In 2007, the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care announced the creation of 25 Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics across Ontario.  These clinics, referred to as Health Zone, are a new health care delivery model which puts nurse practitioners on the front lines as lead providers of primary health care.  Through a collaborative approach including registered nurses, family physicians and other health care professionals, the clinics provide valuable family health care to men, women and children who do not have access to a primary health care provider.

Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care had much to say about Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics: “[These] clinics are a made-in-Ontario initiative that demonstrates our government’s commitment to increasing access to primary health care.  The Health Zone Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic will mean more access to health care in the London community for years to come.”

In the fall of 2011, Health Zone Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics opened their doors at various sites across London. These well received clinics brought valuable health care and information to a vulnerable community. 

Jocelyne Laberge, Case Worker at Rotholme Women’s & Family Shelter had referred many of her clients to the Health Zone site at Merrymount Children’s Centre on Colborne Street, in London. “It’s such a warm and compassionate environment,” says Laberge.  “ I thought it would be a great service to bring into Rotholme.” 

Laberge approached the organizers of the program and soon, the idea of opening a Health Zone Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic at Rotholme became a reality. “They told me they would be very interested in setting up a clinic here at Rotholme,” recalls Laberge.  “Having the services right here on site will make it so easy for clients to receive continuous care.”

Rotholme Women’s & Family Shelter is a 41-bed facility that primarily accommodates families who are homeless and in need of temporary emergency accommodation or are in crisis and require emergency shelter and care.  “Clients who are in crisis may get [medical] help for their kids,” says Laberge. “But they won’t necessarily get the help that they need.”  The Health Zone clinic will provide essential vaccinations, illness management and prevention, education and much more to clients in residence at Rotholme.

“Nurse practitioners are clearly demonstrating how they can contribute to family health care through these Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinics” says Doris Grinspun, Executive Director, Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario.  “People in London will benefit from increased access to family health care as well as the comprehensive team based approach that this clinic will provide.”

Laberge expects residents of Rotholme Women’s & Family clinic to welcome this new initiative with open arms when the clinic arrives in the coming weeks.  With so many obstacles and hardships to deal with, maintaining the health of themselves and their families can be a challenge.  The Health Zone Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic will make things that much easier. 

For more information on Rotholme Women’s & Family Clinic click HERE

For 16 years, Mission Services of London has proudly partnered with the London and St. Thomas Association of Realtors for theannual Homes for Hope Bonspiel.  This event, has raised more than $124,000 for MSL’s many programs and services.

As Fundraising and Development Director Ericka Ayala Ronson received a cheque for this year’s total, in the amount of $11,085, we paused for a moment to remember a Bonspiel committee and team member who was not there to share in the applause.

Ken Harper, former President of LSTAR, member of the Bonspiel fundraising committee as well as of the 2013 winning team passed away on January 27th of this year.  Doug Pedlar, President of LSTAR described Ken Harper in an article for REM – the premier real estate industry magazine: “Ken was on the Bonspiel committee every year,” he said. “He was a fine man and a credit to both his profession and his community.  He will be sorely missed.”

Mission Services of London extends our deepest sympathies to his family, friends and to his colleagues.  As we view the picture of the winning team, with Ken Harper holding the trophy, we will be forever grateful for Ken’s efforts in raising more than $282,000 through the Bonspiel and other fundraising events. 

For more information about LSTAR click HERE
For information on how you can support Mission Services of London click HERE

Click HERE for the REM article

Every year, the London Homeless Coalition hosts the Spring Soup ‘n Bread event at Market Square.  The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about the impact poverty, homelessness and the lack of affordable housing have on our community. 

This year, the annual event fell on April 26, beginning at noon.  Dr. Abe Oudshoorn, however, Chair of the LHC, added a special announcement to the mix.

Oudshoorn stepped to the podium holding a gigantic cheque.  His announcement, that the London Homeless Memorial had successfully raised the funds needed to proceed, drew cheers from the crowd. The reality: countless homeless individuals with no next of kin are buried with no funeral service and no grave marker.  There is no place for loved ones to linger, to pray, to remember and to mourn.  The solution: a memorial which will not only provide a gathering place for events and ceremonies focused on poverty and homelessness, it will also serve as a reminder that we are a caring community who supports all our members with respect, dignity and pride. 

