British Columbia: The Ridge Church – Partnering for Winter Shelter and HUB Ministries

A temporary winter shelter with 30 beds has started at Ridge Church in addition to the HUB ministries on their property in Maple Ridge. Open from October 1 to April 30, community members needing a warm, dry place to rest at night will have a secure and safe place to be. The space is open from 9 pm until 7 am every day.

Dayna Olson-Brooks, pastor of Community & Connections at The Ridge, says that the HUB ministry, begun during COVID in 2021, was “designed to be a place for our neighbours to gather who need access to care. A HUB that provided wound care, addictions counsellors, access to housing partners, a cup of coffee/ a meal and items like shoes, etc. They also have a shower for those who need one.” 

An average day will see about 60 participants drop by to be helped by the 4 staff and 10 volunteers. Last year a homeless man with his 9-year-old son stopped by the HUB as a last resort to figure out how to access community support. They received clothing, books, and toys in addition to being directed toward available shelter spaces. 100 vulnerable community members were helped into housing, recovery, etc.

Both ministries involve partnerships. The winter shelter, hosted by The Ridge, is a strategic partnership with The Salvation Army, BC Housing, and The Ridge. The HUB ministries is a partnership with the City of Maple Ridge and Alouette Addictions. The civic leaders approached leaders at the church to inquire as to their interest in helping vulnerable neighbours in the area. The initiative met the church’s vision statement of reaching their city and a new model of care was established.

David Fitch, a Canadian born missiologist now in Chicago, writes that “the transformation of culture will not come from better politicians, more effective social justice activists or the premier intellectuals of our day… True transformation emanates from the persistent local community organizers, who shape communities to live differently. It is these social spaces that disrupt oppressive systems, rather than make minor tweaks within them. In my opinion, the churches of Jesus Christ should be the ultimate community organizers of social revolution.”

The Ridge used to operate a ministry called Petals, serving vulnerable women in the city. Some of those participants were homeless, trapped in addictions, or in the sex trade. One of the women from the church who supported that ministry is now on staff at the HUB, showing her love to the community.

The winter shelter welcomes anyone without labels, including their pets, carts, bicycles, and provides a hot meal in the evening and a breakfast in the morning. The HUB provides sandwiches for lunch or afternoon meals. David MacPherson, the Salvation Army’s executive director, says that “every year we see more people needing shelter, and we’re excited that BC Housing has partnered with us to provide these beds for the next seven months… Working together with Ridge Church and the City of Maple Ridge, we will continue to address the most pressing needs of our community.”

Olson-Brooks says the church is committed to providing “space externally and internally for the HUB team to care for people. Sometimes they need kitchen access, a deep freeze, etc. We continue to receive donations (shoes/clothing/backpacks) and funnel needed items to them to bless our neighbours… We have had to work hard with loving our other neighbours who may not understand what the HUB does, or how it serves and protects folks. Many were concerned about the elevated numbers… coming around to the HUB but these days we receive very little pushback as they can see the genuine love, care, and grace being poured out.”

She adds that after being in Ridge Church for 22 years “I am now seeing several young people that my kids went to school with being loved at the HUB. While it breaks my heart to see them struggling, it also gives me hope that they are experiencing love, care, and community.” Several of the HUB participants have come to find Jesus at Ridge Church. Two were baptized in the past year and a few of them have joined community groups or serving teams. They have been welcomed warmly and they in turn pass on that warm welcome to others coming in.