Building A Community

[Sanctuary]

Building Community...

Since 1993, Sanctuary has been a haven of safety, security and respect for some of the most needy and marginalized people in the city of Toronto. Rather then focusing on a particular demographic group, Sanctuary aims to build a sense of community among people who, for the most part know only rejection and abuse.

... one individual at a time.

Our community includes young, teenaged men and women who already have several years prostitution experience; native people who ran from abusive homes on the reserve only to find worse situations on the street; men in their twenties and thirties who had homes, jobs and families and lost it all though bad luck, poor judgment, and a lousy economy; and men who ought to be in the prime of life, but are, instead, battling with AIDS. Many of our people are homeless, few have meaningful work, and a frightening number are struggling with addictions.

... to offer complete acceptance

All of these situations vary quickly kill an individual's sense of personal dignity and worth. At Sanctuary, we believe that every person is created in the image of God and consequently has inestimable value. As followers of Jesus we are called to embrace that valuable part of the people we meet, thereby restoring the dignity that empowers the individual to reclaim health, wholeness, and a meaningful life. This is the essence of true "welfare".

... to make a difference

Sanctuary Street Outreach Teams meet the members of our community on their turf - the "mean" streets, where our people have to survive - often late at night, offering food, drink and basic health care. Our staff help individual community members access welfare, legal counsel, medical care, counseling, therapy or drug rehabilitation. Fostering a broader sense of community, Sanctuary staff also volunteer time with a local food bank, the AIDS Committee of Toronto, Central Toronto Youth Services, and the Wellesley Health Bus.

... to enable full participation

As our community members develop new self esteem, they begin to participate in the activities at Sanctuary. At our drop - ins, they help prepare the meals, serve each other, and clean up after dinner. At regular concerts, movie nights, and seasonal parties, community members experience a sense of normalcy in lives that have been badly shattered.

... in the heart of the city

Our four full - time staff and a group of committed volunteers serve a core community of about 300 needy people living beneath the office towers. Located just south of Bloor Street off Young Street, Sanctuary sits in the heart of the district that our community calls home.

For donations please make payable to:

Sanctuary Ministries of Toronto

(No. 89037 9340 RR 0001)

[Sanctuary]

Web Site

25 Charles Street, Toronto, Ontario. M4Y 1R9