I found this article recently on the number of homeless people who suffer from mental illness in California. If you've been following the news lately, you might know that there are many Californian cities struggling with homelessness. In fact, earlier this month, the city of Los Angeles declared a state of emergency over homelessness.
What struck me is the number of people who are homeless who also suffer from mental health issues. It's a vicious circle. Dealing with mental health can be one of the factors that leads to homelessness, but once homeless, it makes it so much more difficult to cope with that mental health challenge.
At Shepherds of Good Hope we are partnered up with various organizations like Ottawa Inner City Health and Canadian Mental Health Association to ensure that together we deliver the care needs for homeless men and women in Ottawa who are also struggling with mental health issues.
We know for some that the road to more independent housing might take a little longer. But that's okay. We're there every step of the way with them, ensuring they get the care they need.
If you would like more information about what we do at Shepherds of Good Hope, please don't hesitate to contact me at 613-789-8210, ext. 247 or asilverman@shepherdsofgoodhope.com.
To make a donation to one of our many programs and services that help 1,600 men and women every day, please visit our donation page.
Showing posts with label mental health. Show all posts
Showing posts with label mental health. Show all posts
Wednesday, 7 October 2015
Tuesday, 21 July 2015
A good day at the Good Day Workshop
Last week I stopped in at the Good Day Workshop at the Bronson Centre.
Run by Shepherds of Good Hope, the GDW has been around for almost 20 years. It's probably one of Ottawa's best kept secrets. The participants in the program, with the help of volunteers and a couple of staffers, refinish furniture. (They also make wood products but that's for a future blog post).
It might be an old kitchen chair, a wooden desk, a bookshelf or a hutch that someone's grandmother gave them. Whatever it is, it has sentimental value to the people who bring it in. Some of it is in pretty bad shape. Our participants bring it back to life.
When I was there, I saw a little table. It had a beautiful finish. The legs had wonderful detail. It was obvious this was an old table and meant something to someone. Luckily enough, I got to meet the man who owned the table when he showed up to take it home. He was ecstatic at how the table turned out. The table had been in his wife's family for a long time. All the scuffs and scratches had been repaired and the detail in the wood had been cleaned up. It was a night and day transformation.
He admitted he had never heard of GDW until a friend mentioned us. He was impressed not only with the quality of the work, but also with how this type of enterprise helps so many people. He felt good that he was able to get a sentimental piece of furniture refinished, to see it restored to its true beauty, but he also felt good about how GDW helps people who are struggling. Many of the participants don't have easy access to jobs. They might have a physical disability or a mental illness and/or suffer from an addiction.
The philosophy of the program is simple. Every day for each participant should be a good day. What I saw that day left not doubt that it was a good day for everyone.
But we do need help. We are looking for volunteers who have wood working experience. If you're interested, or you know someone who has those skills, please contact us. If you want to know more about the Good Day Workshop, please visit the program page. You can also reach me at 613-789-8210, Ext. 247 or at asilverman@shepherdsofgoodhope.com.
Here are some photos from the Good Day Workshop.
Run by Shepherds of Good Hope, the GDW has been around for almost 20 years. It's probably one of Ottawa's best kept secrets. The participants in the program, with the help of volunteers and a couple of staffers, refinish furniture. (They also make wood products but that's for a future blog post).
It might be an old kitchen chair, a wooden desk, a bookshelf or a hutch that someone's grandmother gave them. Whatever it is, it has sentimental value to the people who bring it in. Some of it is in pretty bad shape. Our participants bring it back to life.
When I was there, I saw a little table. It had a beautiful finish. The legs had wonderful detail. It was obvious this was an old table and meant something to someone. Luckily enough, I got to meet the man who owned the table when he showed up to take it home. He was ecstatic at how the table turned out. The table had been in his wife's family for a long time. All the scuffs and scratches had been repaired and the detail in the wood had been cleaned up. It was a night and day transformation.
He admitted he had never heard of GDW until a friend mentioned us. He was impressed not only with the quality of the work, but also with how this type of enterprise helps so many people. He felt good that he was able to get a sentimental piece of furniture refinished, to see it restored to its true beauty, but he also felt good about how GDW helps people who are struggling. Many of the participants don't have easy access to jobs. They might have a physical disability or a mental illness and/or suffer from an addiction.
The philosophy of the program is simple. Every day for each participant should be a good day. What I saw that day left not doubt that it was a good day for everyone.
But we do need help. We are looking for volunteers who have wood working experience. If you're interested, or you know someone who has those skills, please contact us. If you want to know more about the Good Day Workshop, please visit the program page. You can also reach me at 613-789-8210, Ext. 247 or at asilverman@shepherdsofgoodhope.com.
Here are some photos from the Good Day Workshop.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)