We had just sat down as a team to have our weekly staff meeting. As we got ourselves settled, I decided to answer a call that I expected to be quick. It turned out to be someone who was frantically needing urgent help with their pet. After a few minutes of trying to sort out what to do, Meagan and Olivia hopped in a vehicle to go to our friend and their furry companion.

In an effort to seize the moment, Joanna and I decided to go to the local hospital to say a little hello to a community member who is there as a patient. It was impossible to find a parking spot, so Joanna went in while I waited. On her way in, she met a long-time friend who had just been released. This person was shivering in the cold, uncertain on their feet, with no way to get back to the heart of the neighbourhood. And so, ultimately we all loaded up in the van.

The drive back along Queen Street became lively as our friend warmed up and starting cracking dry one liners. Before dropping him off at his go-to spot, we gathered some warm clothes and a sleeping bag for him from our stock at 201 Cowan Avenue. Throughout our time together, he quietly indicated it was good to see us, and “not just for the help”. Both Joanna and I repeatedly said how good it was to see him. Before saying goodbye, he thanked us for the ride and we thanked him for the comedic relief.

While it was a different kind of Tuesday morning for us, this story exemplifies what we love doing at The Dale. We are invited, in community, to be there for one another. And I don’t mean in an us/them kind of way. The person who called needing help calls multiple people in the community throughout the week to offer encouragement and prayer. We delivered a card to the person in hospital that had been signed by nearly everyone at our Sunday gathering. I felt reminded of the longevity of our connection and friendship with the person we picked up outside of the hospital. He always makes sure to ask me about how my daughter is and occasionally gives me a chocolate bar to pass along to her.

We can all find ourselves in vulnerable situations, and asking for help can feel risky. I wish I could say that we are always able to meet needs in as an immediate way as on this particular Tuesday. Sometimes what I or another person needs exceeds our scope, or requires significant leg-work. Whatever the situation, it matters when our concern or need is heard by someone who cares and would like to help in whatever way possible. I am grateful that there is such a wide group of people at The Dale who are trying to be just that for each other. I am glad for the way a pet, a hospital visit and a drive along Queen Street all served to freshen this reality to me.