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Building Hope through Education
By Grant McKenzie
as carpentry, cleaning, cooking and gardening in our commercial greenhouse. Thanks to donors, this program continues to grow. Curiosity is a keystone in life. It is the driving force behind wanting to learn more about the world around us. Our Place strives to remove as many obstacles as we can on this life-long journey – a journey that can start by coming into Our Place for a meal and having someone say, “Hello.”
Our Place Society was recognized by MacLean’s magazine as one of the top 100 charities in Canada for 2020.
INSIDE
magine having worked for 30 years and never admitting that you couldn’t understand most of what you were asked to read. Or being a grandmother, struggling to keep your grandchildren from falling through the same cracks you did, but wanting a better life for them. Now imagine how you would feel if someone said “You’re not a dummy. I believe in you!” And those words were the opposite of what you had been hearing your whole life. At Our Place, we believe in providing hope. For some, hope is as simple as “Hello” and an invitation to share a meal, as it shows the person they are not invisible. For others, it’s helping them up when they’ve fallen on tough times, and offering them an opportunity to go to detox. Some men will qualify to then enter the New Roads Therapeutic Recovery Community located in View Royal. And for others, it’s education. So many of the people who walk through our doors have never had anyone believe in them before, so even when we offer them the chance to upgrade their education, it can be daunting. And that’s where trust – the trust built
by our team of outreach workers over weeks, months, even years – comes in. And the best part is, we truly do believe in the people we help. Over the years, we have had a wonderful relationship with Camosun College. The instructors shared our belief in the value of education. They brought expertise and wonderful gifts of compassion, patience, and a way of teaching that isn’t intimidating. Classes included Basic English, Math and Computer classes, plus a Workskills for NonProfits academic training program. Also, for those interested in seeking work, we offer preemployment skills classes in our employment program. One program is specifically designed for women who want to re-enter the workforce. With the help of our job coaches over the past year, 40 individuals have found work with local employers. We also provide a Work as Therapy program at New Roads. With the assistance of local professionals, residents can learn job skills such
S U L P s l a e M f o t f i G e h t Give . g n i v i g s k n a h this T
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eal, one of our job. Sharing a m heard her outreach workers uced her to a stor y, and introd r that helps program we offe into work. AMY people get back series Amy enrolled in a reparation of employment p ll. With help workshops last fa hes, she from our job coac dent, created grew more confi hired by one a resume and was e employers who ar of the 20 caring y m rogram. Today, A par tners in this p lly fu in who are now ga s te ua ad gr 45 is one of suppor ted s more are being en oz D d. ye lo group p em oom. New small Z on ub cl b jo l in the virtua fall. up for classes star t this PLUS, and a hand ls ea m r fe of us Please help $ 3.11 or more will of ft gi ur Yo l. A and healthpeople like Amy rt, compassion, fo m co S LU P ls ggling to provide hot mea ion for those stru at uc ed d an , es giving servic now. feel grateful right calm and s, we wish you a ur yo to ily m fa r From ou ng. restful Thanksgivi
Dear Reader, e, family, a safe hom ng vi lo a ve ha u yo f to e, you have lots and food to shar anksgiving. celebrate this Th case But that’s not the e for those who ar homeless, hungry and alone. With nger nights growing lo e AL and colder, this tim y an m es ak of year m feel all the more depressed. One of my s at family’s tradition aring sh Thanksgiving is ul for. what we’re gratef caring and This October, the onors to Our compassionate d my list. Join us? S, for Place will be on a hot meal PLU e d vi ro p n ca A gift of $ 3.11 hanksgiving. ith ever y someone this T added benefit w n a s e’ er th , with ce At Our Pla ful conversation lp he a to ad le n ca hot meal served. It clean clothes, a to ly, ss ce ac Gratefully r, n ke or ement in lv vo in , an outreach w re ca ot fo r nursing and much shower, voluntee bs on site, and so jo r fo am gr ro p our “Hand Up” more. ation can ngly believe educ ro st I r, he d. ac te As a former Marg Rose, M. E ty – as it was for er ov p of t ou ay hw ons). nthropy be a powerful pat Director of Phila e for privacy reas m na r he d ge an n shelter Amy (we’ve ch ty. ing in a downtow liv as w an ww.ourplacesocie thy w om ng at w le e a lin g on in w te llo na This young ls. Fo cheque. PS : You can do ur Place for mea 5060, or mail in a ggling 0ru st 94 n 0ee 25 b at and coming to O d ha us y ll com, or ca x receipt and our car accident, Am ta a al ci om fi fr of ry an ve e iv co re Every gift will rece g, tin ea tion! b to find a job. a n hear tfelt apprecia esteem had take lfse d an ce en d to find a Her confi ore than anything m d te an w ill st e but sh
