Terra Brake & 1095

Terra Brake chose to work at Shepherds of Good Hope because the vision aligns with her moral code and ethics: Homes for all. Community for all. Hope for all.

“I want to contribute to my community,” says Terra. “I was raised to do so.”

Growing up in a housing co-operative in a low-income neighborhood in Ottawa, Terra’s mother instilled a sense of pride in the appearance and upkeep of their home. Terra kept those lessons in the back of her mind when using her technical and creative skills to create a warm, welcoming entrance at 1095 Merivale Road.

“I learned many of those skills from my mom,” she says. “She always taught me to fix things before throwing them out. I also recognize the power of a little paint.” Terra’s career path and the skills she has mastered led her to Shepherds in December 2023.

She started working in metal fabrication; her employer noticed her aptitude and trained her to form sheet metal on a CNC Brake press, leading her to a robotics automation and training role as a lead hand. From there, she moved to a position as a junior aerospace technician, forming and riveting aircraft skins.

After seeing a facilities job posting at Shepherds, Terra knew she had found her calling.

“I strongly support harm reduction initiatives,” says Terra. “I was aware of Shepherds. I volunteered in the kitchen when I was a child.”

A resident in the same ward as 1095 Merivale Road, Terra closely follows the news and negative comments. It makes her want to work harder.

“I know that the way to effect change is to get to know people., to have a voice, and to be involved.”

Terra’s work includes fixing doors, snaking drains, preparing rooms for new residents, and designing and transforming dreary entrances into warm, welcoming first impressions.

As Terra goes about her daily work, the fiscal responsibility of her role is at the forefront of her mind.

“I recognise every program has a budget,” she says. “We must try to make efficient, thoughtful repairs and carry out effective preventative maintenance to keep residents healthy and safe at home, and ensure we are able to put as much of our funding as possible towards programme participants. One of my goals is to make sound choices that support our goals as an organization.”

Fiscal responsibility aside, Terra’s work is about people and includes getting to know residents and staff, while building on the empathy instilled in her by her parents.

“I’m building relationships with residents and it’s nice. Building trust. They know if something needs to be done, they can count on me to resolve it, or find someone who can.” she says when asked about working with residents at 1095 Merivale.

“When I interviewed for this job, I knew the Shepherds’ vision. It’s not just a facilities job. It’s so much more nuanced.”

As a woman in a non-traditional occupation, Terra is used to encountering some gender biases.

“Though people might underestimate me or expect ‘a guy from maintenance’ I find it easier at Shepherds, because of all the women and greater diversity in the workplace. I notice it less here. I keep showing up and doing the work. That’s my secret power.”

Shepherds of Good Hope is happy Terra has chosen to share her secret power, her ability to connect, her empathy and the values and lessons taught by her parents, with people experiencing homelessness.

For Terra, it’s more than a job at Shepherds…it’s a calling and, every day she comes to work, she proudly answers the call.