Londoners have shown their support for this project in the form of donations, social media interactions and press.  Mission Services of London was proud and honoured to donate to this important project.  Executive Director Peter Rozeluk was on hand to lend his support and proudly hold that giant cheque which represents this tremendous success. “London is a city full of people who care for the less fortunate and I am overwhelmed by their generosity in donating to this project.”  says Oudshoorn.

The Coalition plans to break ground in the spring of 2013 with an official dedication ceremony on World Homelessness Action Day in October of that same year.

The London Homeless Coalition exists to advise, shape and coordinate community responses to homelessness, and related needs to the London area.

It’s hard to believe that 25 years ago, on April 24, 1988, the Mission Store opened its doors for the first time.  Today, the store continues to run predominantly through the hard work of many dedicated volunteers.  Barb Drogemuller is one of those volunteers.  

As a long time member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Barb became acquainted with Carol Ristine whose father Thomas was a pastor there at one time.  When Carol became manager of the Mission Store, Barb made the decision to dedicate her time and energy to helping out in the store.  “I started in 1994,” she remembers. “It wasn’t busy at that time but as time progressed, they needed me even more.”

In 2001, Barb moved from the front of the store to the back, organizing the linen donations for sale and for the voucher program.  This program, which provides basic needs, by referral, to individuals and families in need is an integral part of Mission Services of London.    ‘There’s always a need for sheets and towels,” Barb explains.  “Those who are down on their luck or their house burnt down, it’s one of the first things they need to get.”

Carol explains that Barb is an integral member of the team, taking a lead role in the sorting and maintaining of the ever depleting linen supply.  She even takes linens home to wash and repair them in order to have them ready to meet the immediate need.

Not only is Barb a dedicated volunteer she is also a skilled recruiter bringing in many of her friends and colleagues to volunteer at the store.  “It’s quite the community over here,” says Carol.  “It’s wonderful.” 

Barb also helps out in the kitchen of Trinity Lutheran Church during MSL’s Coldest Night of the Year event.   After participants complete their fundraising walk, Barb makes sure they have a delicious bowl of chili to warm their bones.  “She’s very hard working and productive,” says Carol.  “A real go getter.”

“Barb is an Ambassador for Mission Services of London,” says Mary Brown, Development Officer.  “She is highly respected in her church and in her community.”  

It’s evident that everyone who comes in contact with Barb Drogemuller is infected with her passion and her spirit.  “She’s small but she’s mighty,” says Carol “She has a big voice and a big heart.” 

We are so grateful to Barb Drogemuller for the time and effort she has dedicated to The Mission Store.  When asked how long she plans on volunteering, Barb responds: “While I can still walk.”  We know that will be a long, long time.

On April 23, 2013, Mission Services of London held the annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon.  Without the tremendous commitment from some very special people, we could not continue the great work we do.

Our sincerest thanks to all our volunteers.

At the age of 17, Melissa Millett was on a path of destruction.  Living on the streets, she would describe herself as a ‘troubled kid.  During those difficult times, she even spent a few weeks at Rotholme Women’s & Family Shelter in between couch surfing marathons at the houses of random friends.   “I kept wondering why I wasn’t happy and why I didn’t feel good about myself,” she recalls. “I decided that in order to value myself, I had to start doing good things for others.”   Thus began the path toward volunteering and community service.

Melissa remembers one of the first times she felt the true spirit of giving.  Years ago, she was bartending at a club in the big city of Toronto. “This woman came in, all ready for a night on the town, but the heel of her boot had broken,” she remembers.  “I gave her a pair of shoes I had tucked away in the back.  I told her to just bring them back later.”  The woman left, shoes in hand, ready to enjoy an amazing night on the town.  Did she come back?  She definitely did.  She brought not only the borrowed shoes but gave Melissa a necklace as well.  “She told me the necklace had always brought her luck,” Melissa explains.  “She said she hoped it brought good luck for me too.” Right there, in that moment, Melissa experienced the true spirit of giving.  A volunteer was born.

