January 2013 - Shepherds of Good Hope

Shepherds of Good Hope
30th Anniversary Kitchen Renovation Project
Have a look at our concept drawing for our exciting, new kitchen. This updated design
and new, upgraded equipment will allow for much greater functionality in the preparation
of our 700,000 meals a year. The practical and efficient layout will allow for greater numbers of volunteers to work together to serve the over 1600 people who come through our
doors each day.
Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation Newsletter
Volume 2 –Winter 2013
Become a part of this $100,000 revitalization project by giving today!
Serving Ottawa’s Most Vulnerable Since 1983
On February 7, 2013 Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation will present A Taste for Hope – an extraordinary culinary event in celebration of Shepherds of Good Hope’s 30 years of service to the
most vulnerable in our community. Guests will have the opportunity to sample dishes prepared by
many talented local Ottawa chefs ranging from signature creations to the exotic, as well as fine
wines courtesy of Vintners’ Selection. All proceeds from this showcase event will be used to renovate our soup kitchen at 233 Murray Street. The event will take place from 6:00 to 9:00 pm in Jean
Pigott Hall at Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. West. Come out; support those that have so little
and need so much and enjoy a Taste for Hope.
1983
On February 7th, 1983 in the basement of St. Brigid’s Church 23 meals were served and that was the
beginning of Shepherds of Good Hope. Just a handful of volunteers were caring for those coming
through the church doors. Homeless women and people with complex needs were habitually sleeping outside around the foundation of the church until the priest granted permission to bring them inside.
That was the beginning and now.
Shepherds of Good Hope serves approximately 700,000 meals a year from our Soup Kitchen. There
are 180 full and part time employees and 400 volunteers who provide for the needs of over 500,000
men and women every year. Over 350 people sleep in our programs every night in our 7 locations
across the city.
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ANNA’S THOUGHTS….
We Are All People First with a Capacity to Love and be Loved
I am excited to tell you that on February 7, 2013 Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation
will present A Taste for Hope – an extraordinary culinary event in celebration of
Shepherds of Good Hope’s 30 years of service to the most vulnerable in our
community!
Guests will have the opportunity to sample dishes prepared by many talented local
Ottawa chefs ranging from signature creations to the exotic, as well as fine wines
courtesy of Vintners’ Selection. What is more exciting is that all proceeds from this
showcase event will be used to renovate our soup kitchen (see page 12 to see the plans) where last
year over 700,000 meals were served. The event will take place from 6:00 to 9:00 pm in Jean Pigott Hall
at Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. West. Come out; support those that have so little and need so
much and enjoy a Taste for Hope. Tickets are available on our website or by calling Judy at (613) 7898210 #223.
The following is an interview with Lauren, the assistant manager at Brigid’s Place Transitional Home for
Women. These women are deemed the most street entrenched in the entire city. She has been working
there for 3 years, first as a placement student and worked her way up to assistant manager. This is one of
her stories that speaks volumes from an interview that was conducted with her.
When did you know you wanted to work at Brigid’s Place?
When I was done my placement I was offered a casual position and I accepted right away. I really enjoyed working at Brigid’s and the philosophy of the program.
I really like that the program is continuously evolving. There’s a lot of room to create very good things for
these women and to be part of that is very exciting.
January marks my first year with Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation and I have learned so much in
one year about the history and values of this great organization. I am in awe of the wonderful work being
accomplished all around me daily.
Tell me about bringing your daughter here.
From the very day that I learned that in the early days Sheila Burnett hunted through dumpsters behind
restaurants looking for food for the homeless I had tremendous admiration for who she is and what she
has done. As Executive Director, Sheila describes herself humbly as selfish in her being because she is
exactly where she needs to be. She believes that she receives much, much more than she gives back
working with the poor. It is her calling and her honour to serve those that so many others have forgotten.
She was about two and half weeks old. I believe she is the youngest visitor Brigid’s Place has ever had!
