On March 8, 2018, all levels of government, community, and business leaders gathered to celebrate the 2018 Recognizing Outstanding Organizations and People in Housing (ROOPH) Awards.
“I am so proud of our community’s accomplishments since these awards were created 13 years ago,” says Susan McGee, CEO of Homeward Trust. “The ROOPH Awards are an important opportunity to recognize our sector’s achievements and milestones. This year’s recipients are a testament to the work being done in and around Edmonton in affordable housing and homelessness initiatives.”
Larry Shaben Award for Outstanding Leadership in the Housing Sector:
Larry Shaben was a respected Alberta cabinet minister who provided critical leadership in addressing housing issues across the province. One of Mr. Shaben’s most outstanding contributions was in the area of safe, secure, and affordable housing. As a trustee of The Edmonton Housing Trust Fund, he was instrumental in initiating the ROOPH Awards. This award is named in Mr. Shaben’s memory to recognize the highly committed and passionate individuals working in the housing sector in our city.
2018 Larry Shaben Award Recipient:
Marggo Pariseau, Community Coordinator, Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women
Marggo currently serves as the Community Coordinator and Vice President at IAAW, where she has continually demonstrated leadership and service to her community. She has been instrumental in ensuring the needs and priorities of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit women and their families are represented by IAAW’s vision. For 20 years, Marggo managed WEAC, the Women’s Emergency Accommodation Centre, providing short- and long-term housing for needy women. Marggo is known for advocating for enhanced services for women, participating in both community and national conversations on homelessness, violence against women, and the specific needs of Indigenous women. Marggo is also a co-founder of the annual Esquao Awards. Founded in 1996, the Esquao Awards has become the largest recognition event in Canada of Indigenous women in categories that include Arts (Performing or Literature), Business, Children’s Future, Community Involvement, Culture, Education, Environment, Health and Medicine, International Influence, Justice, Political Involvement, and Lifetime Achievement.
Watch the video to find our more about Marggo:
2018 ROOPH Awards Recipients:
Alberta Rural Development Network
Alberta Rural Development Network (ARDN) developed the Sustainable Housing Initiative (SHI) in 2015 to address the specific needs rural communities face regarding affordable housing. They work directly with community groups as a facilitator to help simplify the development process. In addition, ARDN’s development of the Rural Homelessness Estimation Guide incorporates cost-conscious, cost-efficient, and reliable practices in accurately estimating the number of people experiencing homelessness in a rural community.
Hope Terrace (Bissell Centre)
Hope Terrace is a permanent supportive housing project operated by Bissell Centre that focuses specifically on individuals that have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Hope Terrace opened in the fall of 2016 and currently supports about 20 individuals. It is the first facility in Canada that provides 24-hour care for formerly homeless individuals diagnosed with FASD. Utilizing a Harm Reduction approach, staff provide support and onsite programming to residents, and are specifically trained to assist people with FASD.
Carter Work Project (Habitat for Humanity)
As part of the Canada 150 Celebration, former U.S. president Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn joined thousands of volunteers in Edmonton last July to kick off the largest building project ever for Habitat for Humanity. A total of 75 Habitat homes are being built in both Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan, highlighting the need for affordable housing throughout our community. The Province of Alberta provided over $4 million in funding and the City of Edmonton donated land for 58 of the houses.
Renay Ristoff
Since October 2016, Renee Ristoff has been the Housing Advocate for the City of Leduc, working through the Family and Community Support Services office. Over the course of 2017, she helped 181 individuals find housing. In 2013, she began as a Housing Outreach Worker at the Bissell Centre, where she helped house 12 individuals within one month during her first year. Renee is also involved with the Alberta Rural Coalition for Ending Homelessness, and is one of the founding board members of Homeless Link Alberta.
