You Are Mission Possible!

Mission Possible Volunteer Opportunities!

2011-09-07T11:23:00.000-07:00

Take a look at the MANY volunteer opportunities available at Mission Possible. We'll be sharing these at the Timeraiser event on September 22nd, 2011 but if you are ready to volunteer now, please contact suzy@mission-possible.ca to get started!

Marketing & Communications:

-Create Marketing Materials

-MP Maintenance Business Brochure (8 hours)

-Design layout of annual report (72 hours)

-Information Brochure about Mission Possible (8 hours)

-Design / Create email newsletter template (48 hours)

Fundraising:

-Create your own event: Develop & run a 3^rd party fundraiser event (100 hours)

-Create calendar with themes of DTES (incorporate photo contest) (75 hours)

Business & Accounting:

-Pseudo Accounting Engagement Review (100 hours)

-Business Plan: on growing soap recycling enterprise (50 hours)

Science & Technology:

-Technology Audit: develop a plan for new / future technology (30 hours)

-Website Development (50 hours)

Art:

-Artists to create mural for Mission (15 hours)

-Videographer: to create a 3 min promotional video (50 hours)

-Photo Contest & create calendar with “winning” photos/ images (75 hours)

Traditional:

-Coffeehouse Volunteer (Saturday afternoon) (2 hours / time)

-Serve a Meal (Throughout the week) (2 hours / time)

Mission Possible on CNN

2010-05-06T22:47:00.000-07:00

What's it like to live in an SRO Hotel?

2009-09-18T21:22:00.000-07:00

In the DTES over 5000 people live in SRO Hotels (Singe Room Occupant). Many of MP Enterprises employees make their home in these hotels. Many are known to be rat, pest, and drug infested. Rooms can be as small as 60 square feet, and most do not have a private washroom. How is it possible to succeed and have a sustainable livelihood while living in this kind housing. This may be a roof, but it is not a home. This is why when we talk about homelessness we must continue to talk about those who live in these hotels.

This video was put out by the Vancouver Police Department and shows the corruption and decay of these hotels.

You Are Mission Possible

2009-08-13T19:46:00.000-07:00

Mission Possible Recieves Coast Capital Grant

2009-07-07T16:56:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to the Community Investment Team at Coast Capital Savings who announced today Mission Possible as recipients of $5000.00 in funding for our Graffiti Management Social Enterprise. We are grateful for the confidence and recognition it brings to our employees who are doing such a great job.

MP Enterprises operates a Graffiti Management and Exterior Restoration business giving those in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside an on-ramp to permanent employment through flexible and supported work.

Today's Lunch

2009-07-03T21:51:00.001-07:00

We endeavor to make our meals more than the food. We believe in the transformational power of hospitality. Yet I'm always impressed with our staff who work hard to create a great, nutritious meal for our friends. Here is a picture of today's lunch.

You can help serve one of these delicious meals or just come for a chat. Give us a call.

Help keep meals like this flow from your kitchen with your financial gift.

BTW, our kitchen is GREEN. We do not use paper or styrofoam. Plastic utensils, food containers, and packaging are recycled. We even send our coffee grounds away to be used in gardens.

Window into the DTES from one of our friends

2009-06-07T15:34:00.001-07:00

Mission Possible is developing businesses that give people like Murray an opportunity to get up everyday with the hope, dignity, and pride that is available through a hard day's work.

Report Graffiti Here!

2009-05-30T22:04:00.000-07:00

Click on the map to report graffiti and someone from MP Enterprises will contact you regarding a scheduled treatment and management plan.

Mission Possible's Graffiti Agents

2009-05-15T16:06:00.000-07:00

MP Enterprises, Graffiti Management company completed its first private contract today. Join us as we create employment opportunities for those who need them most.

www.mpenterprises.ca for an estimate.
www.mission-possible.ca to donate--help us cover the costs of gear and job coaching.

MP Enterprise Manager Travis on CBC Radio

2009-05-13T15:59:00.000-07:00

CBC Radio Coverage of Plan-It Hastings
Uploaded by BOBICS - Watch the latest news videos.

Mission Possible Open House

2009-05-06T10:47:00.000-07:00

To celebrate Mission Possible's recent makeover we hosted an Open House on April 22nd. If you were unable to attend, here are the highlights.

Charlie's Food Bank and Vet Clinic

2009-05-05T22:31:00.000-07:00

Three years ago Mission Possible entered a partnership made in "dog" heaven. The SPCA and Mission Possible work to provide food and veterinary services to the much loved pets of the Downtown Eastside. For many struggling on the Downtown Eastside streets their pets are a profound source of hope and transformation.

The Province published a great story about this amazing program.

'I saved his life and he saved mine'

By Corry Anderson-Fennell, Special to The ProvinceMay 3, 2009

Debra Frost shudders to think about the turn her life could have taken if not for a smiling spaniel mix named Buddy.

