Westside Anglicans Neighbourhood Ministry

St. Philip's is a partner in the Westside Anglicans Neighbourhood Ministry (WANM).

Read the latest Outreach Report here.

The WANM Street Outreach program currently needs the items listed below.  Donations can be left in the baskets provided in the Narthex of the church.

• Ensure/Boost/meal replacement drinks
• Cans of meat or fish
• New socks - Men’s LG
• New underwear - Men’s LG/XL, Women’s M
• McDonald gift cards - $10+

• Rain, winter and fleece jackets (we currently have NO jackets in our supply closet)
• Rain pants and sweatpants
• Long underwear
• Tarps (dark colours are preferred but not essential)

Please only donate the above items as when we get clothing that we don’t need we end up donating it to the thrift store. Also, please don’t donate items that are ripped or stained. Sweatpants are especially popular and can be picked up inexpensively at the thrift store eg the Salvation Army in Kerrisdale.

Call for volunteers - Neighbourhood Ministry Street Outings
The WANM is looking for volunteers for our street outreach team. This involves a commitment of approximately one Saturday morning a month from 9.30am-1pm. Volunteers always go out in pairs so you wouldn't need to drive. We encourage anybody who thinks that they might be interested to join an outing one Saturday to see if they like it. You would be scheduled on a week that is convenient for you and you would be going out with two experienced volunteers. Anybody is welcome to go out once or twice to see if they think that this is a Ministry that they would like to join. To volunteer on a long term basis training (of approximately three hours) is required. If you are interested in giving this a try please contact Mary Lymburner at  marylymburner@telus.net or 778 898 5117.

About the West Side Anglicans Neighbourhood Ministry

The Neighbourhood Ministry was started in 2008 when a small group of concerned church members decided that they would like to support the people who are unhoused or insecurely housed on the West Side. It offers care, companionship and practical help to our most vulnerable neighbours living in unhoused marginalized conditions.

It is a collaborative ministry shared by the parishes of St. Anselm’s St. Philip’s, St. Helen’s and St. John's Shaughnessy .

Mission Statement of the Westside Anglicans Neighbourhood Ministry

“Mutual Transformation”  (reviewed by the Board of Management on November 23, 2021)

• We aim to show love and kindness to our homeless and vulnerable neighbours onVancouver’s Westside, simply by being a non-judgmental, reliable presence in their lives.
• We aim to be a bridge for them to access medical and social services which are inaccessible due to physical, mental health, and economic challenges and circumstances.
• We hope that the hearts of our volunteers and those who witness our work are transformed; that they become even more compassionate and committed by our weekly outreach and care to address the chronic crisis of homelessness.

WANM Ministries

Street Outreach

Every Saturday volunteers deliver packets of food, clothing and camping equipment to homeless individuals on the Westside of Vancouver. These supplies are donated by the parishioners of the four churches. 

In the Kitsilano Community Centre on Saturday mornings, there is the Kitsilano Shower Program, which offers a hot breakfast, showers and clean clothing, and assistance in applying for ID, housing, etc.

Dunbar Housing

At 17th and Dunbar there is a supportive housing building and the WANM has been involved with its residents since it’s inception more than a decade ago. Several times a year, volunteers host celebration meals where they not only provide all of the food but also serve it and spend time with the people who live there.

More Information

For more information about the MCU or the Neighbourhood Ministry, please visit the Neighbourhood Ministry website.