All the way from down under

We had a special visitor this week all the way from the land down under.

Kate Dolan is a professor and researcher with the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre at the University of South Wales. She is travelling across Canada and the U.S. to research managed alcohol programs.

The best way to think of MAP is to see it as a harm reduction program. Men and women who have severe chronic alcoholism make up the program. They have a dedicated spot at Shepherds of Good Hope on the second floor. It's where they sleep. It's where they can socialize with other members of the program.

Each day they get a drink every hour on the half hour from early morning right into the evening. It's a way to manage their alcohol intake. So you can see that the title of the program is pretty self explanatory. But before they start the program, they're assessed. The idea is to manage their alcohol in a controlled, medically supervised environment so that their health isn't more negatively impacted than what it already is from years of excessive drinking. The idea is to reduce harm.

There's another way of looking at MAP. It saves money for the healthcare system. When someone suffers from severe chronic alcoholism, they end up in hospital more often. Their behaviour is more unpredictable. But when they're in MAP, their health is stabilized. It even improves and there are fewer hospital visits.

Some people get hung up on the idea of harm reduction. After all, don't we want to accomplish more than just reduce harm? If the participant is willing, we'll help. But it's not a requirement. Sometimes you have to look at where a person started from in order to truly appreciate where they are today. I can tell you that MAP has turned people's lives around for the better.

When Kate toured our program, she was impressed not only with the harm reduction strategy but with the cost savings to the healthcare system. Kate is one of many researchers/experts who come to Shepherds of Good Hope to study what we do. I hope she returns to Australia with lots of sound ideas on how to help the homeless population there.

If you want to read more about MAP, you can at our programs and services page on our website. I've also provided a link to our donation page if you would like to help the men and women we serve.

Less Than A Week Away!

A Taste for Hope is less than week away!  It promises to be the event of the season and we would love for you to be there! 

Superb chefs serving sumptuous, specialty dishes will delight your palate and a selection of fine wines, local beers and exciting, new cocktail temptations will be sure to make this elegant evening memorable. Don’t forget to take part in the thrill of both silent and live auctions with one-of-kind auction items.

All proceeds from this event will support the over 1600 men and women who come through Shepherds of Good Hope doors every day.

A Taste for Hope

Jean Pigott Hall, Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West (Ottawa) Wednesday, March 25, 6pm to 9 pm

$150.00 Each ticket will receive a $100.00 tax receipt.

Get Your Tickets Here

With more than 18 chefs, including:

Jonathan Korecki

Sidedoor & Restaurant 18

Jonathan - or Chef Jonny - was born into a family of food and farmers, spending his youth with his hands in the earth producing vegetables and an arms distance from an apron pickling, preserving and jamming.  After cooking through the country from his hometown of Caledon, Ont. to Vancouver he enlisted to Le Cordon Bleu Ottawa where he studied classical french cuisine.  Working in the acclaimed Henry Burger, then apprenticing under Susur Lee in Toronto he became familiar with Asian flavours and combinations. This brought together his first executive chef position opening the acclaimed Sidedoor in Ottawa’s byward market. After honing his skills as a chef he took the executive chef position of CAA 4 diamond Restaurant 18 as well.

Who Else Will Be There?

There will also be some fabulous auction items!  We have something for everyone!

• Golf Packages
• Airline Tickets
• Train Tickets
• Restaurant Certificates
• Jewellery
• Autographed Sens Jersey
• Artwork
• Spa Packages

And Much More!

Don't miss out on this wonderful event that you'll be talking about all year! 

Get Your Tickets Here!

Get More Info Here!

Try Something New!

There isn’t much time left to get tickets for Shepherds of Good Hope 3rd annual A Taste for Hope! This glamorous affair promises to excite your taste buds from the sumptuous offerings from some of Ottawa’s finest chefs. 

This year we have an additional treat – two brand new restaurants, North & Navy and Share Freehouse will be on board for your delight serving up their specialty dishes!

North of 7 distillery will also have their full line of products on hand for your enjoyment.
That is not all.  Wait until you see the great items at the silent auction table and take part in the exciting live auction!

Enjoy an evening like no other while helping support the great work at Shepherds of Good Hope and by showing our clients that they have not been forgotten.

Jean Pigott Hall, Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West (Ottawa) Wednesday, March 25, 6pm to 9 pm

$150.00 Each ticket will receive a $100.00 tax receipt.

Get Your Tickets Here

 

Featuring Amazing Newcomers:

North & Navy

 
Located in an iconic culinary building on Nepean Street, Chef Adam Vetterol and his business partner, Chris Schlesak have just opened one of the most unique Italian inspired restaurants to appear on Ottawa's food scene.  

The restaurant space has been transformed into a comfortable, casually elegant space, perfect for sharing time and food with friends.  A new window into the kitchen allows diners to connect with the culinary team and the service staff, led by Schlesak, is outstanding.

The food is very unique.  Influenced by other south-eastern european traditions, Vetterol's expression of Northern Italian family meals is comforting and powerful.  