Melissa began volunteering at several organizations, recapturing that feeling of warmth, and joy that comes from service.  After spending some time at the Humane Society and learning from experienced animal handlers, Melissa discovered she had not only a profound love of dogs, but a talent for training them as well. 

It seemed a natural progression that Melissa would make her exceptional talents available to the public.  She opened In Dog We Trust, a professional dog training centre, and from there, began implementing pet therapy sessions at different organizations in London. “There are so many opportunities for the dogs to provide this kind of therapy,” says Melissa.  What kind of therapy exactly?  Imagine highly trained yet calm and loving dogs performing the most unbelievable tricks – right before your eyes.

The Ulta-mutts Stunt Dog Show,  features “five fabulous, fun loving, four legged stars’ performing an assortment of tricks from riding skateboards to playing basketball.  The Ulta-mutts have been featured all over the media including The Rick Mercer Report and Breakfast Television in Toronto to name just a few.   When Laureen Harper, the wife of Prime Minister Harper visited to London, The Ulta-mutts had the privilege of doing a private show for her at the London Humane Society.  What an honour!

Because of her experiences with Rotholme, Melissa decided to bring this type of pet therapy to the family shelter.  “The kids just love it,” she says.  “You can feel it.  It changes the whole vibe.”  Sometimes, children who have recently arrived from other countries are seeing and interacting with dogs for the first time.  “They smile and they laugh,” says Melissa.  “The excitement just radiates.”

Melissa and her Ulta-mutts visit Rotholme Women’s & Family Shelter once a week on a completely volunteer basis. She gives children and caregivers the opportunity to experience the joy that only an animal can bring.

French poet Anatole France once said: “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.”   We are so grateful for the efforts of Melissa Millet  and her team at In Dogs We Trust. 

For more information on In Dogs We Trust click HERE

For more information on The Ulta-mutts click HERE

If you would like information on volunteering with Mission Services of London click HERE or contact Melissa Tiller, Volunteer Relations Coordinator at 519 433 2807

Mission Services of London is so grateful for the many volunteers across our organization who volunteer their time and energy to our programs and services.  We simply could not survive without the selfless efforts of so many.

Although we formally recognize and acknowledge them during National Volunteer Week, we are continually appreciative each and evert day of the year.

Meet Haley Broadbent: a dedicated and valuable volunteer who is putting her number crunching skills to good use.

It’s that time of year again.  People all over the country are pulling out calculators and receipts in an effort to prepare income tax documents for the government. This can be a stressful time full of uncertainty and confusion, especially for those who are dealing with the added stresses of poverty and homelessness.  “There are so many benefits that are available for those in poverty,” says Haley Broadbent, a Mission Services of London volunteer.  “If you don’t do your taxes, you won’t get those benefits.  It’s that simple.” 

Haley is putting her exceptional math skills to good use.  She donates her time and energy to helping Mission Services of London’s clients navigate through this stressful process. In 2011, she began volunteering with the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program.  This program, run through Canada Revenue Agency provides tax returns, at no charge, for those who simply could not afford the help. “I saw such a need,” Haley explains.  “A lot of people have no idea the benefits they are entitled to.”

Soon, Haley began coordinating the tax clinic at the Men’s Mission & Rehabilitation Centre and volunteers countless hours of her time sorting through a maze of paperwork to get clients up to date.  “Some can’t apply for Ontario Works and other benefits until their taxes are current,” she says.  “It feels so good letting clients know they may have a refund coming in.” 

Haley has prepared hundreds of tax returns for clients of Mission Services of London which often involves a great deal of patience and compassion.  A long time Londoner and mother of five, Haley understands too well the stresses that financial struggles can bring. “At different points in my life, I’ve had to access many services in the city,” she explains.  “It’s kind of nice to give back.”

Thank you to Haley and to all of our volunteers.  Help us to recognize these extraordinary individuals during National Volunteer Week.

For information on how you can volunteer click HERE or contact Melissa Tiller, Volunteer Relations Coordinator at 519 433 2807.