From Soup Kitchen to a Broader Continuum of Support
I recently had the opportunity to tour the Upper Room Mission with Executive Director Jacco De Vin, and I came away with a much greater appreciation for the work happening there.
Like many people, I knew the Mission provided meals, clothing and basic necessities to people in need. What I didn’t realize was just how much its role has expanded.
The Upper Room Mission began 45 years ago as a soup kitchen. Today, in addition to meals, clothing, showers and basic necessities, it operates a 24-bed, year-round shelter that opened last November.
This year, the Mission has also introduced case management to work more closely with guests and help connect them with the services and supports they need.
Through partnerships, people can access health care from nurses, substance-use and recovery supports, assistance with housing applications and other services right at the Mission. Jacco also explained how pharmacists come onsite to provide medications to people receiving treatment for substance use.
What impressed me was the focus on helping people move beyond meeting their immediate needs toward greater stability.
A Vision for the Future
Jacco also shared his vision for the future. The Mission’s longer-term vision goes well beyond emergency shelter. It owns three adjacent properties on 27th Avenue and is exploring a larger redevelopment that could include transitional and sober-living housing, withdrawal-management and recovery supports, affordable housing and other services designed to help people move from homelessness toward greater stability and independence. The plans are still in the planning and funding stages, and include exploring the development of the neighboring property for transitional supportive housing connected with recovery, life-skills training and other supports, while expanding the capacity of the existing building as a welcoming centre and shelter.
Different Needs Require Different Responses
A key learning from the visit was something I’ve been hearing throughout my conversations about homelessness: there isn’t one reason someone becomes homeless, and there isn’t one solution that will work for everyone.
Housing is important, but so are health care, mental-health and addiction services, recovery opportunities, life skills and ongoing support. It takes many organizations working together.
Thank you, Jacco, for taking the time to show me around, answer my many questions and share your vision for the Upper Room Mission. And thank you to the staff, volunteers, partners and donors who support this important work in our community.
Published: Sept. 4, 2026