Ottawa Innercity Ministries (OIM) was established in June, 1988. After years of serving the poor through other agencies, Rev. Susan Brandt and Katrine Coward answered God's call, leaving their jobs to go into the highways and byways, bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ to the poor. With the support and blessing of local churches, they became OIM's first street missionaries to the poor in the Nation's capital. Mobile on the streets and operating in borrowed space, Susan and Katrine worked among Ottawa's vulnerable, offering hope and practical care to those who called the streets their home. Street Outreach remains as the largest component of OIM's work but other ministries now include drop-in programs, a youth arts program, work skills development, as well as individualized advocacy and referrals. Behind the scenes, and playing a crucial role, is also a faithful team of "Innercity Intercessors" who pray daily for this ministry. OIM focuses specifically on those experiencing poverty and homelessness in Ottawa. OIM has served street youth, sex workers, released offenders, de-institutionalized individuals with mental illnesses, the physically ill, the socially isolated, the elderly, the least and the lost. By coming alongside the wounded and vulnerable, by offering hope and practical care, and by identifying and encouraging the use of their skills and talents, OIM seeks to communicate to the public and to its street friends that the poor and marginalized are valuable and capable community members. A few years back, OIM staff developed a strength-based initiative called Passion 4 Youth. Today, the program, now called Innercity Arts, has grown and changed with the needs of Ottawa's most vulnerable street youth. See OIM's website ottawainnercityministries.ca for more information.