Stars in the fight against homelessness honoured

EDMONTON - Five organizations and one individual were honoured recently for their efforts to end homelessness in Edmonton. Close to 300 people were in attendance for the 2011 ROOPH Awards, held at the downtown Westin Hotel on February 1st. The winners were:

• The Larry Shaben Award for Outstanding Service in the Housing Sector: Jim Gurnett
• Partnerships for Success: City of Edmonton Youth Council Homelessness Sub-Committee
• Excellence in Building Design: HIP Architects, for Immigration Hall
• Exceptional Volunteerism in the Housing Sector: Direct Energy, Edmonton Office
• Outstanding Service for the Aboriginal Community: Ed Lavallee

"It is incredible to see the work that is being done in the community to advance the goal of ending homelessness" said Susan McGee, Executive Director of Homeward Trust Edmonton. "We are so proud to be able to recognize the hard work and great success of our five winners and of all the nominees. Ending homelessness is a community-wide effort. With the strong leadership of government, the strength of our agencies and services sector, and the hard work of countless volunteers, we will achieve our goal of ending homelessness in 10 years".

2011 ROOPH Award Winners

The Larry Shaben Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Housing Sector: Jim Gurnett

A long time advocate, Jim 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. 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

The City of Edmonton Youth Council first came together in 2007 to talk about how to address homelessness in Edmonton. A year later, the Council launched Heart 2 Art. Working 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.

The Homelessness Sub-Committee has moved on to the Streets Speak Mural Project, a partnership with iPulse and United Way. Working with homeless-serving agencies, this project eases the creation of murals by client-artists and displayed at City Hall in February 2010 as part of an educational celebration.

Excellence in Building Design: HIP Architects – Immigration Hall

Working with Hope Mission, as well as Stantec Consulting and Clark Buildings, this project is a reuse and reinvigoration of a historic building. From 1930 through the 1970s, the Immigration Hall building served as a welcoming place for new Canadians. Neglected for 20 years, condemned and facing demolition 5 years ago, it has been renovated to include a handicap lift, a green roof terrace, and provides tenants with security and all the basic amenities.

As a transitional housing facility with 44 living suites, it serves clients being housed through the housing first program.

Exceptional Volunteerism in the Housing Sector: Direct Energy – Edmonton Office

In the past 8 years, Direct Energy's Edmonton office, and its employees, have given $2.5 million, and volunteered hours, towards efforts to address homelessness and to reducing the stigma associated with it. 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.

Outstanding Service for the Aboriginal Community: Ed Lavallee

A tireless advocate for the homeless, and for Aboriginal people, Ed 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.

Edmonton - Edmonton City News