ROOPH AWARDS

2020 ROOPH Awards: Recognizing Outstanding Organizations and People in Housing

Edmonton’s annual ROOPH Awards recognize outstanding individuals, organizations and businesses making an impact and working to address affordable housing and homelessness initiatives in Edmonton.

Each year, Homeward Trust collects nominations from the community for the ROOPH Awards, ensuring that those whose efforts have had a significant impact on the community are recognized by their peers.

A maximum of five (5) awards in the general category will be presented, as well as one Larry Shaben Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Housing Sector. This award is named in memory of Larry Shaben, a former Alberta Cabinet Minister, a long-time affordable housing advocate and a leader in addressing housing issues across the Province. Larry Shaben was instrumental in initiating the ROOPH Awards. He passed away in 2008.

Here are the 2020 ROOPH Award winners!

Jill Kelland, Alberta Health Services – Winner 2020 Larry Shaben Award

Jill Kelland is an accomplished leader, change agent and community builder who has worked with Alberta Health Services for over 34 years. Jill is known for her advocacy of system transformation and has worked tirelessly to create a spectrum of housing options and supports for people struggling with homelessness, addictions, mental health challenges and complex medical issues. Over the past 10 years, Jill has focused on creating a low-barrier spectrum of culturally sensitive, permanent and transitional housing options for individuals facing homelessness, experiencing homelessness or living in substandard accommodations. Throughout her career, Jill has demonstrated the ability to work in multi-partnered, complex environments and envision new ways of providing better housing options or options where none existed previously.

Michael Phair, Co-Chair End Poverty Edmonton – Winner 2020 Award for Advocacy

Michael Phair is a former member of the Edmonton City Council and is known for bringing his skills and passion for advocacy to a range of social justice issues, including supporting collaborative initiatives for affordable housing and ending homelessness. Michael served as City Councilor through five terms, representing central Edmonton neighbourhoods until 2007. Michael chaired a council-led initiative for housing low-income Edmontonians, which became the Cornerstones Program. With the Edmonton Pride Seniors Group, he advocates for the critical need for safe and inclusive housing services for LGBTQ seniors. Currently, Michael is co-chair of EndPovertyEdmonton, which works with 40 active community partners to mobilize Edmontonians to work together to advance social justice and shift attitudes and systems to benefit us all.

Academy Dental Team & Homeless Connect Dental Area – Winner 2020 ROOPH Award

Dr. Ben Eastwood and his team at Academy Dental are committed to improving the dental health of people experiencing homelessness and recently housed. For the past 11 years, Academy Dental—a team made up of 10 dentists and 12 hygienists—has been an integral part of the dental area at the Homeless Connect events. Serving approximately 250 clients at each event, their free services include x-rays, cleanings, fillings and extractions.

Dr. Cara Bablitz, Indigenous Wellness Clinic, Royal Alexandra Hospital – Winner 2020 ROOPH Award

Dr. Bablitz works on the Palliative Care Outreach and Advocacy Team (PCOAT) at the Indigenous Wellness Clinic in the Royal Alexandrea Hospital. There she provides palliative interventions and medical consultations to patients who may not be able to access in-hospital services. Her work includes identifying patients without stable housing and connecting them with live-in facilities, advocating for them both during the intake process and after they’ve been housed.

Marlene Orr, Native Counselling Association Stan Daniels Healing Centre- Winner 2020 ROOPH Award

Marlene Orr is the Director of Stan Daniels Healing Centre at Native Counselling Services of Alberta (NCSA) and Co-Chairs the Trauma Informed Edmonton Committee (TIE). Her leadership has resulted in the continuous engagement, commitment and resource sharing of TIE member organizations. She has improved the lives of Indigenous people experiencing homelessness by incorporating Reconciliation as the foundation of designing experiential trauma-informed training.

Corey Wyness, C.H.E.W Project YEG – Winner 2020 ROOPH Award

Corey Wyness has dedicated his life to the betterment of LGBTQ2S+ youth experiencing homelessness through his work with the Community Health Empowerment and Wellness Project (C.H.E.W). As a project coordinator and community mental health worker, Corey has built meaningful connections with various organizations to advocate for the rights of the LGBTQ2S+ communities he serves. Corey strives to ensure not only survival for LGBTQ2S+ youth but an opportunity for these youth to thrive and find joy.

Award Criteria – Larry Shaben Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Housing Sector:

• Exemplifies leadership that affects change at a community and systemic level
• Has had a long-term impact on affordable housing or homelessness in the Edmonton region
• Demonstrates collaboration in working with other organizations and sectors
• Reputation for making a genuine difference in housing and enhancing lives

Award Criteria – General Category:

Nominees who demonstrate excellence in one or more of the following areas will be considered for a ROOPH Award:

• Relentless efforts to improve the lives of people experiencing homelessness or in need of affordable housing
• Going the extra mile to help people in need
• Engaging creative approaches to collaboration to make a difference
• Applying building designs that enhance a neighbourhood while still respecting a community’s character
• Delivering impactful and culturally appropriate services for newcomers and/or Indigenous peoples
• Doing impactful work and demonstrating leadership that inspires others to do the same
• Being a trail blazer or early adopter in establishing a new program or practice that will transform housing and services