North of 7 Distillery

 

How did two Ontario boys, Greg Lipin and Jody Miall, develop a love and appreciation of small-batch bourbon, so much so that they conspired to open a first of its kind micro distillery in Ottawa?The connection seems incongruous, but in truth it was their love of rock climbing. Both are long time, avid rock climbers who regularly travel down into the hollers of Kentucky on climbing trips.  It was there they developed an appreciation for the ‘brown spirits.’  This love led to the touring of distilleries in the region, and the purchasing and enjoying of many different types of bourbon and other american whiskies.

In the true artisan spirit, every level of production is handled in-house, including mashing and fermentation, distilling, barrel aging, bottling, and packaging.

Their unique line of hand-crafted spirits includes whisky, rum, gin, and vodka.
 

Our Friend Chef Danny Mongeon is Opening a New Restaurant!

Share Freehouse

Born and raised in Ottawa, Chef Danny Mongeon began cooking at the age of thirteen for Neil Tully, executive chef of Friday's Roast Beef House. Neil took Danny under his wing and began to teach him the ways of the kitchen.
This experience proved to be very educational and rewarding. Danny felt his vocation was a career in cooking.

After working under some of Ottawa's greatest Chefs, Danny helped open Brut Cantina Sociale in downtown Hull.  The restaurant was an instant hit and helped Mongeon gain the confidence to open his own restaurant.  Soon, Hooch was conceptualized.  Mongeon's take on southern cuisine, seafood and raw plates stunned diners when the doors opened.  His creative menu changed frequently and was paired with craft cocktails and small batch bourbon whiskey.

"I really can relate to this important cause, said Chef Mongeon.  There was a time in my youth when I witnessed the good things the Shepherds of Good Hope do.  I'm proud to help them raise money to continue their work."

Danny will be opening a new restaurant in April called Share Freehouse.  Watch for news about how he turns Ottawa dining on it's ear again.

Get Your Tickets Here!

Get More Info Here!

 

 

 

Bytown Chefs Collective

The Bytown Chefs Collective is a new collaborative initiative created by a group of Ottawa Chefs that are focused on creating unique dining experiences in the National Capital.  They will be at A Taste for Hope on March 25th in support of the most vulnerable in our community!

Come join us for Shepherds of Good Hope 3rd Annual A Taste for Hope! This glamorous affair promises to excite your taste buds from the sumptuous offerings from some of Ottawa’s finest chefs. Enjoy the atmosphere and listen to bluesy jazz as you sample fine wines and local beers.  That is not all,  wait until you see the great items at the silent auction table and be part of the exhilaration created from the live auction.

Enjoy an evening like no other while helping support the great work at Shepherds of Good Hope and by showing our clients that they have not been forgotten.

Jean Pigott Hall, Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West (Ottawa) 

Wednesday, March 25, 6pm to 9 pm

$150.00 Each ticket will receive a $100.00 tax receipt.

 

Get Your Tickets Here

 

Three fantastic members of the Bytown Chefs Collective that will be in attendance are:

 Chef Stephen La Salle, The Albion Rooms

Chef Stephen La Salle is a proud Ottawa native. After studying at Algonquin College and working in area restaurants, in 2012 he joined the team at Novotel Ottawa to open The Albion Rooms in his first chef position in March 2013. 
Chef La Salle strives to showcase the region and contemporary Canadian cuisine at The Albion Rooms, in 2014 he was selected as one of Ottawa’s top 10 and competed at the Gold Medal Plates Ottawa culinary competition.

Chef Ian Carswell, KW Catering

Having grown up in Petawawa, Ian Carswell found his love of the kitchen lifestyle at Nippissing College, where he worked part- time at a family diner. After apprenticing in North Bay, Ottawa and Toronto, he went to Europe. “I had amazing experiences there, particularly at Helsinki’s Chez Dominique, ranked in the top 25 restaurants in the world. It was intense – I worked 100 hours a week but I learned so much.”

Ian landed at Absinthe Café when he returned to Ottawa and he moved next to K.W. Catering where he quickly rose to become executive chef. At just 29 years of age, Ian enjoys the responsibility of running the National Gallery’s busy kitchen, serving up a blend of classical French cuisine with modernist touches.

 Chef Kyle Mortimer-Proulx, Lowertown Brewery

Kyle got his earliest cooking lessons from his mother, who believed everyone should know their way around the kitchen. Getting his first kitchen job at age 15, Kyle knew then what he wanted to do: become a chef.

After graduating from Algonquin College's chef training program, Kyle began working as a cook at the Brookstreet Hotel, first under Chef Michael Blackie and later with Chef Clifford Lyness. He rose quickly through the ranks to become Sous-chef.

In 2012, Kyle left Brookstreet to become Chef de cuisine at ZenKitchen. Following Chef Caroline's departure in February, 2013, Kyle was named ZenKitchen Executive Chef.

Most recently, Kyle became Executive Chef at Lowertown Brewery a new Brew house and creative kitchen in the Byward Market.

Get Your Tickets Here!

Get More Info Here!

Meet The Chefs!

Would you like to spend a fantastic evening in the company of some of Ottawa’s finest chefs all in the name of helping the homeless?