Shepherds of Good Hope’s other Executive Director, Paul Soucie came from the world of business and
has used his vast talents to bring Shepherds of Good Hope into the modern world. He believes that no
one can do their jobs without the proper tools and he made that happen. Paul is a Catholic Deacon, a
true leader and a deeply spiritual man who can connect to the suffering around him with profound empathy. Paul’s vision is to help people find safety and home within themselves. He is self directed but listens
attentively to the needs around him. His journey is one with the poor.
It was great because a lot of the women shared the experiences they had as mothers and sisters. They
were constantly monitoring my eating! I guess you’d say they mothered me throughout my pregnancy.
Paul Soucie and Sheila Burnett exemplify true dedication and commitment to this organization that has
grown significantly in response to the needs around them. They are a team that is devoted to helping the
homeless in whatever capacity it takes.
I will do my part to serve Paul and Sheila’s needs by raising the much needed funds to allow them to help
the thousands that come through our doors. I could not do this without you – our generous and devoted
supporters. Our task is tremendous in scope but you have been with us every step of the way. Without
you, our dreams could not be a reality.
Anna Silverman
Executive Director, Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation
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The residents were great throughout my pregnancy. They actually all took two or three dollars out of their
own personal needs allowance, pooled it together and bought me bottles, wipes and other baby items.
When she was born, I wanted the women to meet
my daughter. I knew they were all very excited
because they had seen pictures of her and I
promised I would bring her in for them to meet
her. The day came when I brought my little bundle in and you wouldn’t believe the joy that overcame the women! They all came into the staff
office and took turns holding her. You could tell
that they just loved her. That was a wonderful
moment for everyone.
It was great to be able to see that side of these
women that are always referred to as ‘street,’
tough. After all, we are all people first with a capacity to love and be loved. This was the proof.
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Meet One of Our Monthly Donors
CONTACT US
Ash came to Canada from Iran in 2001. As a new Canadian, Ash could identify with the visible minorities
like herself in her new home. She had excellent English skills and a strong desire to help others and soon
found work as a translator working for visible minority
groups in Thunderbay, Ontario. Her interest didn’t stop
there however. She also became a board member of
the Multicultural Association in that city.
One day Ash and her family decided to move to Aylmer, Quebec and Ash again found work at a high tech
firm in the area of Fibre Optics. It was then that Ash
became familiar with Shepherds of Good Hope.
Every morning and every evening Ash had to pass by Shepherds of Good Hope on the way to work and
back again. She saw the people milling outside of the shelter. Some were obviously dealing with some
form of mental illness and she was gripped by the need to help those less fortunate.
Main Number
613-789-8210
Fax
613-789-0888
Sheila’s Glimpse at the Past
It was on February 7, 1983, that St. Brigid’s Church opened its doors
to a small group of women assigned to prepare and serve a pot of
soup to a group of hungry guests. This event was the inaugural moment in a movement that would eventually become Shepherds of
Good Hope. Since that historic day, many circumstances have contributed to the shaping of our Shepherds of Good Hope Community.
Foundation
Executive Director, Anna Silverman
Development Officer
Angela Campbell
247
,
244
Development Administrator,
Judy Stilwell
Monthly Donations,
Heather McLean
Communications Assistant,
Lauren Skippen
223
234 Back then was a daily struggle, however, we were a little band of volunteers wondering where we would start.
237
When Ash was laid off from her job in high tech she immediately thought of Shepherds of Good Hope as
her employer of choice and applied. Her compassion shone through and she was hired as a front line
worker in Support Services. It was in the knowledge that her son was receiving help that she wanted to
reach out and help others. Now Ash is the Manager of Support Services where she is in charge of the
Soup Kitchen, Grocery Program, Clothing Program and Evening Drop In.
She fully understands the importance of the work Shepherds of Good Hope does and donates back
monthly through the Friend of Shepherds of Good Hope Monthly Giving Program. She will tell anyone
that she gives because she believes it is the right thing to do. Giving monthly does not affect her family
budget and she feels a personal satisfaction in knowing that her money goes to work all year round helping those who have so little and need so much.
Who needed help most?
