The Mobile Mission has been supporting people in Greater Vancouver with meals, clothing, blankets, and dignifying care since 2008. A second van was added in 2019 to serve the Fraser Valley, and as of this fall, a third vehicle will begin offering care in Greater Victoria. We connected with Rob, our Vice President of Men’s Programs, to hear more about how the Mobile Mission started, and we spoke with Karla, our Victoria Manager, about why its presence in Victoria is so needed.
UGM: What challenges were people facing that led to the idea of creating a Mobile Mission?
Rob: The idea began with a number of UGM Outreach staff from Vancouver, Mission, and New Westminster all realizing that there were many people experiencing homelessness that were not accessing our services. When I was a Street Chaplain, when a community member wanted socks, warm clothing, or shelter, I would have to say, “Just walk down to UGM Reception, and ask for help there.” Imagine someone walking six to eight blocks into an unfamiliar building, asking for something from a stranger, and then walking back to their corner or tent (sometimes in the rain) and returning still with wet socks or clothing and nothing gained!
With the need apparent, we bought a Sprinter van and had it outfitted to contain enough shelving to hold blankets, sleeping bags, socks, ponchos, warm clothing, and food and drink for anyone who needed the basics. The genius of the Mobile Mission concept was that we could offer “real-time” assistance while building relationships with individuals in need of support.
UGM: How quickly did it become apparent that the Mobile Mission was meeting a real need?
Rob: It became apparent even before the Mobile Mission went on its first official inaugural shift! I took our original van to Granville Chapel to show it to my Sunday school class. After church, I was driving my family home in the van, and a community member stopped us at a traffic light and was in need of a sleeping bag and socks. Our family opened the van and provided everything this individual needed! The response was clear and the purpose was affirmed: meeting people where they’re at makes a difference.
UGM: When did it become apparent that a Victoria Mobile Mission would be a good idea?
Rob: Victoria has been on our hearts for many years. There is an immense need for frontline ministry. But we’re not coming into Victoria to “solve their problems,” but rather to connect with the homeless community, other social services agencies, the City of Victoria, and local churches. We are joining them in partnership as we address the many challenges facing Victoria together.
UGM: What’s the vision for the Mobile Mission in Victoria?
Karla: There are many people hiding away who can use our support. Outreach in Victoria has
understandably become very focused on the downtown core, and specifically Pandora, which has been where the greatest need is. But UGM will go out into communities where there aren't as many resources and build relationships with community members who are on the verge of “falling through the cracks.” We will go to Langford and Colwood where many people are living in their vehicles and might isolate from service providers. We will go to the docks in Saanich and Brentwood Bay where people live on boats and struggle to make ends meet. We will bring necessities they might have a hard time getting and a friendly smile and most importantly connection — to our UGM Outreach team and to other service providers that can help make a difference in people’s lives.
UGM: What, for you, have been the most exciting impacts of the Mobile Mission program? Why does it remain an important part of UGM’s Outreach?
Rob: One of the most exciting aspects of this ministry for me is to see people being helped in real time. I’ve seen the Mobile Mission staff bring individuals back to UGM Shelter services to be given a warm meal, a safe place to sleep, and access to Case Managers, all leading to transformed lives. It reminds me of the biblical principle to “forgo the 99 and to search for the one.” We have a calling to go out and care for those community members who may not ever walk through our doors.
