Our Story
Street Level Advocacy was founded in 2021 by Rev. Scott Couper after more than 30 years serving as a pastor and community leader. After receiving a Bachelor of Theology from Eastern Pentecostal Bible College in Peterborough in 1990 and spending 3 decades working with people through local church ministry and outreach, Scott felt called to take action beyond the walls of the church and directly into the streets. Through personal encounters with people experiencing homelessness, addiction, poverty, isolation, and hardship, Scott witnessed the urgent need for compassion, support, and human connection. What began as simple conversations, acts of kindness, and helping people one-on-one quickly grew into a larger mission focused on meeting people where they are.
Street Level Advocacy was built on faith, service, and the belief that every person is created in the image of God and therefore has unlimited value and is deserving of dignity. Guided by this conviction and a heart for people often overlooked or forgotten, the organization continues to provide food, outreach, advocacy, essential supplies, and practical support to those in need throughout the community.
Today, Street Level Advocacy is powered by an amazing Team of volunteers, community partnerships, and people who believe that real change begins through compassion, action, and showing up for others. Today, Scott continues to hold ministerial credentials as an Ordained Minister with the PAOC and functions as an "Urban Missionary" with Mission Canada in Peterborough, Ontario. He is also privileged to serve as the volunteer Chaplain for the Peterborough Police Service since August of 2021.
Scott raises all his own financial support as a missionary and speaks in Churches all across Ontario. Our mission is entirely funded by private donors and churches and receives absolutely no government funding. Street Level Advocacy became a registered charity with the CRA in January of 2025 (#73857 7758 RR0001). As of January 2026, we have one part time employee, Andrew Williamson, and all other donations go directly into supplies and operations.
