More than a meal, we are a non-profit, multi-social service agency who believes every person deserves access to healthy food, safe housing, and opportunities for tomorrow. In 1956, Enos Bearinger, a farmer in Hamilton, helped to rehabilitate a young man in his home. This experience encouraged him to create a place where men experiencing homelessness, addiction, and mental illness could access food, shelter, and social and emotional support. He sold his farm and used the profits to purchase an old candy factory on James Street North. With the assistance of volunteers and local congregations, the old factory became our Men’s Shelter, where men experiencing homelessness could share a meal, have a place to sleep, and access community supports. This building remains the location of our men’s emergency shelter, where we continue to offer services to men aged 18 and older. As Mission Services grew it became apparent that a more comprehensive scope of services was needed to help break the cycle of homelessness, poverty and other problems. Today, our services include emergency food assistance, Inasmuch House shelter for women and children fleeing violence, addiction services, youth afterschool programs, and Willow's Place, a low-barrier daytime resource hub for women experiencing homelessness. These services focus not only on crisis response and intervention but also on helping people realize their full potential. Mission Services is a registered Canadian charity ( #11904 3206 RR0001).