A Taste for Hope is an extraordinary culinary event in celebration of Shepherds of Good Hope’s service to the most vulnerable men and women in our community.  You will be able to sample dishes prepared by many talented local Ottawa chefs ranging from signature creations to the exotic, as well as fine wines and local beers. All proceeds from this event will be used to serve the 1,600 men and women that come through our doors every day.

Jean Pigott Hall, Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West (Ottawa) 

Wednesday, March 25, 6pm to 9 pm

$150.00 Each ticket will receive a $100.00 tax receipt.

FIND OUT MORE HERE!

Some of the amazing chefs in attendance will be:

 Chef Jason Laurin, Essence Catering

A Cordon Bleu Cuisine and Pastry graduate, Chef Jason Laurin has been honing his craft for over 20 years. Having worked in Montreal, Toronto and Dallas before arriving in Ottawa, he brings his food memories from each of his stops along his career journey. His contemporary style is based in classical training. Chef Jason is able to design and execute menus that reflect the unique qualities and tastes of each of Essence Catering’s clients.

Chef Briana Kim, Café My House

Chef/Owner Briana Kim opened her plant-based restaurant Cafe My House in winter 2009 in hopes to provide creative and approachable vegan food to people who wouldn't normally seek out a vegan restaurant. The new location in Hintonburg focuses in seasonal, changing menu, tasty artisanal cocktails & fun special events like Speakeasy Night, Nut Cheese & Wine event & Pizza and Beer Night.

 Chef John Morris, NAC

Chef John Morris was born in Bathgate, Scotland, and raised in Ontario. John, who has been cooking for more than 18 years, began his career as an apprentice at the Kananaskis Lodge in Alberta. He was a key part of the team who achieved the CAA Four Diamond awarded to Perspectives restaurant at the Brookstreet Hotel in Ottawa. Later, after a culinary stage in Bermuda, John joined the team at Caesars Hotel and Casino in Windsor. He was executive sous chef at the Ottawa Marriott Hotel prior to joining the National Arts Centre in 2009, the same year he received the 2009 Gold Medal Escoffier Society of Toronto Culinary Salon.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE!

FIND OUT MORE HERE!

Mitzvah Day 2015

Mitzvah Day is a day when a group of people get together and volunteer and perform good deeds in the community. 
David Smith from Creative Kosher Catering and his staff decided that they wanted to come down to our soup kitchen and serve an amazing dinner to those in our care.  All the clients in the shelter as well as residents from our downtown supportive living programs were served a delicious meal of smoked meat, potatoes, salad and dessert.  We are incredibly grateful to David and his staff for sharing their passion of food with this city's most vulnerable population.

Creative Kosher Catering to Serve on Mitzvah Day

David Smith from Creative Kosher Catering Serving for Mitzvah Day

Shepherds of Good Hope is pleased to announce that in honour of Mitzvah Day David Smith from Creative Kosher Catering is coming with dinner and his staff to serve the shelter dinner at their Soup Kitchen at 233 Murray Street on February 8^th from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm.

Creative Kosher Catering is a premier catering company in Ottawa and has been the catering company of choice for many high profile events across the city.

David Smith said, “On this Mitzvah Day it is the Jewish values of kindness towards others that have brought me here to serve the less fortunate without judgment or reward.”

Anna Silverman commented, “David Smith has been a big supporter of Shepherds of Good Hope and continues to support our efforts with donations of wonderfully prepared food at every opportunity.  For this we are extremely grateful.”

For further information: contact Anna Silverman (613) 293-1003.

Thank You Shopify our Newest Community Partner

Shopify is truly an Ottawa success story, having grown in less than 10 years into one of the largest E-Commerce companies in the world! But we are very grateful that they have never forgotten their roots and have chosen to support the Shepherds of Good Hope in a variety of ways over the years.

That is why I was so pleased to have Richard and Tim from Shopify come for a visit and accept a Community Partner certificate on behalf of the company. As part of the kitchen team, Tim and Richard have ensured that any leftover food from Shopify's new Elgin St location has made its way to our Soup Kitchen and in the process they have provided thousands of meals for hungry men and women.

A big thank you to everyone at Shopify for all that you have done for the community and we look forward to continuing to develop a partnership in the years to come.

MaxSys

Today we had a surprise visit from Robert Kearney from MaxSys to spread some holiday cheer and present us with a cheque to help those we serve this holiday season!

Always great to have such thoughtful neighbours pop in!

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?

 

Anchor ClimateCare

A big THANK YOU to Anchor ClimateCare for thinking of those we serve this holiday season!

The gang at Anchor have decided to make their own fun version of the song "Let It Snow" and want to release a video of themselves singing the song, with proceeds going to Shepherds of Good Hope.

That is such a great and fun idea! We love it.  For every donation that Anchor raises for Shepherds of Good Hope, they will match it up to $500, for a total donation of $1000!

Here's their version of the song:

 To make a donation to their cause, please click HERE

If your workplace would like to raise money for those less fortunate, please contact Lauren at lskippen@shepherdsofgoodhope.com or 613-789-8210 and she will be happy to set up a donation page for you.