"He's truly my best friend," says Frost, as Buddy wiggles at her feet in the lineup outside the Mission Possible outreach centre in Vancouver. Frost and two dozen other pet guardians have come for Charlie's Food Bank, a weekly program of the BC SPCA that distributes pet food to residents of the Downtown Eastside. Click here for more

MP YouTube Channel

2009-03-21T22:13:00.001-07:00

Global BC TV Coverage of Mission Possible

2009-03-06T21:21:00.000-08:00

Here is the link.

Extreme Makeover, Mission Possible Edition: Take 2

2009-03-05T21:03:00.000-08:00

Extreme Makeover: Mission Possible Edition

2009-03-03T20:57:00.000-08:00

If you ventured down to Mission Possible this week you might think Tye and his team from the Home resuscitation reality show were in town. But instead you would find a dedicated group of Mission Possible volunteers turning the place upside down and bringing new beauty to this place of hope and hospitality. Special thanks should go out to Freshair Fitness, Jennifer, Nyrie, Maryann, and many other ladies from this crew who are nurturing to life a new and improved Mission Possible. Thanks also to the people of the Vancouver Port community who raised funds for our kitchen remodel efforts; Harbor City kitchens; Sherwin Williams paints; and many other MP volunteers who are putting in overtime hours.

Come on down to see the new look!

Here's a couple pics of our work in progress.

Downtown Eastside Living

2009-02-12T09:32:00.000-08:00

Of the Downtown Eastside's 16,000 residents, 12,000 are low-income. Here's how they live:

- 5,000 in social-housing units

- 5,000 in SRO units (1,371 of those now owned by the B.C. government)

- 1,000 in special-needs residential facilities

- 1,000 are homeless

Article

Surely God is with Us!

2008-12-13T10:30:00.001-08:00

Last Saturday we greeted over 200 of our friends for a Christmas Dinner. It was a dinner with all the trimmings; turkey, ham, stuffing, potatoes, veggies, and yes--Rick Coldwell's famous raisin sauce. Not a tummy went unsatisfied. Santa even showed up. Thanks to Keith Henderson Photography all who desired went home with a picture with Santa. One of our friends even came back--hair combed and pussycat in hand. "This picture I'm going to send to mom," he said.

This year our volunteers came from TIO Networks, Exan Software, and Vancouver Womens' Transportation Club, along with a host of individuals that spend nearly a whole day slaving away in the kitchen (Thanks Rose, John, Arash, and Brianna).

At the end of the day you couldn't help but feel really good about the day. Not simply because hungry people were filled. We had prepared, with the help of volunteers, a beauiful celebration that witnessed to the mystery of the Christmas story itself--the scandless idea that God choose to express his love and desire for the world in the form of a baby born amist homelessness, and poverty, straw and manure.

Our Christmas dinner turned into a sign--God cares about those who live in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. And, he surely cares for you.

God Bless and Merry Christmas from your friends at Mission Possible.

Pleasure Doing Business With You!

2008-11-26T13:11:00.000-08:00

"Pleasure doing business with you," are the words that complete the contract between participant and staff at The Doorway. The Doorway is an innovative organization working with street entrenched youth in Calgary. I was introduced to them by Judy Thomas one of our GPS volunteers. I just returned from a visit to examine their work firsthand. WOW!

They call themselves "venture capitalists." The catch is that invest in people, specifically youth who express an interest to get off the street. At any given time 100 youth are connected with the Doorway. The Doorway invests in the self-initiated plans of their participants.

When you arrive for work at the Doorway you can sit down and write a plan. You ask yourself, "Where am I at in my life today." Next you ask, "Where would I like to be." This simple process is completed with the participant writes out the steps to complete their self-directed change. Subsequently, they meet with a volunteer that talks to them about their plan. The deal is completed with a staff person who asks them about the process and punctuates the work they've done with $15.00. The cash incentive is paid without strings attached. The goals and steps set by the participant are completely their own to complete. The follow-through, ownership, accountability, potential failure or success is owned by no-one else. "Pleasure doing business with you."
Sounds crazy? Why would you give street entrenched youth $15.00 cash? Won't they simply by drugs, or blow the money on trivial things? Perhaps, but it was their choice. They are left to blame no-one but themselves. No dependency is created between participant and organization.

AND, this is the big and--7 out of every 10 participants successfully leave the street culture.

Check out The Doorway here

Mission Possible is exploring the idea of replicating this innovative program in Vancouver. If you are interested in seeing this idea in action, contact Brian to see how you can help. brian@mission-possible.ca

Christmas Dinner

2008-11-26T12:52:00.000-08:00

Our annual Mission Possible Christmas Dinner is arriving early this year. On December 6th we will feed 200 of our guests a Christmas Meal with all the trimmings. Why so early? Well, we diligently try to avoid offering our Christmas dinner on the same day as Union Gospel Mission, and the Salvation Army, who already claimed the next two Saturdays.

