Bringing People Together at Christmas

I have some thoughts that I would like to share with you about the organization that I am proud to work for.


Shepherds of Good Hope over the years has evolved into many things to many people.  We offer refuge from life on the street.  We provide nourishment and warm clothing when both are desperately needed.  Just as important, we bring estranged families together again linking the past to the present and we are the caring ears listening with compassion and offering assistance at the lowest points in many people’s lives.

 

Shepherds of Good Hope has always been a sanctuary for the lost and lonely, the outcasts amongst us and those afflicted by mental illness or addictions.




At Christmas, many more individuals and families looking for help come through our doors. The need for food is steadily increasing in this city. There are currently over 400 families every week accessing our grocery program. 

Our Soup Kitchen is constantly churning out meals to meet the ever increasing demand.  In one month, over 3000 breakfasts are prepared for those living in our shelters; 10,500 lunches are prepared for anyone coming  in off the street wishing a noon time meal; 3,750 dinners are made and handed out to the men and women living in our shelters and 9000 people stop in for hot soup and sandwiches at our Evening Drop-in.
We provide a beacon of light in the darkness of misery for over 1600 people a day.

Won’t you consider a gift to help make Christmas brighter for all of the many that come through our doors every day?

 

A Message from Dale Pelletier

Today was the memorial service for one of our long time residents, Ronnie.  Ronnie was a resident in many of our programs, most recently, The Oaks. 

Here are a few words from Dale Pelletier, Manager of The Oaks:

As we celebrate Ronnie’s life today at the Oaks surrounded by family, friends, and members of the community who have worked with Ronnie for many years, we remember the man that he was. Many tears and laughs will be shared, but ultimately, the memories of his life will be what is shared and remembered. Ronnie was a man of great dedication to the cause of managed alcohol, as well as, the Oaks program. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed by his friends and family.

Alcohol Awareness Month

April is Alcohol Awareness Month and it is also a good time to talk about the extremely successful Managed Alcohol Program at Shepherds of Good Hope.  The Managed Alcohol Program introduces a harm reduction approach to helping homeless, hard-core alcoholics stabilize and normalize their lives. 

This very minute population were responsible for using the highest amount of emergency services. It began in 2000 as an answer to the same at-risk population visiting hospital emergency wards repeatedly, being continually incarcerated and being barred from shelters over and over again.  On a more tragic level, one of this population was found in a snowbank unconscious and later had to have the front of his feet removed due to severe frostbite.    Something had to be done.  With the collaborative efforts from the City of Ottawa, Dr. Jeff Turnbull, Ottawa Inner City Health, Ottawa Police Services, local social services and Shepherds of Good Hope, the Managed Alcohol Program was born.

 

By employing a harm reduction methodology we see a dramatic decrease in emergency service calls.  The overall health of the individuals improves because their health concerns have been addressed and they are living a healthier lifestyle. Their addiction needs are met so that they do not need to spend all of their time panhandling to get their drug of choice.  They can experience dignity again. They can now concentrate on building community with each other and the staff and reuniting with family.  They are no longer shunned by society and have become active members of society.  They attend movies, do communal cooking, vote, and even take part in The Terry Fox Race.
A Canadian wide study headed up by the University of Victoria and incorporating other Managed Alcohol Programs across the country is now taking place to assess best practices and what can be done to improve services. 

To find out more, please visit our website HERE