Homes for Heroes Foundation president David Howard is seen at a construction site where their first project is underway in Calgary’s southeast.David Howard’s lasting memory of his late grandfather is a broken man sitting in his underwear holding a bottle of Scotch.
This is the Homes for Heroes Foundation’s first project, and Mr. Howard, a concert promoter, is one of its early and determined supporters. It is designed to help struggling veterans, police officers and first responders transition from living rough to living on their own. Organizers believe it is the first project in Canada to combine transitional housing with built-in social support. Homes for Heroes has secured land in Edmonton for its next project and expects Ontario to select three cities to follow suit. The group is in talks with Winnipeg and Halifax, too.The villages will pay tribute to the Canadian Forces’ history by naming each home after someone who has served. Each will come with a plaque detailing that solider’s story.
In Calgary, Homes For Heroes teamed up with the Mustard Seed, an organization that works to reduce poverty and homelessness through shelters and services. The Mustard Seed is reviewing prospective tenants for the homes, which ATCO, one of the foundation’s corporate supporters, is building.
A worthy cause and practical. I hope it succeeds. God bless.