Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes recognized for housing excellence

HAMILTON, ON, Nov. 19, 2012 /CNW/ - Good Shepherd Non-Profit Homes was recognized for its pursuit of excellence in non-profit housing by the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) this past weekend.

The Award for Excellence, one of ONPHA's annual awards, recognizes a non-profit housing provider that responds to community and tenant need with imagination and insight.

Good Shepherd is an integral member of the Hamilton Community. Founded in Toronto and Hamilton in 1989 by the Brothers of the Good Shepherd, they strive to provide services that will support individuals to recover from the effects of mental illness, homelessness and poverty.

Tenants and clients are fully engaged in the operation of Good Shepherd. They hire tenants to help them deliver their recreational programs, which frees up their staff to provide support to others. "Our approach works by creating a sense of community, accountability, and ownership" says Heidi Billyard, Director, Tenant and Housing Services. "Clients benefit from a job well done, knowing they have supplied work to people who might otherwise not get the chance to work."

To promote wellness in their buildings and community, Good Shepherd also offers a range of social, recreational, and health-oriented programs including a wellness and lifestyle change program for adults living with a mental health diagnosis in Hamilton.

"Good Shepherd has a deep-seated commitment to the development of healthy, resilient and equitable communities," says Sharad Kerur, ONPHA Executive Director. "Their commitment to innovation and them compassion make them a great example of the excellence that exists within our sector."

About ONPHA:

For more than 20 years, the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA) has been the voice of non-profit housing in Ontario.  Our 770 member organizations operate more than 163,000 non‐profit housing units in over 220 communities in Ontario. They provide affordable homes to a diverse range of tenants, including: seniors; low‐income families with children; Aboriginal people; the working poor; victims of violence and abuse; people living with developmental disabilities, mental illness, addictions and HIV/AIDS; and the formerly homeless/hard‐to‐house.

About the ONPHA Awards:

The award winners were announced during ONPHA's 2012 Conference and Trade Show from November 16-18.  Over 1,100 representatives from Ontario's affordable housing sector gathered together for this three-day event, featuring more than 85 workshop events and a trade show with more than 80 exhibitors.

Since 1997, many individuals and non-profits have been recognized for their contributions to the sector.  There are many more that deserve to be recognized and rewarded for their dedication to, and support of, non-profit housing. Videos of each award recipient are available at www.onpha.on.ca/awards.

SOURCE: Ontario Non-Profit Housing Association (ONPHA)

Media contact:
Shard Kerur
Executive Director, ONPHA
416-723-2835
[email protected]  

Find ONPHA online:
www.onpha.on.ca
www.facebook.com/ONPHA
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