Our story
Born from a single act of kindness.
Hope For People In Pain began not with a grand plan, but with one person who couldn't walk past suffering without doing something about it. That instinct — to stop, to help, to stay — is still at the heart of everything we do.
2009
Year founded
10,000+
Meals served
1,500
People supported
2,000+
Hotline calls answered
How it all started.
In 2009, our founder was walking home when she stopped to share her lunch with a man sleeping in a doorway. They talked for an hour. She learned his name, his story, and how he'd ended up there. She went home changed.
Within a year, she had recruited a handful of volunteers, secured a donated kitchen space, and was serving hot meals on the weekends. Word spread. More people came — not just to eat, but to help.
Today, Hope For People In Pain operates year-round, serving tens of thousands of meals, running a 24-hour crisis hotline, and supporting people through detox and recovery. The name of the man in the doorway was Memphys. He volunteers with us every Saturday.
Our mission
“To meet every person in pain with dignity, compassion, and practical help — no matter who they are, where they've been, or what they're going through.”
What we stand for
People Placing Love
Dignity first
Every person who walks through our doors is treated with the same respect we'd want for ourselves or our family.
No judgement
We don't ask how you got here. We only ask what you need. Our role is to help, not to evaluate.
Radical presence
We show up — consistently, reliably, and without conditions. When you need us, we are there.
Community over charity
We don't help from a distance. We sit at the same table, share the same food, and build real relationships.
The people behind the mission
Our team is made up of social workers, cooks, counsellors, former recipients of our services, and everyday people who decided to do something. We are proud of every single one of them.
Keisla Cheeks-Jordan
Founder & Executive Director
Keisla started Hope For People In Pain after a chance encounter changed her life. She leads with empathy, grit, and an unshakeable belief that no one is beyond hope.
Cleophus Jordan
Director of Operations
Cleophus keeps the wheels turning — from kitchen logistics to volunteer scheduling. He joined as a volunteer in 2012 and never left.
Mohamed Ahmed
Head of Detox Support
A licensed counsellor with 15 years of experience in addiction recovery, Mohamed brings clinical expertise and deep compassion to our most vulnerable clients.
Want to be part of the story?
Whether you need help, want to volunteer, or simply want to learn more — we'd love to hear from you.