T he Mission community is invited to drop by the Haven in the Hollow and the Food Centre on Logan Avenue on Wednesday afternoon for a neighborhood clean-up day, block party and barbecue.

Volunteers from Haven in the Hollow, a first-stage housing program operated by Mission Community Services, will tidy up the area and be using a lift-truck to wash the walls of its building.

"It's generally to make the place look good, but it's also an invitation to the public to come and see what we're doing," said Tony Lapointe, executive director for Mission Community Services.

"Come on in, say hi, visit the shelter and the food centre. They're amazing programs and they're run by amazing people. The more, the merrier."

Haven in the Hollow is a first-stage housing program or transition shelter for people hoping to get into stable housing. It has emergency shelter for 20 men, five women and a family unit, and includes space for people with limited mobility.

"An individual is teamed up with a case manager, and they come up with a care plan and goals," said Lapointe.

Last year, 197 people were set up in stable housing, about one-third of clients that came through the shelter, he said. Many others were referred to treatment centres for drug and concurrent disorders.

"We'd like the numbers [for housing] to be higher, but people are not always ready. But we will be there when they are ready," he said.

The complex includes the MCS food centre, which supplies free food hampers through the week, and low-cost items on Fridays - 25 cents for a tin of food for example - to low-income residents. The open house is on from noon to 3 p.m. For shelter information call 604-820-9008. Haven in the Hollow faces the Lougheed Highway, but its address is 32646 Logan Ave., Mission.

CToth@abbotsfordtimes.com