EVANGEL HALL MISSION ESSAY

Evangel Hall Mission (EHM) is a non-profit charity based in Toronto, whose purpose is
to build community with poor, homeless, and socially isolated people in Toronto through support,
housing, services and advocacy. The charity was opened at 573 Queen Street West on
January 26th, 1913 by the Presbyterian Church in Canada. The location was given to the
Church by John Wanless, who was an elder at Knox Presbyterian Church. He was also a local
politician and a renowned jeweler. Before giving the building to the church, Wanless had run a
shop. He gave the house to the Presbyterian Church so that they would care for low-income
and immigrant families. The organization provides for the less fortunate by recruiting volunteers
to help organize and support events such as soup kitchens and recreational activities. Food,
housing assistance, clothing, toiletries, and other items are paid for by donations. The majority
of activities are held on the organizations relocated building on 552 Adelaide Street West,
including the housing of 110 tenants. Finances and events are managed by a Board of
Directors. Services are available throughout the week, and hours vary depending on the activity.
Evangel Hall Mission attempts to address the issue of poverty, homelessness and social
isolation in our society. Poverty and homelessness often go hand in hand. Poverty occurs when
one cannot afford to maintain a normal standard of living, which includes basic necessities such
as food, water, and shelter. There are many causes of poverty & homelessness. One cause is
unemployment. Many people, especially in todays economy, cannot find a job and as a result
cannot afford to buy food or shelter. Unemployment in Canada is usually the result of a poor
economy, in which many people are laid off by corporations or small businesses that cannot pay
so many employees. Debt amassed from gambling, loans, or any other means also results in
poverty. Alcoholism or drug abuse can result in the complete inability of a person to function
properly, leading to loss of jobs, dropping out of school, criminal activity, and debt due to the
constant need to fuel the addiction. Mental illnesses are also a leading cause of poverty. People
with these disorders often find relationships with others difficult. When they reach adulthood,
after not having developed the necessary skills in life, these people find it difficult or impossible
to pursue post-secondary education or maintain a job. Injuries or illness can have severe
consequences, as sometimes these people can no longer work due to the effects of their
ailments. Conflict with family can result in homelessness for teens and others dependent on
relatives. When a persons beliefs conflict with those of the family, often times these people are
cut off not only physically or emotionally, but also financially. In a world where money is the
difference between poverty and plenty, people with the above problems simply cannot muster
up enough to pay for the necessities they need. Social isolation is the lack of contact with
others. When socially isolated people do interact with others, these meetings are devoid of any
sort of connection or sincerity. These people have little to no contact with other people and stay
secluded for extended periods of time. Relationships are non-existent, leading to a constant
cycle of loneliness and depression. Social isolation is caused by a variety of factors, such as
health problems or disabilities, unemployment, aging, societal adversity (the inclination to avoid
the negatives associated with being among others), and living by oneself.
Evangel Hall Mission does many things to address social injustice in Toronto. One event
is the Adult Drop-in Center. This is a place where men and women in poverty can meet,
socialize and feel safe in a comfortable place. Emergency services are offered. It is a place
where the poor, homeless, and socially isolated can meet and feel welcome. The Adult Drop-In
Center is a place where these people can escape from their plight. The Health Clinic is another
place that provides services to those in need. It provides free health and dental care to those
who would otherwise not have access to them. Those without health insurance cannot afford

some services such as dental care. The EHM location has two dental suites and a medical
office, where they serve as many people as possible, free of charge. Women and Mens groups
are recreational programs that allow men and women to participate in social activities and have
fun. A wide variety of youth programs and services are available, such as a Homework Club, a
Summer Camp, school supplies, public transport assistance, and recreational programs.
Community dinners, where unfortunate people from all over Toronto come to enjoy a free meal
and the company of others, are also hosted by Evangel Hall Mission. Housing Assistance is a
program that helps people to find or pay for appropriate shelter. This organization is doing
enough to eradicate the social injustice because of the sheer number and variety of services
they provide. There are events and services that cover basic necessities such as food, shelter,
and health care, and there are even opportunities for the needy to have fun and escape from
the troubles of their daily lives. The organization does everything in its power to ensure that
these people get what they deserve. A potential $5000 donation would go to providing food,
shelter, housing assistance, school supplies, transportation assistance, and a plethora of other
items and services for the poor. This amount of money would benefit dozens of people.
As a Catholic and a student, I can do many things in my daily life to assist this
organization in its efforts to eliminate this form of social injustice. My plan of action is to become
more involved in this organization and its effort to rid Toronto of its social injustices. One way I
can contribute is by volunteering at one of Evangel Hall Missions many charitable events. When
I have spare time, I can help cook, clean, or distribute meals at one of EHMs community
dinners. I can also volunteer to read passages from the Bible or sing at one of their events. A
second way I can contribute is by donating or buying products that Evangel Hall Mission needs.
Some urgently needed items include soap, shower gel, rice, pasta, peanut butter, socks, gloves,
blankets, and gift cards. I have several hundred dollars I accumulated from recent gifts holidays.
I can use some of this money to buy the food, clothing, or gift cards that this organization needs.
My contributions will help the organization to provide for the needy. A final contribution would be
to spread the word about EHM and its goal. I can inform my family and friends about Evangel
Hall Mission and the good it does for the community. My actions will potentially result in many
more people volunteering and providing items for the organization. My community, can help
EHM eliminate the social injustices of poverty, homelessness, and social isolation by raising
money for the cause. The sheer number of people in the community guarantees that a generous
amount will be raised and donated. The people of my community can also volunteer as a group
to not only meet, but exceed the amount of volunteers needed and as a result, help more of the
unfortunate.
I chose to research Evangel Hall Mission because I feel particularly strongly about poverty.
Shelter and food are two of the basic necessities for all humans, and I find it shocking that so
many people go without them, especially in a developed country like Canada. This organization
deserves more recognition because one of its goals is to provide the citizens of this great city
with the basic needs that they deserve. All my life, Ive always felt sympathy for those who were
less fortunate, no matter what the cause of their homelessness was. Evangel Hall Mission is an
organization that shares my views about these. It is doing a great thing, and I feel the need to
support and endorse it. I did not know about this organization before completing this project.
This assignment was the first time I had heard about EMC, and I am glad that I was able to
learn about it and its goals. After researching this organization, I was touched by the generosity
of others and the lengths they will go to in order to help their fellow human beings. Thousands of
people have given up their time to volunteer at EMC and have bought food and clothing to
donate. Many times in the media, dark and horrendous stories are reported, but learning about

Evangel Hall Mission has allowed me to see the good in people. My attitude towards the social
injustice has not changed over the course of my research. I still think that poverty is a very
important issue and that everyone should be concerned about the welfare of others.