Monday at the Mission Store

We often say the Mission Store is more than just a thrift store. The retail space and warehouse support the Emergency Voucher Program, an outreach program providing clothing, essential hygiene products, and household items at no cost to neighbours in need. Last year, the program distributed over $85,000 in goods and regularly serves thousands of unique individuals in a year.

These are just a few of the people accessing the program on a single Monday morning:

Douglas

It has been two years since Douglas has had a place to call home, but he is hopeful today will be a new beginning.

“I came in to get a new pair of shoes [through the Emergency Voucher Program]”, he says. “But what I really need is to get some ID so I can maybe find a place to live.”

While at the Mission Store, Douglas waits to meet Justine, a Streetscape outreach worker who will help him with the paperwork to apply for a birth certificate. The store acts as a community hub, where relationships can form and trust can be built among Emergency Voucher Program participants and staff members who can help them access additional supports.

For someone like Douglas, trust is not easily come by. “I’ve tried staying in emergency shelter but it just isn’t right for me,” he confides. “I’m an older guy and I like having my own space. It’s hard to share a room, listen to other people’s music, have people coming in when I’m trying to sleep.”

Douglas spent the past winter trying to navigate a housing system that is ever more reliant on technology. He struggles with accessing housing listings and resources without access to a phone or computer, and without the knowledge of how to use the tools.

“I was homeless before when I was 34,” he says. “I’ve gotten out of it before and I’ll do it again.”

Fariha

The Emergency Voucher Program has made a huge difference for Fariha and her family. She has been shopping for clothing for herself, her husband and two daughters for the past three years.

“The kids grow so quickly,” she says. “They need different sizes all the time, especially their shoes. It’s so helpful to have somewhere that I can get their things because otherwise, it is just so expensive.”

Coming to London from Syria was a big adjustment, but Fariha considers herself fortunate to have received the support of a sponsor family. Their housing came with many household items, but they have still struggled in their new country.

“We are a low-income family,” Fariha says. “Even outside of the voucher program, I still shop here because the prices are just so much lower than everywhere else. There’s no other store like it – it is just so easy and nice to shop here.”

Fariha shops at the store mainly for clothing, although she has also purchased electronics before. “I don’t want to take more than we need,” she says. “We don’t use the voucher program for everything because other people need to be taken care of too.”

Timothy

Timothy discovered the Emergency Voucher Program online when he was looking for community support. He injured his back two years ago while lifting heavy items at his job in the restaurant industry, and has yet to be able to rehabilitate the injury because of pandemic-related delays.

“I’m looking for work right now while I wait to start those appointments,” he says. “I need a job that’s easier on my body but nobody seems to want to hire a 55-year-old.”

This is Timothy’s second time coming to the store to receive clothing, but he says the service is an important one for the community. “From a psychological point of view, it’s just wonderful. It’s nice to be able to freshen up and present yourself better,” he says.“When you look good, you feel better.”

Despite his injury and struggles to find employment, Timothy feels grateful he has maintained his housing. He knows not everyone has that same experience. “When I come here, I try to take only what I need,” he says. “There are others out there who are experiencing even harder struggles than I am. I want to make sure they get taken care of too.”

*Names and images have been changed to protect the privacy of program participants.

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