ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY

Our History & Mission

HISTORY AND ROOTS

Our History

HISTORY AND ROOTS

Our History
One Heart at a Time

St. John the Compassionate Mission opened its doors on January 30, 1986. We first began by renting a small store in the middle of a densely-populated public housing project. The opening day was an act of trust in God’s desire to plant a presence of Faith, Hope and Love in a needy neighbourhood.

Initially established as a mission-parish of the Ukrainian Catholic Eparchy of Toronto, we later transferred to the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church. From the beginning, all services have been conducted in English, welcoming people of many cultural, social and religious backgrounds.

In 1995, we found our present permanent home on Broadview Avenue. This place is large enough to accommodate all our needs, with renovation work done entirely by dedicated volunteers from around the world.

WATCH OUR STORY St. John’s Mission History Video
St. John's Mission Building History
OUR PURPOSE

Our Mission

OUR PURPOSE

Our Mission

Our purpose is to be and to build an inclusive community through the gifts and the needs that each of us brings. This Community of Love is a place of healing and nourishment occurring through awakening the God-given dignity and value of each person.

St. John the Compassionate Mission provides meals and a wide range of programs to marginalized individuals in a nurturing community setting. We operate two successful non-profit social enterprises — a bakery and a thrift shop — which provide valuable work experience and dignity for all workers.

We encourage everyone in our neighborhood — homeless or not, rich or poor — to see the Mission as a community space where people of different backgrounds can gather. Our common humanity joins all of us in a common search for meaning and bread.

RADICAL HOSPITALITY

A Presence of Faith

RADICAL HOSPITALITY

A Presence of Faith

Our friend Jean Vanier visited St. John’s in 2005 and described best what our hospitality means. We learn to understand and respect each other through our common work and respectful dialogue.

At the Mission, we witness that it is through work and community that our humanity can be restored. No task is meaningless when lived together.

COMMUNITY REFLECTION
THE ART OF WORK

Working with Hands

THE ART OF WORK

Working with Hands

Work is not only an economic necessity but a basic human need. At the Mission, we believe that through work, our humanity can also be restored. Unpaid work is a noble and fulfilling human experience.

We create a real culture where everyone is encouraged to share their gifts and ‘who they are.’ These gifts are not only encouraged, but needed. People are made to feel that they are needed and not just ‘in need.’

This vision of life restores equality between those of us who often see the poor as objects of pity. We believe that such an ‘oasis’ in our culture and city contributes to a better society for all.

Working with hands at St. John's Bakery