News Releases

2010 ROOPH Award Winners

Listed below are the winners of the 2010 ROOPH Awards, as well as the other nominees. Homeward Trust congratulates all the winners and nominees, and thanks them for their hard work and service. 

The Larry Shaben Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Housing Sector

Jim Gurnett

A long time advocate, Jim has worked in the area of housing in several capacities. He has been involved with the Hope Foundation, served as Community Services Manager at the Bissell Centre, and most recently as Executive Director of the Edmonton Mennonite Centre for Newcomers. At the Mennonite Centre, he worked on housing and related services for new Canadians, and developed the first supported housing program in Canada for traumatized refugees. This program has since been modeled in a number of other cities. He has served as a spokesperson, and done policy development for the Edmonton Coalition on Housing and Homelessness (ECOHH), and founded the annual event, HomeFest.

Partnerships for Success

City of Edmonton Youth Council Homelessness Sub-committee

In 2007, a group of concerned members of the City of Edmonton Youth Council first came together to talk about how they could address the issue of homelessness in Edmonton. A year later, the Youth Council launched Heart 2 Art. Working in partnership with groups such as the Canadian Home Builders’ Association, Edmonton Region, and the Urban Development Institute, Greater Edmonton Chapter, this project raised funds for Boyle Street Community Services. An art contest for students K-12 on the topic of homelessness raised awareness, and culminated in a fundraising gala that raised $110,000.

Following the success of Heart 2 Art, the Homelessness Sub-Committee has moved on to the Streets Speak Mural Project, a partnership with youth group iPulse and United Way. Working with homeless-serving agencies, this project has facilitated the creation of murals by client-artists; they will be displayed at City Hall in February 2010 as part of an educational celebration.

Nominees: Operation Friendship Seniors' Society and Capital Region Housing Corporation 

Excellence in Building Design

HIP Architects, for Immigration Hall

Working with Hope Mission, as well as Stantec Consulting and Clark Buildings, this project is a vibrant reuse and reinvigoration of a historic building. From its opening in 1930 through the 1970s, the Immigration Hall building served as a welcoming place for new Canadians. Neglected for the better part of 20 years, and condemned and facing demolition 5 years ago, it has been brought back to life through a stunning renovation that incorporates a handicap lift, a green roof terrace, and provides tenants with security and all the basic amenities.

Today, it serves as a safe and welcoming transitional housing facility. With 44 living suites, it serves clients being housed through the housing first program. The building that housed generations of new Canadians as they transitioned to self-sufficiency will now do the same for those who have fallen on hard times.

Nominees: Rockliff Architect, for ArtsHub118; Rockliff Architects, for Sundance Place  

Exceptional Volunteerism in the Housing Sector

Direct Energy – Edmonton Office

Among its many philanthropic efforts in the past 8 years, Direct Energy’s Edmonton office, and its employees, have given $2.5 million, and volunteered countless hours, towards efforts to address homelessness and to reducing stigma association with our vulnerable populations. Their notable accomplishments include raising over $6100 as part of the Raising the Roof toque campaign, and making over 500 comfort kits in 2009 for the homeless as part of the Homeless Connect event.

Nominees: June Finlay, Jennifer Chambers
 

Outstanding Service for the Aboriginal Community

Ed Lavallee                                                                                 

A tireless advocate for the homeless, and for Aboriginal people, Ed serves the community in many ways. Notably, he provides guidance and hope in his role as an Elder at the Bissell Centre, where he helps people, especially the homeless, reconnect with their culture. In 2009, he brought this service to Homeless Connect, setting up a teepee, and bringing in other Elders to help. Ed’s service to the community reflects that having a home goes beyond having a roof over your head; it’s about having a place where you can be safe and comfortable.

Nominees: Métis Nation of Alberta
 

For More Information: 

Susan McGee                                                                                      Alex Abboud
Executive Director                                                                           Communications Manager,
Homeward Trust Edmonton                                                        Homeward Trust Edmonton
smcgee@homewardtrust.ca                                                      aabboud@homewardtrust.ca
(780) 496-6035 or (780) 905-1232                                               (780) 944-2845 or (780) 902-6858