Very special Christmas cards

When I look at these Christmas cards, it warms my heart. Take a look at these photos. These cards were all made by children who stay at the Holy Family Extended Day program after school.

This is the second year the children have made these cards for us to hand out to the women who live in our shelter and our supportive living facilities.

Thank you so much everyone for working so hard and designing such beautiful cards. I know the women who receive them will really enjoy them.

Christmas can be a very lonely time of the year for the people we care for. Many don't have contact with their families. Christmas for many is just another day on the calendar. But at Shepherds of Good Hope, we want Christmas to be more than just another day on the calendar and this wonderful gift of handmade cards helps us do that.

Great work, everyone!

High rents and the homeless

I was reading an interesting article today that asked the question: Can helping people with their rent stave off homelessness?

Unfortunately, the answer is yes and no. It all depends on whether there are other underlying issues. Without a doubt, there are people who end up at a homeless shelter because they just couldn't find affordable housing. So yes, providing these people with some sort of rent subsidy, or just ensuring there is an adequate supply of affordable housing, would go a long way in keeping these people out of a shelter.

At Shepherds of Good Hope, we care for 1600 men and women every day. The reason they are with us is a lot more complex than their inability to pay rent. That might be one of the issues, but many come to us with mental or physical health challenges. Others suffer from serious addictions. Others have been homeless for so many years that they're not sure how to get back into their own housing even if they had the financial means to do so.

What we do know is if you can provide housing for someone, you have made the first step to addressing their other needs. Stable housing leads to stability for the person. That's what our supportive living and housing first facilities have shown over the years. And for people who might not be ready to live more independently, we have programs at the shelter to help them get to that stage.

So, no, simply providing rent subsidies does not end homelessness for everyone who is living in the shelter.

When I meet with donors or take people on tours, they're always surprised at how complex the issue of homelessness is and how Shepherds of Good Hope has created innovated programs to deal with that complexity.

If you would like a tour, please contact me at 613-789-8210, ext. 247. If you would like to make a donation to help us continue caring for Ottawa's most vulnerable men and women, please visit our donate page.

Another barbecue in the books

It was another successful barbecue for Hope Living in Kanata. The supportive living facility was celebrating its second anniversary.

Although there was some rain in the morning, it cleared up in time for the cooks to do their thing. Not only were there lots of hot dogs and hamburgers to go around, we also had tables of salads and sweets. It was a really good turnout with the dining room full. It was also nice to see some of our regular supporters visit. 

Here are a few photos from the event. Up next is the client barbecue on July 8.

St. Clare Sandwich Day Continues to Grow

When St. Clare Catholic Elementary School let us know that they were planning on doing sandwich day again this year, we immediately let the soup kitchen know about the date. Last year St. Clare's provided over 800 sandwiches and so we wanted the soup kitchen volunteers to know that they could focus their energy on other tasks for that day.

Well St. Clare managed to out do themselves by making 1027 sandwiches and providing a host of other food all of which will go towards feeding hungry men and women both at the soup kitchen and at some of our supportive living facilities.

We are so grateful to the students and staff at St. Clare's for this incredible bounty and for continuing the tradition of giving back to Ottawa's most vulnerable.

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.

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.

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?

 

Export Development Canada

On Friday December 12^th we had a special group of volunteers from EDC. This wonderful volunteers came to help spread the holiday cheer by making a special meal for the women who live in Brigid’s Place, a Shepherds of Good Hope supportive living facility for the most street entrenched and hardest-to-serve women in the city of Ottawa due to addiction issues, mental health and factors relating to past trauma. All of the 11 women who are currently staying at Brigid’s have experienced exceptionally difficult lives and they were so grateful to the volunteers for taking the time to make them such a special meal. 

  

 

The volunteers had a great time volunteering together but the joy they brought to our ladies is what really marks the holiday spirit. 

If you would like to volunteer, or bring in a group to volunteer, please click HERE.

A Great Day to Volunteer!

Westboro Flooring closes for the Jewish High Holidays and the staff uses the off time to give back to the community. Shepherds of Good Hope was lucky enough to be the recipient of 30 hardworking volunteers today who spread out across the city at our various locations. Whether it was helping to weed the garden, paint a room, or prep a meal, they were enthusiastic about making a difference. The clients were certainly appreciative and if you drive by one of our locations you will definitely notice the impact. A big thank you to their entire team.

 

Check out the rest of the photos on Facebook

 

Visit us at www.shepherdsofgoodhope.com

 

 

 



Westboro Flooring & Decor

Exciting volunteer news!  On September 26th, we will have close to 30 employees from Westboro Flooring & Décor come to Shepherds of Good Hope.  They will be volunteering in different programs such as The Oaks, the Shelter, 380 St. Patrick and Hope Living.  Volunteer duties will involve staining decks, painting sheds, helping prepare lunch and doing recreational activities with the clients.

