Shepherds of Good Hope Partners with Metro for Community Impact

On May 17, 2012, Shepherds of Good Hope presented Tony Marracco Manager of Metro McCarthy Supermarket with a Certificate of Appreciation for all of the many donations of food that Metro has provided five days a week to Shepherds of Good Hope Soup Kitchen over the past four years.  Shepherds of Good Hope is also appreciative to Metro St. Laurent Walkley for their continued support.

Last year, Shepherds of Good Hope served approximately 700,000 meals from the Soup Kitchen.

“Their constant assistance has certainly helped our Soup Kitchen keep its head above water, said Anna Silverman, Executive Director of Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation, and it is much appreciated.”

“It is great to be able to donate to a worthy organization with a great cause, said Tony Marraco.  Metro’s philosophy is always to help its community.”

For further information: contact Ann Silverman (613) 789-8210 # 247

Rudy was a good, kind, and principled man who never had a chance…

He was born on a trap line and grew up on a Long Lac Reserve just outside of Thunderbay, Ontario– the youngest of 6 children.

At the age of 4 he tragically lost both parents to a car accident and was taken in by his grandparents who both suffered with alcoholism. He was often left alone and neglected. His oldest sister sensed this and asked if his grandparents would give him up so that she could raise him together with her other eleven children.  Life was not fair for Rudy in those years following.  He was left with slim pickings at the dinner table, was excluded from anything to do with family and he remarked years later that he never felt loved.

When Rudy was 9 he entered the residential school.  This is where Rudy suffered more than he ever had in his young life.  Here is where he was continuously tortured and sexually abused by his authority figures. This is where Rudy learned about violence and hatred and insecurity and fear.  Unspeakable occurrences would plague Rudy for the rest of his days in the school and in his mind for the rest of his life.

How does one learn to trust after knowing life like this?

How does one deal with the rage firing within one’s inner self when your world has been shaped by such horrific events?

What did this do to avulnerable young child?

Rudy became a man and eventually made a journey to Shepherds of Good Hope where he, at first,outwardly demonstrated his frustration and his extreme pent up anger with staff and other clients as well.  He was not willing to forgive. Instead, Rudy lived with these emotions for some time but Rudy had something else.  He had his art.

When he painted he was composing a better world for himself.  He could escape into his art and become one of his mythical crows.  Rudy honoured the crow and made sure that inhis beautiful and brightly coloured native art that they would always have a place.  Rudy thought and told others that when he died he would shape-shift into a noble crow and would soar the skies where within the wind he could look down and feel total freedom.

Rudy was not good to himself but he was generous and kind to others. He was a chronic alcoholic who would share his last drink with anyone.  He panhandled to support his addiction, lived on the street in all kinds of weather and found himself being brought to Hope Recovery where he could sleep it off for the night, time and time again.  He became very ill with Diabetes and spent a great deal of time at the Salvation Army Special Care Unitfor men.  After almost 4 years later he returned to Shepherds of Good Hope and to his (now) friends and supportive community.  Rudy was grateful for all of the love aroundhim and support for his talent – his beautiful art.

Sadly, Rudy left us on a Thursday this past July but the night before he died he told someone something very important.  For all of the wrong that has befallen Rudy he confessed that he was at peace and all had been forgiven.  The next day Rudy joined the crows he so admired and we were left with his beautiful art and wonderful memories of a dear soul who had been dealt a tortuous life and had found peace amongst his community at Shepherds of Good Hope.

Shepherds of Good Hope is a not-for-profit, faith-based organization dedicated to serving the needs of most vulnerable in Ottawa. At this time of year, volunteers are desperately needed to help as cooks, gardeners, cleaners, administrative staff, recreational assistants, and frontline workers.

With the 1600 people who go through their doors every day volunteers are essential to the very important work being done in the programs and soup kitchen.

“Volunteers are the backbone of Shepherds of Good Hope and we would not be able to assist those who turn to us daily for food, clothing and shelter without them.” said Ann MacDonald, Volunteer Manager, Shepherds of Good Hope.

To see our volunteer section, please click here.