A Legacy of Lov e for Denise
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enise Pearce, bor n Februar y 18, 1941 Described as a st in rong, honest, high Toronto, died ca ly intelligent woman lmly and – with an open he painlessly of canc ar t, active mind, end er in less energy and her sleep at the a wonderful sense Saanich of humour – Den Peninsula Hospic ise’s career reflected e on her kindness and November 9, 2011 generosity to Vic . But her stor y will live on toria’s most vuln for years to com erable p e eople. – thanks to her husband, Chr is (aka Niel) Pearc e. She worked at O During their 46 ye ur Club – a centre ars together, thei m providing ea ls and community r love never faltered (although fo r th os Chris admits his e st w ru ith gg mental health issu ling deep devotion to salmon fishing w es – and at Supp as a close rival). In d ep or te en d d ent Living Program And so, to honour memor y, celebra (SIL). When Den her the Execu te their life togeth ise retired, tive Director of th er and continue lifelong commitm e Capital Mental their ent to help others A ss oc Health iation, Gail Simp , Chris has left a in his will to Our son, sent her a th gift Place Society. saying ‘You rem an kyo u note ain unique in my Chris, born in 19 m em or m y of all the staff embers I’ve worke 37 in Colombo, C d with: so warm, eylon (now Sri Lanka), joined th so willing to tr y anything for each e British Army in clients’ benefit an 1955 and came to Canada as an ex d so capable.’ change officer in A s p ar t of their adventurou 1963 to join the Queen’s Own Rifl s lif e together, Denise es of Canada at Chris travelled fo and the Currie Barrack r 18 months in a Calgary. s in Volkswagen cam throughout Europ per e, visiting 24 coun He first met Den tries as far north Norway and as fa ise in 1964 on a as r south as Turkey blind date, arrang a fellow officer, (h and Morocco. ed by “As long e was 27 and Den -time donors to O ise, 23 ). “She sw into the room wea ur Place, this lega ept ring black stocki ho no ur cy gift, in of Denise, will be th ngs and a miniski the rage then) an e continuation of a rt (all to the fulle d I couldn’t help life lived st, a shared love noticing how bea she was. After th and a deep com utiful at date, I knew I m ak in mitment to g this world a little wanted to spend rest of my life with brighter, healthie the her.” caring for some r an d more of the most vulner Married in Toront ab le co people in our mmunity,” says O o in 1965, one ye ur Place CEO Ju ar later – in Hong Kong where Chr lian Daly. is was stationed – Denise gave birt Ursula, and 10 m h to onths later, Natha niel. Chris left the arm y in 1969, immig rated to Canada, and the family m oved to a beautifu l waterfront hom Sidney, BC (whe e in re Chris still lives ). Their youngest Jeremy, was bor ch ild, n in 1979. When Denise co mpleted a BA in For more inform Psychology at U in 1985, she rece ation on establis Vic ived a letter from hing your legacy Our Place, pleas President Howar E. Petch stating, at e contact Norm d “Your high gradua a Cameron at 25 94 0 50 66 tin o g r credit to yourself average brings by email: normac 0 and the university @ ourplacesociet or check out our .” y. co m Estate Planning & Legacy Giving page on our web site at www.our placesociety.co m
Serving Your Community If your group, family or organization would like to sponsor a meal, or if you have further questions about how you can help,
please contact Steven Seltzer at stevens@ ourplacesociety.com or 250-940-5064.
*Note - we will work with you and your volunteers to ensure all health, safety and social distancing measures are in place. HUGE THANKS TO A CHEK TV TEAM FOR SERVING BREAKFAST AT OUR PLACE ON SEPT. 3, 2020!
2020
Thank you to everyone who helped make our Virtual Hungry Hearts Gala Fundraiser an unforgettable experience
O Our Event Committee: Chharlotte Salomon QC - Event Chair
IIan aan n Batey, G Greg and Simone Conner, Lee King, Christine C Ch risti Lewis, Meghan MacGregor ri Aline Mortimer, Victoria Salter, Steven Seltzer, Alison Wedekind, Christine Yam
Our Event Sponsors:
www.ourplacesociety.com