Al Tysick

Al Tysick grew up on welfare with a violent alcoholic father, a devout mother, and three younger sisters. He acquired a BSc, despite his struggle with dyslexia, and initially worked at the National Research Council in the mechanical engineering department. Feeling a call to be ordained in the church, he received a BA in religious studies and then went to McGill University for a B.Th., later being ordained by the United Church of Canada. Following ten years of paid ministry near Ottawa, he left...See more

Al Tysick grew up on welfare with a violent alcoholic father, a devout mother, and three younger sisters. He acquired a BSc, despite his struggle with dyslexia, and initially worked at the National Research Council in the mechanical engineering department. Feeling a call to be ordained in the church, he received a BA in religious studies and then went to McGill University for a B.Th., later being ordained by the United Church of Canada. Following ten years of paid ministry near Ottawa, he left it to establish The House of Lazarus in a pocket of rural poverty in Dundela, Ontario. He served without salary, being fed at the table of the poor. After five years there, he was called by the United Church of Canada to be the Executive Director of The Open Door, a ministry in Victoria among the homeless. This was followed by service leading the newly established Our Place Society centre in Victoria, providing a wide range of services to the homeless. At the age of 65, he spent time with a modern-day prophet named Vince, an Inuit who had lived in a doorway on the street for most of his adult life. After some time, Vince said, "Rev, it's time for you to leave Our Place and come to the street to begin your holy calling." With that, Al retired from Our Place and established the Dandelion Society, a small but effective outreach service working directly on the street with the most seriously disadvantaged, the addicted, and the mentally ill. Rev. Al, as he is known on the streets of Victoria, has served those in need throughout his life, offering unconditional love in a nonjudgmental way to all. He gives thanks to his street family for having the courage to push him into the muddy water of faith! See less