Shepherds of Good Hope
Executive Director, Paul Soucie
235
613-688-2929
338
Volunteers
Manager, Ann Macdonald
228
Assistant, Lillian Kawesa
239
Finance
Director, Rob Searle
236
Payroll Manager, Luciano De Luca
222
Reporting Officer, Hao Yu Dai
232
Accounts Payable, Sharon Humber
227
Shelter
Main Number
613-241-6494
Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation
Won’t you consider helping those with such a small voice by joining our Friends of the Shepherds Monthly
Giving Program? It is a gift that lasts all year.
Where would the food come from?
Where would the money come from?
Executive Director, Sheila Burnett
Ash knew first hand about mental illness. When her son had graduated from high school with a grade A+
average, he began to change in ways that she found disturbing. He was later diagnosed with a form of
schizophrenia and would be on medication for this illness for the rest of his life.
I was one of a handful of volunteers that was part of the beginning
days of Shepherds of Good Hope. It is with compassion, determination, dedication to a cause and with a knowledge that what we were
doing was so necessary to the betterment of the lives of the people
forced to live on the street. We did not have to think about what was
right or wrong. We could not allow people to go hungry or freeze in
the cold. This was our mission.
233 Murray Street
Often, the optimum phrase would be “Let’s just do it!” We were not
very structured. There were no real rules in place. If there was a
need or void, we just filled it when and how we could. This was 30
years ago and so much has happened since then.
Shepherds of Good Hope has had a past rich with numerous trials and
various successes. All through the years we believed in what we
needed to do. Our vision and mission were crystal clear. We knew
that everyone deserves to be cared about and to be treated with dignity and respect. Shepherds of Good Hope will continue to offer the
services and care to all of those who come through our doors without
judgment for many years to come.
We were able to move mountains with your help throughout the years.
There will be other mountains we will need to move as the challenges
of a larger body of homeless people with mental health issues grows
outside of our doors. We will need
to meet these demands head on
and with your continued support we
can do this. Thank you for blessing
us with your caring and financial
assistance. We could not do it
without you.
Peace and blessingsMSheila
Ottawa ON K1N 5M9
www.shepherdsofgoodhope.com
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reception@shepherdsofgoodhope.com
Sheila Burnett
CR# 87601 7609 RR0001
Executive Director
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Paul’s Look to the Future
Ronny has found Compassion, Dignity and Acceptance
th
We are celebrating our 30 anniversary, 30 years of serving
the most vulnerable in our community who are chronically
homeless, living with mentally illness and addictions. They are
a challenging population to serve and we are their last refuge
and hope. Many of the men and women who come through
our shelter have few options for recovery. When other shelters
are unable to take them, Shepherds of Good Hope will open
our doors.
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.
We are a family -- a community of committed caregivers.
Our committed team of more than 180 staff, 400 volunteers and some 30,000 contributing partners provide a broad range of diverse, life-giving needs such as:
•
700,000 meals a year
•
1600 people coming through our doors every day
•
21,000 families receiving $440,000 worth of groceries from our grocery program
•
950 Christmas hampers to needy families
•
Distribution of free-of-charge clothing to anyone in need
A drop-in centre that operates 365 days a year providing a safe place for people away from the evening
elements.
Last year, 81,332 people spent at least one night in our
shelters. All of this is backed up with dedicated Case
Management and Housing Support. All clients staying
with us for more than 2 weeks are assessed and assistance plans are developed to help them connect to the
services they need. Of the 320 clients assisted in a
housing search last year over 170 clients were housed
out in the community.
The most critical issue facing our community today is the lack
of affordable, supportive housing. There are currently
10,000 people on a centralized waiting list for affordable
housing. This is a tragedy by all intents and purposes. Our
commitment to ease suffering, restore dignity and create
hope for the most vulnerable is extremely tenuous without
more units becoming available.
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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.
