Pops on the Van In 1988, Father Emmett Johns decided to make his lifelong dream come true: he became a missionary. Although he didn't have to leave the country to make this happen, his journey has indeed been a very long one. After 36 years as a priest at various parishes throughout Greater Montreal, he found his calling in the city's downtown streets. He started out by meandering through these streets at night in a used van he bought with his own meager savings in an attempt to make contact with young streetkids in need of a bite to eat and a little human compassion. That's how Le Bon Dieu dans la rue came into being. Soon afterward, the charity's founder, who was 60 at the time, was affectionately nicknamed "Pops" by those he was committed to helping. If one is judged by the strength and depth of his convictions, personal values, undying faithfulness to his friends, selfless generosity, tireless devotion to helping the weak and the poor, then it is safe to say that Father Johns is truly a giant among men. Over the years, Father Emmett Johns' work with street-kids has been acknowledged time and time again. Following is a list of the awards given in honour of his devotion to their cause: 1997 - Concordia University awards Father Johns an honorary doctorate 1997 - Father Johns appears on the Maclean's Honour Roll 1998 - L'Association des médecins psychiatres du Québec presents Father Johns with its humanitarian award 1998 - Father Johns is awarded the Prix québécois de la citoyenneté Anne-Greenup pour la solidarité 1999 - The Police Service of the Montreal Urban Community gives an Award of Excellence to Father Emmett Johns. 1999 - Dans la rue receives the Desjardins Annual Prize for Youth Assistance 1999 - Father Johns is named a Member of the Order of Canada 2001 - Father Johns receives the Prix Droits et Libertés from the Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse. 2002 - Father Johns is inducted into the Académie des Grand Montréalais 2002 - Father Johns celebrates 50 years in the priesthood 2002 - The English Speaking Catholic Council presents Father Johns with the Bishop Crowley Award 2002 - Golden Jubilee Medal - Canadian Governers General 2002 - Simon McDonaugh Humanitarian Award - United Irish Societies of Montreal 2003 - Honorary Doctorate Degree - Université du Québec à Montréal 2003 - Prix de la Santé et du Bien-être social - Order of Quebec psychologists 2003 - Honorary certificate - HEC Montreal / Commerce magazine 2003 - Grand Officier - Ordre National du Québec 2003 - Recipient - Medal of the University of Montreal 2003 - Honorary Doctorate Honoris Causea - McGill University 2004 - Carrier of the Olympic Flamme 2004 - Recipient - Reader's Digest Hero of the Year award 2005 - Honorary Doctorate Honoris Causea - Saint-Paul University 155 teenagers aged 16 or less stayed at the Bunker in 2005.