The Streets Alive flag now hoisted above Lethbridge City Hall. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Streets Alive Mission celebrates 30 years in Lethbridge with flag raising ceremony

Oct 5, 2020 | 12:30 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – It was three full decades ago that the Streets Alive Mission was established in Lethbridge.

Co-Founder Julie Kissick says she could not believe they made it to this milestone.

“I didn’t even really think about it because it doesn’t feel like 30 years. It’s been such an adventure and I have loved every minute of it, even the hard things. 30 years – I look at it now and it’s like, holy cow, we made it!”

Dignitaries including Mayor Chris Spearman, Lethbridge-East MLA Nathan Neudorf, and a representative for Lethbridge MP Rachael Harder spoke alongside the founding members of the non-profit for the flag raising ceremony.

Kissick says it was a “huge win” to be formally recognized by the city, especially as the community is so important to her.

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Streets Alive is a faith-based organization that works to help people who are experiencing poverty, homelessness, or addiction.

“For us, being faith-based and God-based, it’s up to the people if they want to join in in that factor, but we believe that all of our strength comes from God, all of our provision comes from God, and that He is the power that is greater than their own strength to help them move forward.”

“No matter what, we don’t ask the question about whether they believe in God or not – the question we ask is ‘what do you need?’ That’s the most important question that we have.”

In recent years, she tells LNN that drug issues, particularly around meth, have greatly impacted the city and the lives of those impacted.

The plan for Streets Alive going forward is to continue to expand its recovery housing inventory.

Many of their clients spend several months or even a couple of years in their homes while they try to improve their lives.