For further information: contact Ann MacDonald (613) 789-8210 # 228

Hi, My name is Bill. I’ve come from the States to Canada. I’ve lived a rough life by my own choice. I’m nearly 39 years old. After all the street lives I’ve lived, I ended up finally, at The Oaks which has changed my mind about the government. I can’t believe they allow a piece of heaven for the lost. I’m an alcoholic in serious proportions and I need help physically and mentally. The Oaks and MAP and the WET program have provided the extreme positive and comfortable environment available to the public.

This program is based from the downtown core. -Not good-and moved to the West end of Ottawa away from the mess. By mess I mean alcohol, beer, drugs, crime, prostitution, anger, frustration, dependency, hunger, violence, police brutality and bothersomeness. Mainly I mean for everyone, basically stress.

At the Oaks I am a man who can think, concentrate, focus, make plans for the future, reflect on the past and myself. One day I may write a book reflecting on the things I’ve done and seen and probably sell it to High Schools to scare them straight. But for now, I’ll try to be a man trying to figure out a plan fro my life. The World must thank the Inner City Staff for their dedication and care for all the ailments that alcoholics and addicts suffer from.

Bill T.

Tereza truly is an inspiration… Her life began with many hardships in the Sudan and they continued to plaque her when she moved to Ethiopia. She was very poor. Her parents had died early in life and she was suffering with a severe mental illness. Through her contacts with the United Nations in Ethiopia she was connected to people who could help her come to Canada. She landed in Toronto without a friend or family but was able to obtain work and secure an apartment. Then her illness returned and she could not cope with the stress any more. She then moved from Toronto to Ottawa. One of the first goals Tereza had then was to pay the government the money they spent to bring her here to Canada and she accomplished that goal.

Tereza feels grateful for all of the help she has received since coming to Ottawa and repays the kindness by donating to five different charities which include Cornerstone Women’s Shelter which is where she stayed when she first came to Ottawa; Shepherds of Good Hope where she is receiving assistance and friendship daily; O.C.I.S.O Immigrant Services who also assisted her transition when she came to Canada; Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre which is currently helping her maintain stability and the Ottawa Humane Society. In addition to her financial donations, each Sunday Tereza also volunteers 3 hours of her time to peel potatoes and carrots at the Bronson Centre.

Every day and in any kind of weather Tereza goes to school to better her understanding of verbal and written English. She also makes every effort to attend all workshops and special events offered at her home at 208 St. Andrew Residence. She attends all the outings that the Royal Ottawa Health Centre provides (i.e. movies, gym, Walking Club, reading group).

It is more than WHAT Tereza has accomplished that inspires others. It is WHO this wonderful woman is. To know Tereza is know a gentle, almost always smiling, dear soul with a huge heart, humble manner and a thankful attitude. Now Tereza is a Canadian Citizen and we as a people and as a country are richer for it. She really is an inspiration.

Fred met Shannon 7 years ago on the front step of their apartment building.  Little did they know that this would be the beginning of a life of love together. 

Fred saw Shannon and was instantly smitten and mustered up the courage to approach her while she and another gentleman were talking.  Soon the other gentleman got the hint and left and their story began.

Theirs was a love so strong that it held them together through hardships and pain, personal loss and family tragedy.

The topping on this cake of life’s adversity which included death in the family, Shannon’s injury and hospitalization was their eviction from their home where they were left with nothing. 

Shannon was forced to stay at Shepherds of Good Hope Outreach for Women. At first, frightened by the other women who had suffered tragedies of their own and would lash out against each other in unexpected outbursts Shannon stayed by herself.

Fred remembers crying when he stayed at Shepherds of Good Hope Men’s Emergency Shelter.  He was lonely for Shannon and felt at the end of his rope.  He thought that he had indeed hit bottom.

For five and a half weeks both lovers were forced to be parted from each other in the shelter.  Fred had secured a little money from odd jobs to deposit on first and last month’s rent and was heartbroken when it was stolen.  He had to start all over again. 