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Volunteering for 27 Years has Ongoing Rewards
It was 1985 when Jennifer Baniczky decided to give back to those less fortunate than herself. She turned
to Shepherds of Good Hope as the charity to assist. At that time in her life Jennifer had a full time job and
was only able to offer her services one night a week and on Saturdays. Her principle task was making
sandwiches for the 100 people that would show up at lunch. Today that number has quadrupled.
Back in Shepherds of Good Hope’s infancy, there were no rules, no structure and volunteers got to know
clients and other volunteers very well. It was such a friendly atmosphere and ever so rewarding. Everyone coming into the soup kitchen received a hand shake or a hug first.
Volunteers were a tight knit community because we were there to serve the less fortunate. They appreciated it and let us know time and time again. Then too, our numbers were much smaller.
Jennifer remembers those that she served as real characters and dear souls. She talks about one of the
more amorous clients who decided to show all of the women volunteers how much he appreciated their
help by running after each one for a kiss – in a kilt no less.
In those early days, food was delivered to shut-ins by the volunteers as well. Today, volunteers are so
busy completing their duties that they have no time for home deliveries
Back in 1985, alcohol was the demon on the street and it was not uncommon to witness disagreements in
the evening amongst clients because of it, however, no volunteer ever felt unsafe. Today, alcohol and
other demons plaque our clients from dealers on the street and mental illness is much more prevalent.
What is most wonderful for Jennifer is the lunch time services. This is when Hindus, Orthodox Christians,
Jews, Baha’i and Sikhs all worship together in community. She compares this to the rest of the world and
wishes it could be like that.
Christmas is also a wonderful time to be in community at Shepherds of Good Hope. A huge Christmas
tree is erected and carols are sung. The place is humming with activity and the volunteers are such a part
of it all.
We are very proud of the 5 current supportive housing units we offer to the Ottawa community.
• Brigid’s Place is an 11 unit low barrier supportive housing for homeless, street-entrenched women
living with mental illness and addictions
• 380 St. Patrick Street residence is a 13 unit men’s
supportive housing for those living with poverty and
mental illness
• Hope Living is a program that exists on the 3rd floor of
256 King Edward Ave. Thirty five people with severe
mental illness live in this supportive housing program
for the future
• 208 St. Andrew Street residence is an example of distinction in supportive housing. It is a beautiful 35 unit
apartment building housing a community of people living with mental illness who are striving to be self sufficient and responsible
∗
The Oaks at 1053 and 1057 Merivale Road contains
55 units and is a supportive housing partnership between Shepherds of Good Hope, Ottawa Inner City
Health and the Canadian Mental Health Association
Now we are prepared to move forward with our dream for
the future. Our dream is to acquire 75-100 units of new supportive housing within 18 months and to
build new bridges to wellness and dignity for those most vulnerable amongst us.
We are committed to minimize the impact of mental illness and substance use in our community
by engaging those most in need of assistance and fast tracking them to treatment and care services.
This is our dream to expand the
availability of treatment and care to
the most vulnerable so that they
can walk away from homelessness
– be housed and remain housed.
We have a Dream and you
are part of our Dream for together
we can make this happen. You are
our Hope for the future.
God Bless - Peace be with you
Jennifer states, “I would not have been here for this many years if I did not find the volunteer experience
rewarding and richly spiritual. The world has changed in 27 years but the feeling you get by helping others has not.”
Please consider giving to those who have so little and require so much. You will find that it changes your
life.
Paul Soucie
Executive Director
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Gaston’s New Beginning
Willi is No Longer Alone
Gaston was born in Buckingham, Quebec to a French Canadian family of three brothers and three sisters. At 8
years of age Gaston discovered that he had epilepsy and that it had a disruptive and debilitating influence in his
young life. Gaston had further challenges. His Father was an abusive alcoholic and often Gaston was at the brunt
of his abuse.
Life was not easy for Gaston and he dropped out of school when he was able to work. Soon he was employed as
a drywall taper and he had to run to keep up with the many jobs coming his way. The running was taking its toll
and Gaston was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder that was left untreated. Consequently, he turned to drugs and
gambling as his crutch. He recounts, “Crack made me numb.”
