The Shepherds of Good Hope

The Shepherds of Good Hope is a “God-centred community” ^[1] shelter based in Ottawa, Ontario. It aims to offer help to those whose needs aren't being met, and heal through the “power of love and prayer”. The Shepherds of Good Hope welcomes people of all faiths and beliefs, and provides three main services: Support Services, Supportive Living and Shelter Services.^[1] The Shepherds also run a soup kitchen, and serves approximately 800 sandwiches and 600 whole meals daily to the people of Ottawa who need it most.^[2]

History

Established in 1983, the Shepherds of Good Hope started as an emergency men's and women's shelter and grocery program out of St Brigid's in Lower Town. In 1984, a men's shelter and clothing program opened in the Guigues School, and finally, on October 1, 1985, the soup kitchen, shelter and the Clothing & Grocery programs all moved to their current location, on 233 Murray St, also in Lower Town. The building had once been host to the St-Brigid's School. The first Christmas Hamper program was established a year later, in November 1986, and still continues today providing vital food to over 1000 families for Christmas.

In 1988, three new programs were created – Hope Outreach, Hope Community, and the Hope Centre. All three are targeted at providing housing, whether emergency or long term, for the clients of the Shepherds of Good Hope. In 1990, the Hope School, Hope Recovery, House of Lambs and Hope Discovery Supportive Housing were added to the resources available from the Shepherds of Good Hope (more on each below). However, two years later several programs were cut due to reorganization, including Hope School and House of Lambs.

In December 1998, Sophie's hope was started as an effort to create an environment where women could feel safe and would always be accepted. Though not directly affiliated with the Shepherds of Good Hope, Sophie's Hope set up shop inside 233 Murray St.

In 1999, the Hope Community and Hope Discovery joined together to create a “Supportive Housing” system of care, which is today one of the three main services offered through the Shepherds of Good Hope. Thirty two extra housing units were opened later in the year to accommodate people suffering from severe mental illnesses, and eighteen housing units for people who require minimal care. In May 2000, the Managed Alcohol Program was introduced, to much controversy, as the experimental program provided participants with controlled amounts of alcohol instead of promoting complete abstinence. In 2002 funding allowed the Shepherds of Good Hope to provide a housing worker for the “Supportive Housing” program in an attempt to help people to find and maintain housing. In 2003, the Shepherds of Good Hope celebrated its 20th anniversary, and opened up 10 new beds for the Managed Alcohol Program. In May 2004, the shelter purchased a building on St-Andrews with the Ministry of Health Funding which became a part of Supportive Living, allowing for 35 housing units to be built for clients who are diagnosed with a mental disorder, but independent enough to live on their own. A year later, Hope Community closed its doors.^[3] More recently, in 2009, after several years of searching for a place to relocate the Supportive Housing, the Shepherds of Good Hope purchased an old hotel to move its residents that could be living in Supportive Housing but are still in the shelters, in an effort to remove people from the drugs so readily available in Lower-town Ottawa. Residents are currently moving to their new Carlington Street location,^[4] and 55 units have been filled with happy clients, some who have never owned a couch before. The building is in a gated community which is kept under 24-hour surveillance in order to protect the clients and the community from trouble.^[5]

The Team

The Shepherds of Good Hope is run by a team of dedicated directors, staff, volunteers and donors & partners. The Shelter is led by two Executives Directors. Assisting the Executive Directors is a Board of Directors with eight members. These crucial members manage areas such as treasury, fundraising, accounting and church affiliation.^[6] The Directors, the Board and all other employees and volunteers work together to coordinate the management and maintenance of the Shepherds of Good Hope.

Volunteers

In addition to the Board of Management is the Team of Volunteers who critical to the success of the Shepherds of Good Hope. In 2008, 64,000 hours of work were contributed by over 400 volunteers for the Shepherds of Good Hope.^[7] Each individual is asked to provide one 4 hour shift per week for 6 months. Additionally, clients of the Shepherds of Good Hope put in over 7000 hours of volunteering around the shelter. This client-based service encourages clients to develop skills that could lead to future job skills.^[7] Volunteer tasks are performed around the premises and include working in the Clothing Room, Drop-In Centre, Soup Kitchen, shelters and residences, and Women Stabilization Program as well as helping to put together Christmas Hampers. Clients of the Shepherds of Good Hope are also encouraged to help out in the Soup Kitchen and shelter.^[7] Certain volunteers offer their services in their specialization to the Shepherds. These include barbers, cooks, beauticians, musicians, and yoga instructors.^[7]

Partners

The Shepherds of Good Hope are also partnered with many high profile companies, such as Bell Canada, Am Ex, CHUM Media and the Knights of Columbus, among others, who provide volunteer hours, awareness, and donations^[8]

