by Guest Blogger Sheldon LeongOn a crisp sunny morning in early October, a small group of friends gathered at The Haven, to look at some bird houses? What’s so special about these bird houses? It turns out these colourful bird houses were built by Bruce Marshall, a dear friend of MHI who passed away three years ago. For those who didn’t know Bruce, he was a loving husband and father, a veteran, an engineer and a medical doctor, among many other roles he played in the community. Bruce volunteered at MHI when our organization was growing rapidly and provided invaluable support to then Executive Director, Suzanne Le, especially during the construction of The Haven and Veterans’ House: the Andy Carswell Building. During his 10-year tenure, Bruce served as a board member and a member of the Development Committee, and helped guide MHI as we responded to the city’s homelessness crisis. His care for the people we serve extended to how our buildings and communities were designed to bring comfort to those who have struggled greatly. At Veterans’ House, each veteran tenant of the 40-unit community has the ability to control the temperature in their own room, unlike many apartment buildings that have a central control. Knowing that some veterans will be on medication to help deal with their PTSD, Bruce knew that temperature can be a trigger and advocated for an HVAC system that will allow each tenant to establish their own comfort level. As much as MHI and our tenants had gained from Bruce’s involvement, Mary Frances, Bruce’s wife, shares that he received much more than he gave to MHI. She adds that, “After his retirement, MHI provided a meaningful outlet for him to put into practice his engineering and medical knowledge while contributing to a cause he deeply believed in. Bruce liked doing things and getting things done. MHI filled that desire in spades. The success of Veterans’ House and The Haven gave him a huge sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.” So, if you are ever at The Haven or Veterans’ House and are greeted by these cheerful and vibrant bird houses, remember our friend, Bruce Marshall. MHI is grateful to Allen Box, Bruce’s friend who helped paint the bird houses that Bruce built and also built another set that have been installed at Veteran’s House. At Multifaith Housing Initiative, our slogan is “Communities Building Communities”. Recently that slogan was put into action. Just hours after giving birth, a woman on the Special Provincial Priority (SPP) list reached out, hoping to move into her new MHI unit earlier than scheduled. The Special Priority Program helps individuals and families fleeing domestic violence, abuse, or human trafficking find safe housing more quickly. She was facing the prospect of couch surfing with her newborn to stay safe until her official move-in date of November 1st. MHI staff didn’t hesitate. The Maintenance Department rushed to prepare the unit. Community Development staff sprang into action, gathering essential household items and hygiene products. They made it to Matthew House just before closing, where staff kindly stayed open late so they could secure furniture donations to help her settle in comfortably. Within a matter of hours, the lease was signed, and the keys were handed over. Thank you to Matthew House, and everyone who played a role in making this happen. Together, we provided a home and hope to a family in need.
Friday, September 26th was another inspiring evening at Barrhaven United Church, where Indigenous and non-Indigenous musicians and an appreciative audience came together in support of MHI’s Odenak Capital Campaign, raising both funds and awareness for this transformative affordable housing and reconciliation project. Concert guests were encouraged to wear orange in honour of residential school survivors, their families, and communities, in advance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It was a night of reflection and new beginnings, as MHI’s brand new Executive Director, Ala’a Shadid, was warmly welcomed to his first Odenak benefit concert. Rev. Dianne Cardin, the evening’s host and a member of the Musicians for Odenak Planning Group, extended heartfelt thanks to the event’s generous sponsors. Their support ensures that 100% of attendee donations can go directly to the Odenak Capital Campaign:
MHI is proud to collaborate with a team of experts dedicated to bringing the Odenak community to life. Odenak development partner, Dream, assembled a world-class design team led by Perkins & Will and KPMB Architects, supported by Two Row Architect. Dan McTavish, a Design Principal from the Toronto studio of Perkins & Will was on hand at the September 26th concert to provide insight on the vision behind Odenak’s architecture. Dan spoke about how this project blends the area’s industrial heritage with Algonquin and pan-Indigenous values, focusing on elements and concepts such as:
Following Dan’s speech, the floor was open to a diverse and powerful lineup of musicians. Act one:
A lively intermission featured good conversations and Bannock served in a variety of delicious ways. Act 2:
Dedicated volunteers remained in the concert hall until the very end of the evening, resetting the space and counting all the generous donations that had been received. Huge thank you to all members of the Musicians for Odenak Panning Group, you are setting the standard for fun and meaningful event planning. Thanks to everyone’s thoughtful work, it was another great concert and an excellent evening. The Musicians for Odenak concert series are a part of fundraising efforts for the EOORC’s United We Dream Campaign. To-date, a remarkable $99,082 has been raised for Odenak through congregational giving. EOORC has until June 2026 to reach their $150,000 goal. Save the Dates – More Concerts Coming to Barrhaven United: Friday, November 14, 2025 Featuring the Nepean Choir & a special appearance by the Manotick Brass Ensemble. This concert’s title is “Peace in our Galaxy” Friday, December 12, 2025 An evening of seasonal music with several church choirs, carol singing, and a moving Christmas fable. Bring your phone to help light up the night during "Peace, Peace, Peace."  Dan McTavish, a Design Principal from the Toronto studio of Perkins & Will, speaking to the audience.
BY Sahada Alolo Islamic History Month was officially recognized by the Canadian government back in 2007, thanks to the late MP for Ottawa Vanier, Mauril Bélanger. It happened because community leaders and organizations across the country pushed for a national platform to celebrate Muslim heritage, and they made it happen. Since then, every October has been filled with events that bring people together through lectures, cultural showcases, art, and interfaith dialogue.
Here in Ottawa, folks like Imam Dr. Zijad Delić and groups like the Ottawa Muslim Women Organization (OMWO) have played a big role in keeping the spirit of this month alive. Through talks, workshops, and community gatherings, we’ve worked hard to make sure Islamic History Month isn’t just a celebration for Muslims, it’s a chance for everyone to connect, learn, and share in the richness of our culture. As president of OMWO, this month means a lot to me personally. It’s a time to reflect on our journey, honour the contributions of Muslim Canadians, and open doors for meaningful conversations. It’s also a reminder of how far we’ve come in reclaiming our Muslim narratives to combat hate and islamophobia and how much more we can do when we come together to share and learn. |
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October 2025
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