As 2017 comes to an end, many organizations are reflecting on the past and getting ready for the future.

It was an exciting year for Siloam Mission. They celebrated 30 years of service by opening up a brand new dining hall, which allows people to wait inside instead of standing out in the cold.

Jim Bell, CEO for Siloam Mission, was excited about 2017 but knows there is more work to be done.

"We realize the needs aren't going away," Bell said.

2018 is going to be another exciting year for Siloam as they break ground on the second part of their capital project, which will expand their bed capacity and link the two buildings, so people don't need to go outside. And while Bell says they are in a good spot financially, that doesn't mean they won't continue to need help.

"It doesn't take away from the needs," Bell insisted. "We are tremendously grateful to the community for the [donations] they give us."

Frank Ulrich at Union Gospel Mission has just finished his first calendar year as Executive Director after starting back in March.

"I honestly can say that I felt the prayer of people," Ulrich said about 2017.

Ulrich says that UGM has had a wonderful 2017 and has wonderful volunteers and donors that keep their programs running year-round.

As 2018 approaches, UGM is still looking for gift bags that will be handed out on January 1, 2018. Ulrich says they are still looking for more male gift bags. Things like mitts, deodorant, shaving cream, razors and lip balm are great items to put in the bag.

Ulrich says that UGM is 89% supported and funded by individual donors and they continue to need support on a daily basis.

While Siloam and UGM had successful years, one non-profit had an incredibly interesting 2017, filled with disaster and miracles. 

In May 2017, a pipe burst on City of Winnipeg property and flooded the entire basement at Lighthouse Mission. Joel Cormie, Director for Lighthouse Mission, said that people helped get new appliances and they were able to reopen Lighthouse Mission much sooner than they had expected.

"Many people came through and helped us get back on our feet," Cormie said. "The Lord really took care of us."

Cormie said that wasn't the only story though because before that happened, Lighthouse Mission was anonymously entered into the Manitoba Hydro 'Make Your Charity Shine' contest, which they won. That allowed them to do a $20,000 lighting upgrade, which included replacing the old knob and tube wiring. Lighthouse was able to purchase a better insurance package just one month before the flood.

"[God] knew this was coming and what could have been very devastating ended up being a true blessing for us," Cormie exclaimed.

While Lighthouse was blessed in that way this year, they are still sitting $40,000 short of where they want to be at the end of the year.

Agape Table can definitely challenge Lighthouse for the most interesting 2017. They lost their only stove on November 13, which left them unsure how they would feed the 300 people they serve daily. The community stepped up to help them.

Now, after serving their final Christmas meal in their current location, Agape Table is on the lookout for a new home in 2018. They need to be out by February.

Dave Feniuk, General Manager of Agape Table, says that despite the ups and downs, donations are still above last year, though he says that could be because of the circumstances.

The board of Agape continues to search for a new location.

"[A new place] is what we really need for Christmas," Feniuk.