Join us for the 2026 edition of Coldest Night of the Year!

Join the Board of Directors

Help drive meaningful change for people experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and mental health challenges.

Organizational Overview

St-James Drop-In Centre is a community-based organization dedicated to supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and mental health challenges. Through a welcoming, low-barrier approach, St-James provides essential services, emotional support, and creative and economic opportunities to people who are often excluded from traditional systems of care.

Our Mission

To provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive community space where individuals experiencing homelessness and mental health challenges can access essential services, creative healing programs, and pathways toward greater stability and autonomy.

Call for Board Members

St-James Drop-In Centre is recruiting committed, equity-driven individuals to join our Board of Directors. We are seeking people who bring expertise in strategic thinking, fundraising, crisis/risk management and social enterprise development—and who are motivated to help guide the organization through a period of deepening community need and opportunity.

We are especially looking for board members who care deeply about:

  • Individuals experiencing homelessness or housing instability

  • People living with mental health challenges

  • Adults facing social and economic exclusion

  • Community members seeking connection, dignity, and meaningful engagement

This is an opportunity for those who want to address the housing and food insecurity crisis in a meaningful way and who thrive when tackling complex problems with compassion, creativity, and courage.

We're looking for board members who demonstrate:

Values & Commitment

  • A strong sense of empathy and social justice

  • Dedication to reducing barriers and advancing equity

  • Respect for diverse lived experiences and approaches

Governance & Strategic Skills

  • Ability to think strategically and consider long-term organizational impact

  • Comfort balancing mission, operational realities, and financial sustainability

  • Experience in board governance or leadership roles (an asset, not a requirement)

Collaborative Leadership

  • Willingness to ask hard questions with kindness and purpose

  • Comfort making decisions in complex and uncertain contexts

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills

  • Openness to learning, co-creation, and dialogue

Community Connection

  • Appreciation for grassroots, harm-reduction, and low-barrier environments

  • Sensitivity to the stigma surrounding homelessness and mental health

  • Interest in contributing to a welcoming and inclusive organizational culture

Time Commitment

  • Board meetings: Monthly

  • Committee meetings: TBC

  • Estimated time commitment: 6–10 hours per month

Application process

  1. Fill out the online application form and submit a brief cover letter outlining your interest and relevant experience by February 22nd 2026.

  2. The Nominating Committee will review all applications.

  3. Selected candidates will be invited to an interview.

  4. A shortlist will be recommended to the Board for formal adoption at an upcoming board meeting.

  5. Successful candidates will participate in an onboarding process and join their first board meeting in early March 2026.

How to apply

CLICK HERE to apply online.

For questions about the recruitment process, please email us.

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