[homeles_ot-l] ATEH honoured with Quality of Life award -- also see "Moving stories about mental health"

[Lynne Browne]

FYI, ATEH's Quality of Life award in the Ottawa Citizen, also see this
moving story about mental health.

 

LYNNE BROWNE

Executive Director, Alliance to End Homelessness Ottawa

 

DIFFERENCE-MAKERS LAUDED 

Community leader Marc Jolicoeur may not win a prize for his budding Movember
'stache, but the lawyer is gaining other accolades, beginning with an award
from the St. Joe's Women's Centre for making a difference in the community. 

Some 150 guests attended Thursday's fundraising dinner at St. Joseph's
Church banquet hall, including Westin GM John Jarvis, whose hotel sponsored
the meal and service. Jolicoeur, regional managing partner at Borden Ladner
Gervais, received a Quality of Life Award along with Newport Restaurant
owner Moe Atallah and the Alliance to End Homelessness, represented by its
volunteer chair, Dan Sabourin, from Youth Services Bureau (the alliance has
become one of the primary advocacy groups for the homeless in Ottawa). 

Jolicoeur said he was honoured to be included among present and past
recipients of the award and to be recognized by the women's centre, a small
organization that makes a great impact. He was nominated by photographer
Michelle Valberg. Jolicoeur will be among the first citizens to receive an
Order of Ottawa medal from the City of Ottawa at a Nov. 22 ceremony (winners
are being announced Friday). 

********************************************

.         From the 12 Nov 2012  Ottawa Citizen  Carolyn001 at sympatico.ca
CAROLINE PHILLIPS 


Moving stories about mental health: Shelley McKay tells of the abuse she
endured


Keeping "a stiff upper lip" was frowned upon at a reception the governor
general's wife, Sharon Johnston, hosted Wednesday at Rideau Hall for
supporters of the Royal Ottawa's Women in Mental Health philanthropic
program. 

Speaker Shelley McKay bravely shared with 175 women her story of mental
illness, speaking in the Tent Room where portraits of British-born governors
general hung on the pink-striped walls. 

The former valedictorian and elite athlete held back her tears as she opened
up about her post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) caused by years of
domestic abuse. She spoke of the fear, the shame, the isolation and her
attempts to take her own life. 

McKay, who's doing better now, ran a half-marathon in Stittsville last month
for the Royal Ottawa Foundation for Mental Health. 

"It was a tangible example of how I can live with mental illness and still
be a strong, healthy, contributing member of my community," said McKay, who
received a warm hug from Johnston as listeners applauded her moving speech. 

The philanthropic program has recruited 300 women and has so far raised $1.2
million to help with depression research, telemedicine, education and
advocacy. 

The Johnstons gave a fun glimpse into their enduring marriage at the event.
In her speech, Sharon gave a plug to a young adult book by Shelley Peterson,
wife of former premier David Peterson. It tackles the theme of mental
illness. 

She held up a copy, but didn't mention the title, prompting Gov. Gen. David
Johnston to shout out from the crowd: "What's the name of the book?" Replied
Sharon to her other half: "Are you testing me? It's Mystery at Saddle Creek,
and you're going to read it this weekend!" ..

DIFFERENCE-MAKERS LAUDED 

Community leader Marc Jolicoeur may not win a prize for his budding Movember
'stache, but the lawyer is gaining other accolades, beginning with an award
from the St. Joe's Women's Centre for making a difference in the community. 

Some 150 guests attended Thursday's fundraising dinner at St. Joseph's
Church banquet hall, including Westin GM John Jarvis, whose hotel sponsored
the meal and service. 

Jolicoeur, regional managing partner at Borden Ladner Gervais, received a
Quality of Life Award along with Newport Restaurant owner Moe Atallah and
the Alliance to End Homelessness, represented by its volunteer chair, Dan
Sabourin, from Youth Services Bureau (the alliance has become one of the
primary advocacy groups for the homeless in Ottawa). 

Jolicoeur said he was honoured to be included among present and past
recipients of the award and to be recognized by the women's centre, a small
organization that makes a great impact. He was nominated by photographer
Michelle Valberg. 

Jolicoeur will be among the first citizens to receive an Order of Ottawa
medal from the City of Ottawa at a Nov. 22 ceremony (winners are being
announced Friday). 

 

 

Linda O'Neil

Public Education Consultant

Canadian Mental Health Association, Ottawa Branch

301-1355 Bank St., Ottawa ON, K1H 8K7

loneil at cmhaottawa.ca 

Tel: (613) 737-7791 Ext 135

 

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