 women at a time in recovery, and between 300 to 400 people using its programming. Its drop-in centre has between 100 to 150 people come through its doors within a two-hour time span where they socialize, get food, and clothing.

Chidwick said he has seen there are issues with homelessness and addictions here in the Steinbach area and he understands what the homeless and addicted are going through.

“We feel that these days we’ve built a closer relationship with Steinbach and the area of Steinbach. But the drug addiction and the homelessness, you’re getting more and more of it on your own doorsteps in Steinbach,” he said.

“And we believe that we have a sort of symbiotic relationship with the churches and with the outlying rural areas where this is becoming a problem, or has become more of a problem. So, how do we work together? How do we pool our resources for the best results, et cetera, those kind of things too.”

Chidwick said UGM helps addicts move on after a few months, while some stay for a few years depending on their needs.

“But the bottom line is they need a home. And I noticed that in the article Matthew (Frank) wrote, they’re talking about recognizing in the transitional housing, having someone living on the premises to help people along because it’s not that easy.

“And a lot of people are afraid or they’re not used to having family around them. So, when they’re in our program, they develop a family. But if we keep everybody here permanently, then we won’t have any room for anybody else wanting to recover from addiction.”

Chidwick said there might be “transient people” coming back and forth between Steinbach and Winnipeg. The articles he’s read in The Carillon regarding The INN, a low barrier transitional shelter that has applied and is continuing to apply to the city for a permit to build a $2 million transitional housing unit on Main Street, shows him a reticence in the community to allow such a shelter to exist.

“But Matthew (Frank) writes about with regard to, ‘Yeah, I think it’s a great idea, but not in my backyard,’ kind of thing. And so how does that look? And, you know, is there anything we can – we as a mission that’s 92 years old – are we able to offer any sort of expertise, advice? Or is there something more than that? It’s just a growing thing.”

Chidwick said he is not judging people and he can understand there might be some reluctance to accept a homeless shelter that also deals with addiction in the community, but he points to the UGM’s I Had No Idea tours. These tours take people around the organization’s four buildings and seven ministries to introduce them to the people they are helping.

“And basically, I think from the experience of people, when you meet folks who have needs, I mean, they’re usually beautiful people,” he said.

“They’ve had some trauma in their life, but they’re not out there to do any nefarious deeds or whatever else. I mean, yes, sometimes when they’re on drugs and high and psychotic, there may be some incidents. But in terms of transitioning into a housing, one would have hoped that they’d be through the detox.”

Chidwick noted a lot of these addicts and homeless people that have been helped by UGM are so grateful for the help they have received that they want to give back.

“So, I think it’s more of an educational factor than people being afraid of them being in the area. You know, they’re just like you or I. I mean, they just slipped up. Life got tough for them. They chose an alternative to try and forget the stuff that they’ve been through and, of course, it wasn’t a very good one. They end up being slaves to addiction, for example.”

Chidwick said it’s all about loving one another and serving one another. He said Steinbach has a “great, great heart,” which was shown by the 14 churches that signed a letter to city councillors of being in favour of a homeless shelter with some offering to fund the project.

Chidwick also shared that the homeless and addicted are not anonymous and once people realize that and that they’re made in the image of Christ, then Steinbachers will be more open to helping them. He said there are many who work for their sobriety and are willing to turn their backs to the past in order to move forward.

“So, for example, a guy on the weekend was at my church at the men’s breakfast on Saturday, and he shared his testimony and said, ‘You know, I’m at a recovery program, and I see what I must have looked like before when I was on drugs and addiction, and I don’t want to go back to that. I don’t want people to go through that either because I know the torment of it. I know the grip it has on you.”

Chidwick did concede that addiction and recovery can be a revolving door for some and not for others. He said some people have been addicts for 20 or 30 years and their bodies have been ravaged by drugs. He said drugs such as meth and fentanyl can lead addicts who are homeless to feel as if they’re warm when it is cold outside and he has known people to lose their fingers, toes, and limbs due to frostbite.

“But they still want to go back to the addiction, and so that’s the power of the grip of addiction. So, it’s a huge problem, but by the same token, there’s a number of agencies here that are working tirelessly to try and help these folks to get off the addiction….Of course, we want to help them to defeat it because it’s a one-way ticket to nowhere,” he said.

“They’ve gone through addiction recovery. They’re desiring a new life. They’re desiring a start. They’re desiring a family. And so from that perspective, I don’t think that one needs to have any fear. And, of course, I’m sure there’ll be processes put in place,” he noted later.

For the spring supper, Chidwick said the free event is not a fundraiser, rather it is something, “as Christians, we just want to show folks what Jesus is busy doing here in the city and encourage them and see where it goes.”

Former addicts who have been helped by UGM will share their testimonies, there will be singing, and music during the night.

“I don’t like to ask for money, to be honest with you. It’s more, this is what Christ is doing. I reach out to the churches, the church family, Christians, and just let them know what Christ is doing and if they feel led to donate – wonderful. If they feel led to come and volunteer – great. If they’re going to pray, then we know that Christ answers all the time and he’s the one that raises the funds, not me.”

UGM’s spring supper will be held on April 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tickets to reserve a seat can be had by calling Justin Lange at 204-943-9904 ext. 222 or emailing justin.lange@gospelmission.ca.