Helping Hands Street Mission came from a heart that had experienced what it was like to have no hope, to be given up on, and to be in a bottomless pit. Helen Norris, a single mom, made a promise to her daugher Fiona while waiting in line at a Salvation Army, that one day they would give back, and give away free clothes to the homeless. The seed was planted.

In the months to come, Helen was able to get back on her feet, she married a wonderful man named Tom, and life was getting better. Unknowingly to her, the seed was taking root. It was after a Joyce Myers conference she attended in November 2003, that the tree started to sprout. That weekend she met Jesus for the first time, and her life changed in an instant. Her new found faith inspired her to show love to those in need in a very practical way.

So the next weekend after raiding her linen closet and Tom's drawers, she and her friend Michelle followed the Salvation Army soup truck in downtown Hamilton, handing out blankets and clothes to people that were living on the street. At that moment, Helping Hands was born.

This soon became a weekly event, and when news spread of what they were doing, people were eager to come on board. Clothes, and volunteers to sort and distribute them came in floods. The generousity was overwhelming, and encouraged Tom and Helen that there might be more to this than just handing out clothes on Friday night.

One year later they were signing a lease on a 1,200 square foot unit in one of the poorest areas in Hamilton at Barton and Emereld Street. They felt if they wanted to make maximum impact, they needed to be where the hurting people were. It was a huge step of faith, but it was rewarded. The money, materials, and labour to make the many renovations were all donated, and the clothes and volunteers kept coming. In March of 2005, the Helping Hands Street Mission storefront opened for business.

Every week they are handing out clothes, and spending time with their friends from the community. They have partnered with some other organizations for put on special nights for street workers and to help provide resourses to people looking for work. They truly are trying to be a light in a dark part of the city, and are continuing to receive blessings for that. However, there is so much more that can be done, and if you talk to Helen, she'll tell you the plans she has, and that they will happen. You just need to have the faith.