You know, the reality is Christmas is a time of great generosity in our city. There are plenty of meals to serve all who are hungry. No one will go hungry this Christmas in Vancouver. That's something to be thankful about. However, Mission Possible has always been about something much greater than filling bellies.

Our Christmas meal is an opportunity to show our friends how much they are loved and appreciated. It's a time to share hope with people for whom God loves deeply.

I look forward to telling you how it goes.

"That there is a force of love and logic in the universe that seeks to explain itself is amazing enough, that it would seek to explain itself as a Child born amidst straw, manure, poverty, is genius, and it brings me to my knees." Bono

New Mission Possible Video

2008-11-09T02:05:00.000-08:00

Thanks to TIO Networks for their continuing series of videos featuring Mission Possible.
Enjoy!

GPS Program Recieves Funds from Face the World

2008-10-10T13:51:00.000-07:00

Mission Possible just received a generous grant of $5000.00 from the Vancouver Face the World Foundation. Face The World was formed in 1991 by Jacqui Cohen and a few close friends. The intention then, as it remains today, is to provide the 'hands of hope' to the less fortunate members of our community. The Cohen family have a long and storied commitment to Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

GPS has moved from a summer pilot program to an ongoing program offered every Monday. GPS is a goal setting, achievement, and support group for those experiencing poverty and homelessness in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

Each group is comprised of ten individuals who express interest in achieving a personal goal. These goals are strength- based and developed by the participant. Some are looking to complete a project. Others set goals of self-improvement. Some are looking to break free from unhealthy lifestyles and situations. Others simply want to connect with estranged family. One man, who had been homeless for over a year, said, “Maybe its time to think about moving inside.”

The team that is formed provides more than goal achievement. Within these newly nurtured relationships each individual gains social capital that builds confidence and coping skills. A group facilitator and mentor are available for focused support.

You too can partner with Mission Possible and Face the World to make the Downtown Eastside a better place. Your Generous Gift is Tax Deductible

Strategic Planning Retreat

2008-07-10T15:40:00.000-07:00

The Mission Possible Board of Directors gathered Tuesday for a day of strategic planning with corporate facilitator Gareth Wood. Thanks to TSI for generously underwriting Mr. Wood's consulting fees. During the planning session we gained consensus around a new statement of mission, vision, and values. They also crafted five strategic goals that will move Mission Possible towards fulfilling the vision.

We look forward to sharing the results as they are made available. Please pray for Mission Possible as we strive to offer services that break the cycle of homelessness and poverty in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

Exan Software Inc. Sponsors Martha's Table

2008-06-24T13:24:00.000-07:00

Exan Software Inc., has generously underwritten the cost of our newest program. Thanks so much to the Exan team. You are making a significant difference.

Martha’s Table is a goal setting, achievement, and support group. Setting goals is so important in the process of life transformation. Sometimes those goals are big and dreamy, other times they are simple and concrete. A team of participants will join together once a week for conversation, a meal, and support. The group is centered on setting, and achieving, strength based goals. That goal may be as simple as getting to all one’s appointments on time. It might be as transformative as finding adequate housing. Another might set the goal of reconnecting with an estranged family member. Whatever the goal is, it is set by the individual to meet their desired outcome. The group is there to encourage and support. At the end of the ten week process participants will go on a one day retreat to celebrate their progress.

Port Community Raising Thousands for Mission Possible

2008-06-22T00:04:00.001-07:00

Allow me a moment to celebrate the efforts Vancouver’s Port community. Beginning in the year 2000 TSI and Vancouver/Fraser Port Authority inaugurated a harbor cruise to that raised 14K for Mission Possible—an organization working towards long-term solutions to homelessness and poverty in the Downtown Eastside. Now joined by Western Stevedoring, DP World and many other Port related companies this growing fundraising event continues each year. On Thursday night they raised an astonishing 160K for deserving organizations. As a beneficiary, Mission Possible is very familiar with their continual quiet generosity. But after this amazing night, the Port Communities generosity and contribution to our fine city should not go unnoticed.

Thanks So Much!!!

Our own Board Chair Ted DeVries, CEO of Exan Software, spoke to the crowd about his experience with Mission Possible. Thanks Ted.

Mission Possible?

2008-06-06T23:01:00.000-07:00

Mission Possible is a community of hope in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside working towards long-term solutions to poverty, homelessness, and spiritual restlessness. Since 1990 Mission Possible has provided meals, clothing, food hampers, crisis counseling, job postings and resume assistance, spiritual support, and other services to individuals experiencing homelessness and poverty. In October 2007 the Board of Directors hired a new executive director with a mandate to move Mission Possible beyond current relief oriented services towards comprehensive community development initiatives.