Funding and Expenses

Funding

In 2008, Shepherds of Good Hope received 32% of its funding from the City of Ottawa, who provided a grant, 22% in donated food value, 20% in individual donation, 10% of volunteer contributions, 9% from Champlain Local Integrated Health Network, who also provided a grant, 4% in rent income and 3% from other miscellaneous sources.^[9]

Expenses

According to the 2008 Annual Report the funds were distributed amongst the various programs and administration needs accordingly: 61% went to programs and services, 26% went to groceries, 7% went to Real Estate, 3% went to administration, and a final 3% went to Amortization .^[9]

Fund raising

Fund raising efforts are run by the Shepherds of Good Hope Foundation and include:

The Annual Am Ex Golf Tournament

The Annual Am Ex Golf Tournament raises an important sum of money every year that goes towards helping the Shepherds of Good Hope. The 2009 tournament raised $14,638 and helped with the purchase of the new Supportive Housing homes in Carlington, the former Cardinal Suites.^[10]

The Annual Hunger Banquet

2009 marked the 5th Annual Hunger Banquet for the Shepherds of Good Hope Banquet for the Shepherds of Good Hope. This year 445 people were in attendance, double the number from last year. Features of this year's banquet include the recognition of outstanding volunteers, musical entertainment, and the presenting of cheques for the Shepherds of Good Hope from Corporate Partners. This year's Hunger Banquet was sponsored by CHUM Ottawa, Telus, Deloitte, The Ottawa Police Services and the Ottawa Catholic School Board.^[11]

Current activities

Currently the Shepherds of Good Hope host three main services: Support Services, Supportive Living, and a Shelter Program.

Support Services

Several Support Services are offered through the Shepherds of Good Hope for the underprivileged of Ottawa. These include a Soup Kitchen, The Grocery Program, The Clothing Program, Evening Drop-In Centre, The Christmas Hamper Program, and the Shepherds of Good Hope Van.^[2]

A.The Soup Kitchen

Open 365 days a year, the Soup Kitchen serves 690 hot meals a day, and an additional 860 take-away sandwiches available everyday^[2] Hope Garden : Started more than 20 years ago, the Hope Garden was created to reduce the constant shortage of fresh vegetable in the Soup Kitchen. 6 lots at Kilborn Gardens were donated by the City of Ottawa, totalling at about 6,000 square feet (560 m²) of space. Hope Garden receives countless donations from providers such as Lee Valley tools, Home Hardware, Greely Sand & Gravel Inc and seed suppliers. For the past 4 years, Hope Garden hosts a Garden Party to showcase their hard work to the community.^[12]

B. The Grocery Program

The Grocery Program is a monthly initiative which offers emergency groceries to anyone in need. In 2008, 21,000 families in Ottawa benefited from the Grocery Program, for a total of approximately $440, 000 worth of groceries. The food provided in the baskets are reflective of community donations as well as seasonal availability for fruits and vegetables.

C.The Clothing Program

The Clothing Program provides clothing and footwear to the guests of the Shepherds of Good Hope as well as to low-income individuals.

D.The Evening Drop-In

The Evening Drop-In program provides a safe environment for anyone from 5:30- 9:30 pm. Soup and hot drinks are provided, and guests can participate in card games, bingo, tutorials, AA meetings, or simply enjoy the flat screen T.V. Or live musical entertainment.

E.The Christmas Hamper

For the past 24 years, the Shepherds of Good Hope have been hosting a Christmas Hamper program. Each of these hampers contain everything needed to cook a full Christmas dinner.Christmas Hamper Guidelines Approximately 1000 households receive a Christmas Hamper delivered to their homes each year.^[1]

Additionally, every year on Christmas Day the Shepherds of Good Hope host a Christmas Lunch for those who are otherwise unable to enjoy company and good food on this day.

Shelter Program

The Shepherds of Good Hope have several shelter programs, to maximize the help they can provide to people from all different walks of life.

A.Emergency Men's Shelter

The Emergency Men's Shelter is a 24-hour shelter equipped with 102 beds and provides food, showers, laundry services and medicine storage for its residents.

B. Hope Outreach

Hope Outreach is a 24-hour emergency shelter for women or transgender individuals who are over the age of 18. It is equipped with 57 beds and provides 3 meals a day, shower, laundry and hygiene supplies, safer injection supplies and clean clothing. Additionally, Hope Outreach has on-site psychiatric nurses, medical help, and addiction assessment and support. Hope Outreach also hosts a pilot project targeting homeless people who are unable to access services for their severe health problems due to their lifestyle. This project is an Inner City Pilot Project, and has been hugely successful. Implemented in 2001, it was running at “100% capacity within 6 weeks of opening”, and grew in number between 2001 and 2003. This project is also being hosted in other shelters in the Ottawa community.^[13]

C. Hope Recovery

Hope Recovery provides 21 beds, food, access to hygiene, laundry and medicine storage for women and men under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Hope Recovery accepts clients from other shelters, Police Services, Ottawa Detox and hospitals. Furthermore, clients residing at Hope Recovery are encouraged to seek help for their addictions.

