Unsung Heroes: Kerr Street Mission Provides Vital Help & Hope

Even with sunnier days and flowers in full bloom, summer doesn’t quite manage to fix what’s broken in society. Right here at home people are facing food insecurity, grappling with mental health issues, or falling through the cracks of social support networks.

Even thriving cities have pockets of great need. Oakville – which a CBC reporter called “the richest little city in Canada” in the late 1970s and maintains a reputation for affluent neighbourhoods – has the highest propensity of poverty in the Halton region. Ten percent of the town’s population, or 20,000 individuals, live below poverty level.

Kerr Street Mission (“KSM”) supports children, families and individuals who are struggling. With the help of citizens who generously share time or funds, this important local charity strives to change these alarming statistics.

Food is life

Food insecurity has reached crisis levels. According to Tony O’Dell, Director of Fundraising and Communications at KSM, 40 percent of Ontario food banks have scaled back support due to record-high demand. “At Kerr Street Mission, the need is greater than ever, “ O’Dell says, “with a staggering 200% increase in families relying on our food market over the past six years. We currently serve almost 1,200 individuals per week versus 400 per week in 2019.”

KSM is committed to ensuring families have access to healthy produce and proteins through its Choose Fresh Program, and at the Kerr Street Market, where people can redeem free vouchers for nutritious food.

Summer is a time when people tend to forget about helping citizens in need, yet the need is always there. Anyone who would like to help keep shelves stocked at KSM’s Food Market is encouraged to drop off food at the mission or make a financial donation.

Mind care

Mental and emotional afflictions take a heavy toll. Youth mental health, in particular, is in crisis. “In Ontario, one in five children struggles with mental health, more than half of middle and high school students experience serious psychological distress, and one in six has considered suicide in the past year,” O’Dell says.

Next generation

As part of its commitment to child and development, Kerr Street Mission runs summer camps focused on fun, positive, developmentally appropriate activities for a very low fee. O’Dell tells of a young man who worked at one last summer. During the camp debrief, the young man said he had been at a KSM camp as a boy and always looked up to his summer counsellors, hoping to be like them one day.

“He realized that his life had come full circle. He was now one of those people for the kids at camp who would one day remember him, and maybe one day they would want to be a counsellor,” O’Dell says. “If that wasn’t enough to bring the tears, he then personally shared that he believes that Kerr Street Mission changed his life, allowed him to try new things and find new passions, and it gave him a place to belong. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room.”

KSM has added a new Mental Health & Well-Being resource that will provide critical support to struggling families via fully subsidized, third-party counselling sessions.

A guiding hand

Social supports may exist locally, but where to start? “During times of greatest need, navigating complex social support systems can be overwhelming,” O’Dell says, “especially for families and single parents.”

A new, dedicated Family Services resource at KSM will provide personalized guidance, helping families access the social supports they need to transform their lives.

How to Help

Want to get involved in the great work of the Kerr Street Mission? You can help make a difference by donating money (e-transfer accepted!) or food, adopting a shelf in Kerr Street Market on a one-time or ongoing basis, or volunteering for one of their programs or events.