For years, my wife Tammy and I have been deeply moved by the work Cyrus Centre does to care for the youth of our city. During my 18 years as a volunteer on the Cyrus Centre board, I never tired of hearing stories of how young lives were being transformed – families being reunited, youth finding healing and wholeness.
“There’s a deep connection between hospitality and healing, which is no coincidence. The words “hospitality” and “hospital” share the same Latin root, and both lead to the same result: healing.“
Two years ago, I had the opportunity to join the team as a staff chaplain. This role brought me closer to the front lines, where I could witness firsthand the incredible hospitality that Cyrus Centre staff and volunteers extend to every young person who walks through our doors. From the moment they arrive, they are greeted with warmth and compassion—a true embodiment of the word “hospitality,” which in Greek is made up of two words: “to love” and “stranger.”
At Cyrus Centre, hospitality begins with the basics: a warm meal, dry clothes, a hot shower, and a safe place to sleep. As a father and grandfather, nothing brings me more joy than seeing youth settle down for a nap after a big lunch, resting in peace and safety, free from the fear of exploitation.
But hospitality at Cyrus Centre goes far beyond meeting immediate needs. It’s about building relationships, earning trust, and standing in the gap for youth who have nowhere else to turn. Our staff become advocates, linking these young people with the services they need—whether it’s returning to school (with a packed lunch from Cyrus staff) or finding safe housing and employment. We’ve even hosted a few baby showers along the way, celebrating new beginnings with our youth as they start families of their own.
There’s a deep connection between hospitality and healing, which is no coincidence. The words “hospitality” and “hospital” share the same Latin root, and both lead to the same result: healing. At Cyrus Centre, we believe that by loving the stranger, we are not just offering a temporary respite—we are helping facilitate the healing of wounds of the past and paving the way for a brighter future.
In every interaction, every meal served, and every bed made, we see the power of hospitality at work. And it’s this simple yet profound act of loving the stranger that lies at the heart of everything we do at Cyrus Centre.
Dave has recently taken on the position of Cyrus Centre’s Staff Chaplain. He has volunteered on the Cyrus board of directors since 2005 with a 40-year background in church leadership and business management. Dave and his wife, Tammy have been cheering for Cyrus Centre since its inception.