The view from my office at Shepherds of Good Hope looks down Murray Street, west toward the ByWard Market.
So much has changed since I joined Shepherds in 2014, and when I leave my role as President and CEO on June 30, I’ll think of that view, the people I’ve met, and the changes I’ve seen over the past nine-and-half years.
I’ll think about the people I work with every day at Shepherds. Many come as volunteers or students, like Stephen Bartolo, our incoming CEO, and stay with Shepherds, thriving in careers that make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Thank you.
I’ll fondly remember the volunteers who prepare and serve meals in our community kitchen all year round. Every person who receives a meal at our kitchen on Murray Street. Every resident who has obtained their forever home in our supportive housing residences. Every volunteer who has given us their precious time to prepare meals, lead activities, serve on our Boards of Directors, help with fundraising events and more. Many of those volunteers live here in Lowertown. Thank you.
I’ll think about the community associations across the city who come together to make their neighbourhoods better places to live. We listen and learn and join you in your quest to make Ottawa a vibrant place to live. This is our community too. Thank you.
I’ll think often of our partners at the Ottawa Police Service, Ottawa Paramedic Service, Ottawa Inner-City Health, Carefor Health & Community Services, the City of Ottawa and many others who we partner with in our achievable goal of ending chronic homelessness in Ottawa. Thank you.
The people I’ll think of most are those who access our services. They’ve been instrumental in helping me change the way I view life. They are like you and me but because of severe trauma, substance use, mental and physical health challenges and other life-altering events, they come to Shepherds for unwavering and unlimited support they often can’t find anywhere else.
Shepherds welcomes them without judgement. They inspire me. Every day, they demonstrate resiliency and the strength of the human spirit.
All of us at Shepherds of Good Hope care deeply about those who need our services. Many have arrived here, unsure of where their personal journey will take them. We welcome them, we encourage them, we show them that people do care, and they respond.
As I embrace the next chapter in my life, I’m proud to say we’ve helped facilitate new chapters in the lives of many. For the first time in our history, Shepherds has more people living in our supportive housing residences across Ottawa than we have in our shelter. We have tipped the scales of ending chronic homelessness in the right direction by expanding supportive housing across the city.
My career at Shepherds of Good Hope has changed me forever. It is because of everyone I’ve mentioned and so many more, too numerous to mention.
I’m proud to have worked here, and I’m thankful for everyone I’ve met over the years.
While my view may soon be different, I’ll always care about Shepherds and the Lowertown community, two places that will forever be dear to my heart.
Thank you.