Sanctuary

Night @ Grace's is happening October 2nd 6pm-9pm!! 25 Charles St. East. Come hang out and enjoy some great music, food and most importantly, great company.

Strides for Sanctuary 2026!

From all of us at Sanctuary... THANK YOU for an amazing turnout at our annual Strides for Sanctuary fundraiser! We couldn't have done it without the support of all the participants, volunteers, and supporters. We hope to see you all again next year!

New blog! Link in bio!!

REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN! LINK IN BIO ⭐️
Join us at Woodbine Beach, Saturday, September 19, 2026!

https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/peer-to-peer/strides-for-sanctuary—2026

henri nouwen writes about compassion as entering into the lives and wounds of others, rather than standing at a distance from their suffering.

this is what community work asks of us.

to see beyond labels. beyond poverty, housing insecurity, addiction, stigma, and the ways society has marginalized people.

to see the person.

at sanctuary, we’re reminded that people don’t need to be fixed or saved before they deserve dignity. sometimes compassion looks like sitting beside someone, sharing a meal, listening to their story, and simply saying: you belong here.

A new blog is out: “Lord, Can You Hear Me?” written by Rachel Tulloch.

It begins with a small, funny moment: Rachel discovers her 5-year-old eating chocolate for breakfast after she had unknowingly said “uh-huh” to his request. She had heard him, but she hadn’t really been listening.

That moment takes on a deeper meaning when Rachel notices a question written amongst the graffiti outside Sanctuary:

“Lord, can you hear me?”

From there, we reflect on what it means to cry out and wonder if anyone, including God, is listening. Through the voices of community members, Scripture, doubt, and faith, we explore what it means to keep believing, questioning, and carrying hope together.

Sometimes we believe. Sometimes we doubt. Sometimes we cry out.

And sometimes, we carry hope for each other.

Read “Lord, Can You Hear Me?” on our blog (link in bio)
https://www.sanctuarytoronto.org/blog/lord-can-you-hear-me

“One thing I appreciate about Sanctuary is our commitment to family-style meals. We don’t just hand out food; we sit together, eat together, and create space for conversation and relationship-building. Sharing a meal has a unique way of breaking down barriers. It reminds us that we all have something in common and that everyone deserves dignity, connection, and a seat at the table.

In a world where many people experience loneliness and isolation, gathering around food can be a powerful act of community. It creates opportunities for friendship, support, and belonging.” - RR

“i’ll be there” means nothing unless someone actually shows up.

for some people, having someone walk beside them to an appointment, check in afterward, or ask “what do you want for lunch?” after a hard day is not a small thing.

it’s proof that someone actually remembered.

someone actually cared.
someone actually stayed.

most people never have to wonder where they’ll leave everything they own just to make it to a doctor’s appointment.

when your life fits in a wagon, there are no locks, no front door, no safe place to come back to.

sometimes, all you have is another person saying, “i got you.”

today, trust held.
not every day does.