D. Managed Alcohol Program

The Managed Alcohol Program is partnered with the Inner City Health Project.^[14] The idea of MAP is to reduce harm to the individual. By allowing for participants in the project to have 5 oz. of home brewed wine or 3 oz. of sherry every hour,^[15] the MAP believed that drinking in moderation would reduce binge drinking and the consumption of dangerous substances, such as mouthwash and paint thinners.^[16] This program targets individuals who have failed other substance abuse treatment programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous, who promote total abstinence from drinking.^[16] Questionnaires were handed out to the MAP participants as well, to record and properly study their past alcohol use, daily activities and health. The program began with 12 subjects, but has increased to 22. Studies conducted at the University of Ottawa after an average of 16 months participation from subjects showed that the number of emergency department visits, police altercations and alcohol consumption all lowered for participants of the MAP. It was reported that overall hygiene and compliance with medical care also increased. Additionally, the average of drinks per day for a single subject dropped from 46 to 8.^[15]

Supportive Living

The Shepherds of Good Hope run 4 Supportive Living housing units, targeted at helping clients become more independent, while still tending to their needs for support and supervision.

A.Hope Living Residence

Hope Living is a 35 unit residence for people diagnosed with severe mental disabilities. It is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Hope living is made possible through the help of the following partnering agencies: Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, the Sandy Hill Community Centre, the John Howard Society, C.M.H.A., and A.C.T.T.. Clients of the Hope Living residence are encouraged to develop life skills in order to reintegrate into the community.^[17]

B.Brigid's Place

Brigid's Place is a halfway house for homeless women living with an addiction or a mental illness. This shelter work by the harm reduction method, and attempts to improve the women's quality of life on an individual basis by working on 6 key points: 1 – Relationship Building 2 – Building Life Skills 3 – Individual and Group Well Being 4 – Future Goals 5 – Safer Drug Use and Risks 6 – Safer Lifestyles (List Quoted from: Shepherds of Good Hope Annual Report) Brigid's Place was created to ensure that women would always be provided with a place to stay regardless of their condition.^[7]

C.380 St-Patrick

This 13 unit housing residence is for individuals who require minimal assistance. This location is ideal for individuals who still require some support but who are trying to reintegrate themselves into the community.^[17]

D. 208 St-Andrew

This 35 unit housing centre contains both single and double occupancy units for clients diagnosed with a mental illness but who are independent enough to have a more independent lifestyle. Staff is only employed on as-needed basis, and only interested residents partake in skill training. This centre boasts a true sense of community and has many active clubs for the residents.^[17]

C.Sophie's Hope

Sophie's Hope is a women's shelter established by Francine Pelletier. Pelletier started this shelter as a homage to a woman she had been working with in the past, who was an IV drug user that had developed AIDS and was also pregnant. Pelletier came up with the idea of this shelter when she noticed that several establishments would not allow Sophie on their premises because of her active drug use. There was a need for a safe place where women could be allowed access regardless of their condition. Sophie's Hope is not an overnight shelter, but is open from 4pm to midnight and provides a place for women to eat, enjoy entertainment, play a game of cards, or just enjoy conversation with fellow women. Many women benefit from this program, as the opening hours keep them off the streets and away from drugs and prostitution. Although the Shepherds of Good Hope are not exclusively affiliated with Sophie's Hope, they allowed for the women's shelter to open in the main Shepherds of Good Hope building, at 233 Murray St., in 1998. Sophie's Hope has been at its own independent location since 2000 .^[18]

D.Move to Carlington

In 2009, the Shepherds of Good Hope purchased 2 buildings in the Carlington area of Ottawa, which they have turned into housing for their clients who qualify for Supportive Housing but are still living in the downtown shelters. Formerly the Cardinal Suites Motel, the new wellness centre has been named The Oaks, and strives to help its new residents with living in their own apartments, as well as promote wellness.^[19] Controversy has surrounded this project since news broke that 55 homeless people would be moving to Carlington. 250 people presented themselves to a Carlington meeting to protest the move, as they feared that the already existing prostitution problem would be made worse by what the homeless people could be bringing to the neighbourhood – crime, drugs and alcohol.^[20] Despite this controversy, 55 people have moved into The Oaks, which has 24-hour staffing and surveillance, is a gated facility to control access to the grounds and minimize trouble that could occur.^[19]

References

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