Community in Kanata Steps Up

Last year around this time I was very excited to when Kanata Legion Branch 638 contacted me about adding a leaf to the Tree of Hope at Hope Living in Kanata. The Legion had heard about the building and the campaign to make it into comfortable and safe home for the 99 men and women who live there.

When the Legion contacted me this year to ask how things were coming and I told them that they campaign was just over 50% complete they immediately pledged to add another leaf to the tree! When they came in to put up their leaf, everyone was beaming because residents know that each leaf on the Tree is a reminder that they are not alone and that the community continues to care about them.

Thank you so much to everyone at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 638!

If you want to learn more about how you can make a pledge in support of the Tree of Hope Campaign please contact Micah Garten, mgarten@shepherdsofgoodhope.com or 613-789-8210 x 241

Durwin

I just wanted to share with you a touching story about the success of one of our residents, Durwin.

It has been over one year since Hope Living moved to Kanata and life for Durwin couldn’t be better! When Durwin first came to Shepherds of Good Hope he was very introspective and did not relate well to others. He stayed in his room most of the time and did not speak to many people at all. Then a big change happened. The Hope Living program, along with Durwin left the chaotic downtown core and took residence at 145 Castlefrank Road in Kanata.

Slowly, Durwin came out of his shell. He said he was more relaxed in this new environment because the suburbs were quieter. He got away from the drugs and alcohol so prevalent on the streets of the inner core of the city and was able to concentrate on creating a better life for himself. The first thing he did was learn the bus routes so he could do his shopping and buy his food. After years of not playing piano he sat down at the piano in the residence and surprised everyone with his skill. The staff were thrilled and the other residents were pleased to hear this beautiful music coming from Durwin.

He also decided to learn a trade that would help him find work and so he chose bookkeeping. Durwin then did correspondence for the lessons in bookkeeping and studied quite hard. When he felt ready, he wrote exams and scored a whopping 83%! Durwin is now a certified bookkeeper. Durwin also keeps busy working in the residence tuck shop and emptying the vending machines and counting the money.

Durwin’s world has completely changed and so has Durwin. He is a new man with purpose, direction and goals. In this new environment and with continued encouragement from staff Durwin has no other place to go but up.

Hope Living 1st Anniversary Party

 


Today I attended the 1 year anniversary BBQ at Hope Living in Kanata. We were blessed with absolutely perfect weather for the occasion. It was so nice to see clients and their families mingling with staff members, community partners and longtime supporters. Everyone pitched in to help make the event a big success. The food was tasty and I kept hearing what a good time people were having. Some attendees were seeing the facility for the first time and got to hear directly from clients what an amazing impact the space has made in their lives.

If you are interested in learning more about Hope Living or wish to tour the facility please contact Micah Garten.

Another Leaf on the Tree of Hope

In honour of the wonderful weather that we have been having these past couple of weeks and the summer to come, I wanted to share with you another donation to our Tree of Hope Campaign.  Just as the leaves are growing on the trees outside, the leaves are also growing on the Tree of Hope symbolizing just how much this community cares for the men and women that reside at Hope Living.

Harry Needham and George Royale from the Canadian Legion Branch 638 visited our newest location in Kanata to tour the facility and put their very own Leaf of Hope on the tree.

 

The goal of this tree is to raise $500,000 for our new location in Kanata to give the place a facelift and make it more enjoyable for residents, staff and volunteers.  A donor can purchase a leaf on the tree for $2,500 and their message of hope will be forever immortalized on the wall at Hope Living in Kanata.  

 

If you would like to purchase a leaf, or make a pledge online, please click here https://foundation.shepherdsofgoodhope.com/tree

 

Or if you would like to speak with someone about your options or for more information, please call Micah Garten at 613-789-8210 ext 241 or email micah@shepherdsofgoodhope.com

 

 

My Tutor

My Tutor is an Ottawa based tutoring company that donates $1 for every hour spent on tutoring to charity!  Even better news is that they have decided that Shepherds of Good Hope will be the recipient of one dollar for each hour of tutoring.  The money will go to our newest building Hope Living in Kanata.

 

Please take a moment to check out the My Tutor website, and sign up if you or someone you know is in need of a tutor!  Not only will you receive superb training, but you will also be giving back to Ottawa's most vulnerable men and women.

 

Thanks My Tutor!

Thanks Target!

I would like to thank our partners in the community, Target out in Kanata for their extremely generous donations to Hope Living residence.   Because of their kindness we have actually cancelled grocery orders (meaning more money for other areas of the program), they've stocked us full of bread and milk and other items on a regular basis.

Earlier this week I stopped by to present them with a certificate and to thank them for all they do for our residents out in Kanata.

Thank you!

Presenting a certificate to Crystal (L) and Pat (R)

Tree of Hope

This afternoon I will be heading out to Kanata to post some more leaves on our Tree of Hope located at our Hope Living facility.  The Tree of Hope is  located in the front foyer of our building for all those entering the building to see.  Each leaf is a wonderful, permanent reminder of the care and compassion others feel for the residents of Hope Living.  Our goal is to raise $500,000 for much needed upgrades to the facility.

One of the inspiring messages that I will be posting on the tree today is: "Everybody Needs A Home.  Everybody Deserves A Home".  Such a true statement that Shepherds of Good Hope stands by.

To find out more about our TREE OF HOPE, click HERE.