HOPE GROWS WHEN COMMUNITY COMES TOGETHER
Imagine not knowing where you will sleep tonight, with no safe place to call home.
The problem is only getting worse, with more and more people needing safe, stable, and supportive housing right now.
Like you, we believe that everyone deserves a second chance and the opportunity to rebuild their lives. That’s why we need your help today!
Ann and her mother, Mary, are integral members of our Shepherds of Good Hope family. They have witnessed firsthand the increasing strain on our emergency services. The demand is increasing as more people arrive at the doors of Shepherds seeking food, warmth, and safety.
Ann began as a volunteer during COVID, driven by a deep desire to find more meaning and purpose in her day-to-day actions. This initial act of kindness led her to a full-time role supporting our programs, now as an Assistant Manager.
Inspired by her daughter’s dedication and looking to the universe for guidance, after retirement, Mary also found her place here—volunteering in our Community Soup Kitchen and at Hope Living supportive housing.
Together, they embody what Shepherds is all about: community, compassion, and the journey from crisis to stability. A journey that isn’t possible without you as part of the Shepherds Family!
Ann has seen both the struggles and the successes firsthand.
“Growing up, I watched a family member go from being homeless and struggling with substance use to becoming substance-free and owning their own business,” she says. “Not everyone will have the same journey, but I truly believe there’s hope for everyone.”
For Ann, working at Shepherds of Good Hope is not just about providing immediate care—it’s about believing in second chances and the potential for change.
Ann shared a sweet moment she recently witnessed right here at Shepherds: a longtime shelter guest received the keys to his very own home at one of our Supportive Housing Residences. As he stepped into his new space, overwhelmed with emotion, he asked, “Wait, so this is my own home?”. Ann can’t help the tears that well up in her eyes anytime she recounts this story. “This is why we do what we do!”
But these moments should be the norm, not the exception.
Your support is critical in making permanent housing solutions a reality for our neighbours experiencing homelessness. Your gift today will give a person their first life-changing step into a safe, supportive home.
Mary also understands the toll that constant instability takes on people. In the Community kitchen, she sees faces that have grown more familiar over time—people who come in daily because they have nowhere else to turn.
“I always say hello. I look them in the eye. I ask how they are. And when they smile back, I know I’ve made a small difference,” Mary says. “Sometimes, the smallest gestures remind someone that they matter. “
Without stable housing and the necessary support, many of our neighbours will remain trapped in the cycle of homelessness.
Ann remembers growing up with a strong sense of community, something her mother instilled in her. “I remember being so excited, when I was 12 or 13, to hop into the van with my mom to deliver coffee, hugs, and small gifts to people experiencing homelessness. That compassion and sense of giving back never left me.”
Mary agrees, “That’s how I was raised, too. My father delivered Meals on Wheels; my mother helped those in need. Community has always been important to me. But today, the scale of need is overwhelming. More people are struggling than ever before.”
One of the best parts of their journey at Shepherds is that they’ve deepened their bond as mother and daughter. “It’s special,” Ann shares. “There’s an understanding between us—when I need a listening-ear, I know she gets it”
Mary agrees, “I’m grateful we share this experience. I see Ann’s dedication, and it makes me so proud. We’re not just helping others—we’re growing together.”
A meal today could be the first step toward stability. A warm place to sleep tonight could be the start of a new path. Your kindness and generosity fuel these transformations!
Ann and Mary’s story is one of many, behind the walls of Shepherds of Good Hope. But what ties them all together is really what is at the heart of Shepherds of Good Hope. It’s about people helping people, communities coming together, and making second chances possible.
Ann shares one last thought:
“I wish people knew how much Shepherds does beyond just emergency shelter and meals. I didn’t even realize the full continuum of care when I started! But we help people move forward. We provide a path to something better. But this isn’t a journey we can do alone. Shepherds is about service without judgment, it’s about dignity, and it’s about community – we need our community now to join our team.”