Veterans’ House Canada – 5th Anniversary Celebration of the Andy Carswell Building.
Members of the RCMP Pipes and Drums perform alongside dancers during the opening of the formal program at Veterans’ House Canada’s Andy Carswell Building 5th Anniversary celebration at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum. Photo by James Park.
Veterans’ House Canada (VHC) marked a landmark milestone at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, celebrating five years of the Andy Carswell Building alongside 100 supporters, partners, veterans, and community leaders.
Since opening in 2021, the Andy Carswell Building (ACB) has provided permanent housing and wraparound support services to over 80 Veterans at risk or experiencing homelessness.
The evening opened with a performance by the RCMP Pipes and Drums before Executive Director BGen (Ret’d) Alan Mulawyshyn and Major Colin Carswell, grandson of legacy supporter Andy Carswell, reflected on five years of impact and the road ahead. The Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and MP Mona Fortier, a longtime supporter, were among the distinguished guests in attendance.
This fall, VHC’s second permanent home opens in Edmonton, with 40 units, and the vision doesn’t stop there. From coast to coast, VHC are actively seeking partners to invest in longterm solutions.
Brigadier-General (Ret’d) Alan Mulawyshyn (Executive Director, Veterans’ House Canada) and Major Colin Carswell (Canso Investment Counsel Ltd.) cutting the anniversary cake at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum, May 28, 2026.The Honourable Jill McKnight (Minister of Veterans Affairs), BGen (Ret’d) Alan Mulawyshyn (Executive Director, VHC), and Amanda Mulawyshyn (event organizer) arrive at Veterans’ House Canada’s Andy Carswell Building 5th Anniversary celebration at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum.MP Mona Fortier acknowledges attendees during Veterans’ House Canada’s Andy Carswell Building 5th Anniversary celebration at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum.Left to right (standing): Trevor Friesen, (Edmonton Operations Manager, VHC), Wayne Duggan (Ottawa Operations Manager, VHC), and Amanda Mulawyshyn (Event organizer) join fellow attendees in watching the formal program during Veterans’ House Canada’s Andy Carswell Building 5th Anniversary celebration at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum.Major Colin Carswell delivers a toast during Veterans’ House Canada’s Andy Carswell Building 5th Anniversary celebration at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum. Photo by James Park.BGen (Ret’d) Alan Mulawyshyn (Executive Director, Veterans’ House Canada) and J’Lyn Nye (member of the VHC Board of Directors and emcee for the evening), prepare to join the toast during Veterans’ House Canada’s Andy Carswell Building 5th Anniversary celebration at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum. Photo by James Park.Left to right: Elizabeth Eldridge, Carol Raoult (VHC volunteer), Amanda Mulawyshyn (Event organizer), and Alyssa Gagne at Veterans’ House Canada’s Andy Carswell Building 5th Anniversary celebration at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum. Photo by James Park.Left to right: Stéphane Guy (National Operations Manager, VHC), Klaus Kollenberg (Board member, VHC), André Thivierge (Co-founder, City of Ottawa Veterans Task Force) and Andrée Paige (Co-Chair, City of Ottawa Veterans Task Force) at Veterans’ House Canada’s Andy Carswell Building 5th Anniversary celebration at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum. Photo by James Park.Alan Mulawyshyn (Executive Director, VHC) and Ala’a Shadid (Executive Director, Multifaith Housing Initiative) greet one another during Veterans’ House Canada’s Andy Carswell Building 5th Anniversary celebration at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum. Photo by James Park.Left to right: LGen (Re’d) Stu Beare (Soldiers Helping Soldiers), J’Lyn Nye (member of VHC Board of Directors), Michel Charron (CEO, Commissionaires Ottawa), Major Colin Carswell, Marie-Pier Nault (spouse of Major Colin Carswell), and BGen (Ret’d) Alan Mulawyshyn (Executive Director, VHC) gather during Veterans’ House Canada’s Andy Carswell Building 5th Anniversary celebration at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum. Photo by James Park.Left to right: Sheldon Leong (Director of Fund Development, Multifaith Housing Initiative), Sahada Alolo (Director of Community Engagement, Multifaith Housing Initiative), and Ala’a Shadid (Executive Director, Multifaith Housing Initiative) pose for a photo after the formal program at Veterans’ House Canada’s Andy Carswell Building 5th Anniversary celebration at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum. Photo by James Park.
