It takes a community to make a family. This Thanksgiving, you can help bring a family back together.
When you think of Thanksgiving, what comes to mind? For many of us, it’s family, not just the one we’re born into, but the one we choose, the people who show up when life gets hard.
At Shepherds of Good Hope, our family includes residents in supportive housing, guests in our shelter, dedicated staff, and volunteers… and you. Together, we make it possible for people to find home, hope, and belonging.
Right now, thanks to Keller Engineering, every gift made before October 31 will be matched, dollar for dollar — meaning your generosity goes twice as far.
*Donate today to double your impact.
Krystal’s Story: From Caregiver Back to Daughter
Krystal grew up in Ottawa. Like many of us, she works hard, loves her family, and cheers for her favourite sports team. But for years, she carried a heartbreaking burden: her mom’s struggle with alcoholism and homelessness.
Despite every effort, from calling housing offices to trying to engage MPs, to help find assistance for her mom, nothing seemed to work. Krystal eventually welcomed her mom into her home, but her mom’s addiction made it impossible to maintain this living situation. With nowhere else to turn, Krystal made the painful decision to bring her mom to the Shepherds’ downtown shelter.
“It tore my heart into a million pieces,” Krystal recalls. “I thought, I cannot believe I did this to my own flesh and blood.”
Months later, in August 2024, everything changed. Krystal got the call:
“We’d like your mom to join The Oaks family.”
The Oaks is one of Shepherds of Good Hope’s supportive housing residences, with 24/7 care provided by staff and nurses. On August 12, her mom moved in.
Not long after, a nurse said the words Krystal will never forget:
“You no longer have to be her caregiver. You can go back to being her daughter.”
The relief was indescribable. Her mom was safe. Krystal could simply be her daughter again.
You can make that next call possible!
Stories like Krystal’s are only possible because of people like you. Right now, more families are waiting for that life-changing call: “We’ve found you a home.”
This Thanksgiving, you can help make it happen.
- A gift of $5 (doubled to $10) provides two warm meals.
- A gift of $50 (doubled to $100) provides bedding for new residents.
- A gift of $500 (doubled to $1,000) provides two full weeks of housing.
Every dollar you give by October 31 will be doubled by Keller Engineering, helping daughters go back to being daughters… sons go back to being sons… and families to be families again.