The Ever-changing Nature of Mondays

This past Monday started with our routine: staff check-in, meals on low in the oven, and wagons and bins packed for the day. This week we were excited to welcome our two interns who are from Germany and will be helping at The Dale for the next few months. It was lovely to have their

The Moments in Between

Every week at our Monday drop-in, our lunch is served at 1pm. Before then, we open our doors in the morning at 11am, not only to set up but to make space to be with our community. This time creates room for folks to get settled in their favourite spot, grab a coffee, and chat.

Eating Together

Since that infamous March 2020, when everything stopped, we haven’t had an indoor Monday meal. Though we didn’t completely shut down, with our meals still distributed through to-go bags, it was a difficult change. It was sad that we had to stand 6ft apart, while wearing masks, and any interactions had to be brief. Over

The Dale does Pottery

Something I love about Parkdale is that it sometimes feels like a small town. When you’re new to the neighbourhood, it doesn’t take long to learn the names of long-time residents, local business owners, baristas, health care workers, etc.  I can’t believe I’ve been at The Dale for almost 4 whole years now! I’m grateful

Few Words but Lots of Love

During outreach, as we walked around the neighbourhood, I met someone new. I noticed an older woman who started to look sad as the rain showed up out of nowhere. She smiled sweetly at me as I introduced myself along with one of our interns. She put her hand out and held mine, really looking

The Dale Lately

Here is a little photo collection of life at the Dale these days. The warm weather has brought so much joy and more opportunity to hang out with our community. Being outside for Art Group! There is a beautiful outdoor space next to the room we have Art Group, and since it’s been so warm,

A Cozy Space

Before Covid, part of The Dale’s weekly schedule, was an Art and Breakfast program that happened inside the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre. It was a time filled with pancakes, bacon, colouring, clay, beading, and acoustic guitar music. It was a great way to connect with the staff in the health centre, so that

Church Potluck

It has been a long time since we have eaten together as a community. Both our weekly lunch and breakfast meals have been in to-go bags since March 2020. Alas, there still have been little moments- picnics with a handful of people, birthday celebrations with individuals, dinners at St.Francis’ Table (an organization that serves food

Unified Prayer

“When one of us cries, we all cry, when one of us laughs, we all laugh,” said one of our core community members during his prayer on Sunday. He roughly quoted Romans 12:15 that reads, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” That prayer, and the prayers of others before and after

National Housing Day Rally

I have never been to a rally before. I’ve always seen them from afar and stood with the crowd in my heart but never with my presence. I’m not completely sure why not, I think it’s a mixture of not having the opportunity and a personal fear of disturbing peace. I’ll be honest I was