At the same time he met Connie and was soon engaged to be married. They bought a Condo and a new truck and
marriage plans were in place when tragedy struck. Gaston was working on scaffolding 25 feet in the air when his
footing became uncertain and he plunged to the ground breaking his leg so badly that he was never able to work
again. That was twelve years ago and he still has his leg bound with an elastic bandage to keep it from aching and
swelling.
After Gaston’s accident, his relationship with Connie disintegrated and he lost his condo and truck. He was on
large doses of painkillers to continue to function each day but realized after it was too late that he was addicted.
Life was spinning out of control and Gaston borrowed large sums of money to feed his habit. Gaston was on the
street when he met a Canadian Mental Health Worker who suggested he meet the manager at Shepherds of Good
Hope 208 St. Andrew Street Residence. The manager listened to Gaston, quickly put plans in place for him to get
assistance and helped him obtain a beautiful apartment at the 208 St. Andrew Street Residence.
After 3 years, Gaston has a whole new start of life. He attends narcotics anonymous meetings regularly. He has
reconnected to family. He is clean and sober. He is seen by his doctor once a month and attends addictions services day programming to keep him on the right track.
Gaston loves life in his impeccably, well-kept apartment. He has made
good friends in the building and enjoys outings to movies, cave spelunking, Trivia Thursdays, birthday parties and Friday Special Chef Nights. In
his spare time he has taught himself to play harmonica and is learning to
paint.
For the first time in Gaston’s life he has opened a savings account and is
putting money into it.
Gaston feels safe and cared about in his home. He says, “What more
can I ask for? I have turned my life around because of this place and the
wonderful people who work here.”
Please give so that people like Gaston can turn their lives around too. A
life of dignity should be accessible for everyone.
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Willi is a 67 year old woman that lives in the Oaks Supportive Living program. Willi is also a self admitted alcoholic.
Willi grew up in Ottawa as a kid with both parents and her
six siblings. Willi’s family struggled to make ends meet as
she came from such a large family with many mouths to
feed. At the time, she didn’t realize her family was living at
the poverty level and states “I thought everybody lived that
way”.
There was no substance abuse in Willi’s family when she
was growing up and she attended both English and Dutch church services every Sunday.
Willi left home at 18 years of age, got married and had two children. The marriage started to fail and Willi
and her husband soon separated. Willi met another man when she was in her early 30s and her new
partner “wined and dined her and swept her off her feet”. This is when Willi was first introduced to alcohol as her new partner was a heavy drinker. Willi thought drinking was “cool” as all the movie stars
seemed to have drinks in their hands often. Her relationship with this man came to an end when Willi realized that his drinking was obsessive and that it was affecting her.
During this time Willi was an employee for Canada Post and drank daily after her work day. This is when
Willi first realized she could not stop drinking herself. Willi isolated herself after work and called for alcohol to be delivered every night. Willi became a “closet drinker” and her siblings were unaware of the alcoholism as it began to spiral.
Willi took a buyout from Canada Post at the age of 48 and continued to isolate herself and drink daily.
Willi describes this as “a very lonely and dark time in her life”. Willi’s overall health started to fail due to
malnutrition as she was not eating regularly. Willi was finally able to confide her drinking habits to her
family doctor who recommended the Managed Alcohol Program to her.
Willi has noticed many improvements since joining MAP and no longer feels isolated as she has people
around to converse with anytime she wishes. Willi’s overall health has improved as she now eats three
meals per day and a bedtime snack. Willi’s alcohol intake has dropped drastically as it is now monitored
and controlled by the staff at the Oaks under the care of Ottawa Inner City Health and the medical team.
Today Willi is ecstatic as she is a first time grandmother. She is very happy living at the Oaks and no
longer feels the loneliness she felt so much in the past. Willi is a “gentle soul” and a very valued member
of the Oaks community. When Willi discusses her alcoholism today she states “I thought it was a social
thing until it was too late”. Please help us to help more people like Willi. You can make a very positive
difference in the lives of those that have so little and need so much.
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