All was not lost.  Both Fred and Shannon found the intake staff at Shepherds of Good Hope helpful, compassionate and understanding.  In time and with their help Shannon and Fred were ready to secure more permanent housing. But they had nothing – just the clothes on their backs.

Once again, with the help of Shepherds of Good Hope Support Services staff they were able to move into their new apartment complete with donated furniture, dishes, groceries, clothing, linens, and towels. It gave them a starting place.  Shannon, said that even the toilet tissue was donated from Shepherds of Good Hope.

Now that Shannon and Fred were stable, Shannon started to volunteer at Centre 454 – a drop in centre for the underprivileged and Fred made plans to enter Janitorial School. 

It was their dream however to get married. 

But how…weddings can be expensive and where do you start?

Shannon talked to Father Gregor, the Anglican priest at Centre 454 about her predicament.  Father Gregor vowed to try to help her achieve her dream and gave both Shannon and Fred a glowing reference letter to his Parish at St, Lukes on Somerset St.  The church agreed to allow the wedding.

What happened next are truly examples of human compassion and kindness in every form.  From the flowers made up from someone’s garden to the food and decorations provided by the members of the church, Fred and Shannon were beginning to see a community bound together for this purpose and this purpose was to help Fred and Shannon achieve their dream. 

A councilor at Centre 454 gave Shannon her own wedding dress and a friend of Fred’s gave him a suit.  When Shannon went to have her hair done for the wedding she was told that someone else had taken care of the bill. One of the managers at Centre 454 even gave the bride away!

The wedding was as joyous an occasion as any wedding has ever been and the happy couple were so pleased by this outpouring of kindness that they wanted me to tell their story.  A picture speaks volumes and as you can see by this picture a community achieved a dream.

During March and April, Algonquin students in the Public Relations program will be holding several events to benefit Shepherds of Good Hope!

Help Halt Hunger is the 24th annual Algonquin College first-year public relations student fundraising campaign.

The PR students aim to raise over $6,000 in support of the Soup Kitchen and Grocery Program at the Shepherds of Good Hope, and help nourish some of Ottawa’s most vulnerable families.

Up Next:

Media Q’s Network to Nourish

Date: Thursday, April 12, 2012

Time: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Where: The Aulde Dubliner, Byward Market, 62 William St., Ottawa.

http://www.heartandcrown.ca/dubliner.aspx

Cost: A $10 donation is requested. Please register on Eventbrite:

http://networktonourish.eventbrite.com/

Contact: Sarah Raphael, networktonourish@hotmail.com

About

Media Q’s Network to Nourish is a great opportunity to mix and mingle. Meet and greet fellow Algonquin PR alumni, including professionals and students from Algonquin College, the University of Ottawa, and more. Everyone is welcome!

Take home something special from Amy Kudrinko’s silent auction – scroll down for details on the exciting items on offer.

This celebration will feature guest speakers Yasir Naqvi, MPP for Ottawa Centre, and Algonquin College President Bob Gillett, as well at the cheque presentation to Shepherds of Good Hope.

A very BIG thank you to our supporters, Media Q, Amy Kudrinko, and the Aulde Dubliner.

For a full list of events please visit the HELP HALT HUNGER website

We would like to thank Rideau Nursery for their generous donation of greenhouse space and seedlings!  This will help with our efforts with the Hope Garden this year.  The Hope Garden organically grows fruits and vegetables every year to provide the poor nutritious meals all summer long!

 Dr. Bruce M. Firestone, a local entrepreneur and founder of the Ottawa Senators, launched the first Bootstrap Awards event in 2004 with Exploriem.org, a registered not-for-profit organization, as he believed bootstrapping entrepreneurs deserved more recognition.

 “I was honoured to accept this award on behalf of Shepherds of Good Hope for our use of social media and our work in the community. Social media has changed the way we reach out to our donors and followers,” commented Anna Silverman, Executive Director Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation.

 “Shepherds of Good Hope remains thankful to the community again and we are honoured to be recognized amongst such a prestigious group of winners, “said Sheila Burnett, Executive Director Shepherds of Good Hope.

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They donated $500 and many boxes of food to Shepherds of Good Hope.

Theresa Cashman & Rob Eady