What does "Los Silverados" mean? "Los" = "The" "Silverados" = "People with silver in their hair, silver in their teeth, and a little silver in their pockets. AND who are looking for life's silver lining" When and why was Los Silverados founded? Los Silverados was founded in 1997 with the goal of raising money for Toronto's Yonge Street Mission (YSM), an organization dedicated to helping people experiencing poverty and homelessness. The idea is organize a fun and enjoyable way of lending a hand, hence our motto “Make a contribution and enjoy the ride." What do Los Silverados do? We ride motorcycles, golf, watch TV, and help local charities reach their goals. In Toronto, we have fed the kids at Evergreen as well as men experiencing homelessness at the Community Centre. We have partied at the Silver Moon Ball and attended Toronto's annual Golf Tournament. We have sold ornaments, collected clothing, volunteered our time and expertise, and have supported groups trying to make a difference among the poor and marginalized. Los Silverados Members - Over 1,000 We currently have over 1,000 (non) members from across Canada, the US, Europe, and Israel. Our members include a broad spectrum of individuals from minimum-wage earners to millionaires, from ditch diggers to doctors, from golfers to couch potatoes! Los Silverados Opens an Ottawa Chapter! In 2009, Los Silverados established an Ottawa association. We will provide the same fun-filled activities as our sister organization in Toronto and will extend our aid locally to help reach out to street engaged youth on the streets of Ottawa in conjunction with Ottawa Innercity Ministries. About Ottawa Innercity Ministries Since 1988, Ottawa Innercity Ministries (OIM) has been serving people who happen to be poor and homeless in the downtown core. OIM is a registered interdenominational Christian charity that exists on free will offerings and donations. OIM does not receive on-ongoing government funding. The vision of OIM is to empower people who are disadvantaged and homeless: to meet their needs and to address and prevent the causes of poverty and homelessness with justice and compassion. Some of OIM's services include street outreach, an all-ages drop-in, a street youth art program, work skills development, advocacy, referrals, telephone and computer access, and much more. OIM's street friends are from all backgrounds and cultures. They range in age from the cradle to the grave, children with children, runaway teens, kids fleeing domestic violence and abuse, and all who for one reason or another have made the streets their homes. OIM offers practical help and hope. By identifying and engaging people’s skills and talents, staff and volunteers at OIM hope to help street friends attain to a higher quality of life, become a part of community and break free from the cycle of poverty.