First†Metropolitan United Church is active in inner-city outreach through its sponsorship of The Our Place Society (formerly The Open Door Inner City Ministry and The Upper Room Society). Our Place is affiliated with the United Church of Canada as a Community Ministry, and has a long history of support from our congregation.

Our Place has been operating from its new building at 919 Pandora Street since December 2007. It is open five days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on all holidays and during the winter it provides emergency shelter at night when conditions dictate.

Services and Programs

Services and programs provided at Our Place are extensive. Transitional housing is provided to 45 residents until they can move on to more appropriate accommodations, whether it involves treatment or more independence. Meals are provided to residents and drop-in members of the inner-city family. Other services include hygiene and clothing, healthy snacks, computer access, library, medical support, counseling, literacy, choir, advocacy, recreation and pastoral care. The approach is to provide a hand-up, not a handout and "unconditional love in a non-judgmental way."

First Metropolitan provides both financial and volunteer support to Our Place, including leadership through the Board of Directors. Donations of clothing, food and toiletry articles are also much appreciated.

More information can be obtained from the Our Place office at (250) 388-7112 or from the web site at: www.ourplacesociety.com.

Our Place has been operating from its new building at 919 Pandora Street since December 2007.