Our Harbour joined community partners on June 3, 2023 on a sunny, breezy day to raise awareness about our services for the English language population of Monteregie. And of course to mark our 20th Anniversary!
We had a great time! Being right next door to the RibFest brought more foot traffic and the benefit of great food and treats nearby.
Shout out to Eric Godin, all the Our Harbour residents who stopped by to chat and enjoy the day, our neighbor Espace Pivot – Carrefour jeunesse-emploi Laporte, and other members of the RHSSPT network ….
Even the police from the Service de police de l’agglomération de Longueuil stopped by!
On Saturday, June 14, residents were front and center at Our Harbour’s 20th Anniversary Art, Talent, and Design Exhibition and Sale, led by volunteer Carol Bulow. It took place on a gorgeous Saturday, St. Lambert’s annual garage sale day, which assured lots of traffic, much of it attracted by the accordion playing of Viktor Kyrychok. Victor’s talented playing drew even more people to our event making contributing to its success. People learned about Our Harbour’s mission and had fun shopping.
Along with their original art, residents sold homemade baked goods and costume jewelry which had been donated to Our Harbour following a jewelry collection drive in the previous months.
Our Harbour’s Annual General Meeting, held on June 14, 2023, kicked off our 20th Anniversary celebrations with a well-attended meeting, and an afternoon tea featuring 20th Anniversary cupcakes.
Along with many friends, supporters and residents, we were honoured to welcome partners Hélène Bordeleau from Table Itinerance Rive Sud, Annie Gaudreault, Community Organizer for the CISSS – Monteregie Centre and David Dietze-Hermosa, Constituency Assistant from MP Alexandra Mendés’ office. Our Harbour was honoured with a certificate of recognition for our 20th Anniversary signed by Alexandra Mendés, Federal Member of Parliament for Brossard – Saint-Lambert. He also presented a letter of greeting and congratulation from The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.
The Our Harbour DÉFI 5KM was created during COVID to encourage our community to embrace the benefits of physical exercise on mental health.
Our third annual DÉFI 5KM had a 20th-anniversary flair! On September 23rd, in collaboration with Espace PIVOT and Tanya Angelo, a psychosocial worker, the 5KM walk welcomed the community at large. We had over 100 registrations, all sporting the bright event t-shirts, created and supplied by Espace PIVOT.
The Our Harbour residents trained weekly alongside coordinators Vanessa Hunt-Ladouceur and Amélie Gauthier-Gilbert to get ready for this year’s circuit in the streets of Saint-Lambert.
“This summer, Our Harbor allowed us to spend two nights and a day at Manoir d’Youville in Châteauguay. It was an enchanting site. There was a lake for kayaking, paddle boats, and a pool for swimming. Residents of Our Harbour and L’Abri en ville enjoyed all-you-can-eat buffets for breakfast, lunch, and supper. This getaway gave the chance to build and strengthen ties between residents while playing cards, taking walks in nature, and discussing everything and nothing. We were accommodated in beautiful hotel-like rooms. We hope to return next year if possible. Ultimately, these will be beautiful memories to keep not far from Montreal, in this magnificent retreat.”
– Alyss Norah Chassagne, resident of Our Harbour.
The Gala Committee brought in a marvelous selection of desirable and very attractive experiences, high-end restaurants, services and products, and beautiful artwork, including four original paintings and a gorgeous queen-sized quilt – there was something for everyone… and everything ended up in the hands of excited participants, often for close to or higher than the face value!
A silent auction, live auction, and Grand Raffle offered fun options suited to everyone’s pocketbook and personality.
Former Coordinator, Perveen Khokhar, shares her thoughts on her time with Our Harbour, showing how so much of what made Our Harbour special from the start continues to this day. Perveen Khokhar was Coordinator at Our Harbour from 2004 until 2017.
“Wow! Twenty years in existence, giving hope, healing, health and community to dozens of people living with mental health issues. Bravo and congratulations.
This makes me feel proud and humbled, to have been a part of this dynamic and caring organization in its beginnings. Yes, I joined Our Harbour when it had been in existence for only six months and was blessed to serve it for nearly 13 years. Back then, it served two residents in one apartment. About 15 dedicated volunteers supported these men and waited impatiently for more. I had never encountered so many giving, caring people all together. One or two here and there but not like this group. And we started growing …
My primary job as Coordinator was to undertake the expansion of OH, while rendering effective services to the residents in place. I told the Board of Directors that I felt like I was planting my feet in freshly fallen snow on a path that led to endless possibilities. And indeed, it did.
For the first four years, I was the only hired help, but was so well supported by my team of volunteers, Catherine Gillbert and Judy Cruchet. I am truly grateful for them being there. Catherine, you never let me feel unsupported. Thank you.
That first year, we started off with a few potluck dinners and then moved outdoors to picnics and a lovely BBQ in Catherine Gillbert ‘s backyard, the first of many. Residents’ birthdays became a thing, and a Thanksgiving turkey dinner and Christmas party with everyone also happened that first year. By New Year’s, we were up to six residents, working towards serving nine in three apartments.
After four years, a second staff member was hired, and our little team added more services and activities. We took the residents for a two-day overnight trip to Quebec City and offered painting classes courtesy of a post office grant.
We organized big weekly “lunch and learn” sessions with the residents. “Wellness” and what it means to each was discussed. Participation was high, especially since the pizza smelt good!!! Latin dancing was another fun activity, thanks to Hector Cantor and his friend.
As Our Harbour grew, we added movies, bowling, cooking classes and outdoor activities. In my last year, we had just opened apartment six, helping 24 people. Now there are 10 apartments with 30 people being supported. Wow! Way to go, Our Harbour.”
– Perveen Khokar, Former Coordinator.
After 20 years of providing a home for people with mental health challenges, Our Harbour has reached cruising speed. Guided by our diverse, experienced Board, our very competent staff work tirelessly to manage resident care and fundraising. Their efforts are ably bolstered by a cadre of dedicated volunteers who work closely with the 30 residents in our 10 apartments.
Over these 20 years, the true stars of Our Harbour have been our residents. They are on a journey towards greater independence, better lives and increased well-being. They back each other, creating a cohesive community surrounded by staff and volunteers who provide support, guidance and encouragement. Our Harbour is a safe haven where residents and volunteers all give and take to build a better world for all. As we begin our 20th year, we retain many people who have journeyed with us along the way.
We have much to be thankful for. Join us as we navigate the next 20 years together.
– Marie Muldowney, President.
Harry Potter fans will know that Divination was an elective course taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It taught methods of divining the future, or gathering insights into future events, through various rituals and tools. The magic taught in this class, as well as the ability to say prophetic things, was a branch of magic referred to as “Divination”. However, without the benefit of Professor Sybill Trelawney’s class, or even a crystal ball, I can predict that Our Harbour’s future and good fortunes will be linked always with the very special people who are our volunteers.
From governance to feet on the ground, helping hands and welcoming arms, Our Harbour’s volunteers are without exception; kind, nonjudgmental, compassionate people who give unselfishly of their time, skills and care – no magic required.
These pages tell just a few of the stories of who our volunteers are, what they do, and how they help to make our residents’ lives less difficult, more hopeful, and richer.
Are you kind? Caring? Does helping others bring you joy? Do you want to make a difference? Perhaps you too have a future as an Our Harbour volunteer!
– Dolly Shinhat, Director General.