It seemed fitting that Shepherds of Good Hope held its anniversary celebration in a repurposed church, given that it was in a church where the organization started serving its first meals to hungry people experiencing homelessness exactly 40 years ago.
Staff, volunteers, board members, community leaders, partners and business supporters congregated at Allsaints Event Space in Sandy Hill on Tuesday for a special evening of song and stories, capped off with Mayor Mark Sutcliffe proclaiming it Shepherds of Good Hope Day in Ottawa.
Deirdre Freiheit, president and CEO of Shepherds of Good Hope and of its fundraising arm, accepted the framed letter of proclamation on behalf of the individuals her organization is helping every single day. “This is for them.”
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Shepherds has been making a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people through its specialized services, programs and partnerships, the room heard. What’s most remarkable is that it’s on the cusp of having more men and women living in its supportive housing facilities than living in its shelter programs.
The evening helped to put a face to homelessness by giving everyone greater understanding of the heart-breaking tragedies and abuse suffered by some of the individuals who turn to Shepherds for food, warmth and shelter.
“We do our best to offer hope, we do our best to offer dignity, we do our best to provide compassion and to help people who come through our door take that next step to a better life,” said Freiheit.
She expressed her gratitude to the volunteers, to the community, and to the front-line staff “for the incredible work that they do day in and day out. It is an absolute pleasure and a sincere privilege for me to work alongside them every day,” said Freiheit.
The crowd heard how innovative programs at Shepherds, such as its managed alcohol program meant to reduce harm for chronic alcoholics, have attracted global interest.
“One of Ottawa’s greatest exports is not only innovation but compassion,” said Freiheit.
The evening showcased the video debut of the third creative collaboration involving Ottawa musicians and their use of the universal language of music to help tell Shepherds’ story, as well as to reach new audiences.
Their new rendition of Lean on Me, directed and edited by Ottawa’s Eric Eggleston, has singers and musicians performing in locations around Ottawa (Saunders Farm, ByWard Market, Nepean Sailing Club and Irene’s Pub are among the featured spots). Participating artists include Tara Shannon, Sam Stone, Lynne Hanson, Michael Curtis Hanna, Tyler Kealey, London Trio Plus, Matt Luloff and many more. The productions make a point of including Shepherds’ staff, volunteers and service users.
“It’s been an honour to be part of this musical journey with Shepherds of Good Hope on all three of the musical collaborations,” Eggleston said as he and Shannon took to the stage.
Over the past two years, artists also performed renditions of Here Comes the Sun and Stand by Me. “Each song chosen by Shepherds has purpose and meaning,” said Shannon of the collective values that the songs reflect: optimism, hope, compassion, acceptance, community, connection and empathy.
An all-female youth choir from the Pop Shop Performing Arts Academy of Ottawa later sang the three classic hits live on stage.
The evening included a video congratulations from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Ottawa Vanier MP Mona Fortier, president of the Treasury Board, was there. So was Angela Singhal, executive vice president of Richcraft Homes, which made the largest donation in Shepherds’ history toward creating more supportive housing. The room heard from Shepherds’ board chair Dave Donaldson, retired dean of the School of Business at Algonquin College, and Murray MacDonald, director of public affairs for Bell Canada. It was the presenting sponsor through its Bell Let’s Talk program.
Long-time Shepherds supporter John Peters, a partner at Gowling WLG, was seen in conversation with guest Siobhan Devlin, whose late mother, Agnes Devlin, was one of the founding members and volunteers of Shepherds of Good Hope. Each year, the organization hands out a volunteer award named after Agnes, who was quite a woman.
The venue space looked particularly lovely thanks to Carole Saad, owner of Chic + Swell Event Designers and LouLou Lounge Furniture Rental. Former TV host Kurt Stoodley, who’s now a realtor with ReMax, helped out as emcee.
Freiheit gave a special shout-out to some of the other non-profit organizations working to provide supporting housing to vulnerable populations, including The Ottawa Mission, Ottawa Community Housing and Options ByTown. “We all work together,” she said.
She also told guest Sheila Burnett how honoured they were that she attended. Burnett was executive director of Shepherds for 32 years. “Shepherds would not be what it is today without your grit, your tenacity, your determination and your compassion for those less fortunate,” Freiheit told her.
Shepherds got its start on Feb. 7, 1983 after Father Jack Heffernan, pastor of Saint Brigid’s parish in the Lowertown district, along with volunteers, began providing meals from a kitchen in the church basement to hungry people experiencing homelessness.
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