This is such a wonderful way for people in the community to help out!  Thank you!

Laura's Independent Grocer

Myself, Jo, Laura and Linda (Manager at Hope Living)

 

I went over to Laura’s Independent Grocer on Eagleson Rd today in order to say thank you to everyone at the store for being so incredible to the clients at Hope Living in Kanata. Laura’s Independent Grocer has really gone out of their way to welcome us to the community and ensure that the kitchen at Hope Living always has lots of great things for the clients to eat. We especially want to extend our thanks to Laura and Jo (Pictured Above) who often use their personal vehicles to ensure that the goods get to us promptly. Thank you Laura’s Independent Grocer for being such amazing neighbours!

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.

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.

Remembering Ronnie

Just recently I learned of the passing of Ronnie Kirkpatrick, a long-time resident of the Oaks.  I was honoured to have known Ronnie and always looked forward to his smiling face when I visited the facility he was living in.  It was such a pleasure to meet and speak with his sister at Christmas time when she was visiting him as well. 

Ronnie was everyone’s friend and had a generous heart.  He was as kind as he was loyal and will be greatly missed by all who knew him. 

Rest in peace Ronnie.
Below is a story that we published about Ronnie in one of our previous Newsletters, I would like to share it with you.

Ronny has found Compassion, Dignity and Acceptance

Ronny Kirpatrick came from a family of fighting Irish.  He was born in Northern Dublin and immigrated to Canada while still a baby.  He is the middle child of three children, one older brother and one younger sister – all deeply devoted to the Catholic Faith.  Fighting and a hot temper came naturally to Ronny and it was the cause of him being asked to leave school.  Later when Ronny was 25 he used his fists again, only this time to win the Golden Gloves National Boxing Championship in Toronto. 

All this changed when Ronny met Sharon.  Sharon convinced Ronny to put his boxing days behind him and they were soon married.  Within time little Ronny came along and then they were three.  After 15 years of marriage Sharon succumbed to cancer and Ronny lost his anchor and best friend.
Ronny worked hand-in-hand with his Father in the drywall industry for 26 years.  He worked hard and he played equally hard and drinking became his obsession.  He readily admits that he drank anything with alcohol in it, cleaning products, after shave lotion, hairspray and mouth wash.  This affected his relationship with his Father and soon they became estranged.  Ronny’s stabilizing factors – a job and his wife were gone and Ronny took to the street.

One day Ronny was engaged in a street brawl and a police officer who was quite familiar with Ronny separated the two and walked him to the Managed Alcohol Program at Shepherds of Good Hope where he was told by the officer ‘to stay there’.  He told Ronny that he didn’t want him to be fighting on the street again.  Some time later, Ronny’s Irish stubbornness got the best of him and he left only to be ‘caught’ cavorting in street behaviour by the same police officer.  Once again, he was walked to Shepherds of Good Hope only this time he was warned if he left again he would go to jail.

Today, Ronny will tell you that this program has saved his life.  He enjoys the company of those around him, he eats good food, has his own room, has his medical needs attended to, dabbles in painting, visits with others and takes part in daily chores around the building.  He is part of a community that supports and cares for each other.  In fact, Ronny was the program mayor for 10 years.  The staff know him well and care for him fondly.  Ronny has found compassion, acceptance and dignity at Shepherds of Good Hope.

Wouldn’t you like to help those like Ronny find a home where they can be safe and cared for?  Please give so that others may find the true meaning of compassion.

www.shepherdsofgoodhope.com

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!

Top Ten Reasons I Love to Come to Work

I have been with Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation for over 2 years now.  I thought I would share to you my absolute favourite reasons I do what I do.

I know that each day I am helping to make a difference.

I am inspired by the people we serve.

I see the difference our work makes in the lives of those we serve

I see compassion and caring at every level.

I know we make every effort never to turn anyone away and that the hardest-to-serve men and women in our community are being taken care of.

I know that we are working on new initiatives every day to serve the homeless in our community.

I know that together with our partners in the community we work at finding permanent housing for those in the shelter system.

I know that we create supportive living environments and housing for those living in shelters that cannot manage on their own, that we provide them with a place to call home. 

I know that we could not do any of the work we do without the support of our donors and our community,  I am truly inspired by their caring.

I know that working here has made me a grateful and content person

 

 

 

I hope your work inspires you every day just like mine does! 

 

To learn more about Shepherds of Good Hope, click HERE