Spring 2026 Newsletter

April 2026 Newsletter

President's Message:

Reflections on Our Community

I was rereading last year’s newsletters (just to be sure I don’t repeat myself too much) and was struck by something a resident, Mike Basil, wrote in his column about how he has great respect for his fellow residents “who are strong enough to watch the mainstream media.” His observation made me think of the tumult of the times we are living in and how I have cut back recently on the number of news feeds I browse through and the hours I spend reading about world events—in the interests of my own mental health.

From there my thoughts went to the courage and insight it takes to live with mental illness and manage those day-to-day experiences we often perceive as commonplace—like watching the 6 o’clock news—and the challenge of protecting yourself from things that can unleash negative thoughts, depression, anxiety or suspicion.

In my rereading of the 2025 newsletters, I also registered on Mike’s simple eloquence as he recounted the help he received from his housemates, not only in setting up his new laptop but in gaining confidence. And how his mother felt reassured that he would be OK into the future when she was no longer there for him, thanks to his place at Ancoura. And how he shares mealtimes and activities with his Ancoura family.

Each household in Ancoura could recount its own stories. In the houses with new residents, watching the tentative connections sprout and take hold is like watching the plant cuttings on my window ledge grow threads of roots (that thrive when I finally plant them in some nourishing soil). The friendships, the confidence, the caring, the peace of mind, and the giving back…all of these flourish as relationships are cultivated. In the houses shared by the same residents for years, the relationships have deepened and the individuals have formed lasting friendships as close as any family’s; in other houses, residents flourish individually in an environment that is stable and secure with people who care and watch out for them.

Over this long and snowy winter, the Ancoura team of staff and volunteers continued to grow and strengthen steadily. The staff now includes a new Resident Support Worker, Shahd Abd Elgany, to whom we extend our warmest welcome as she plunges into house visits, one-on-one visits and the many related activities that provide much-needed support to residents and to Virginia, our Manager.

The number of volunteers continues to increase with the return of Cleo Edgington and the addition of three new volunteers: Rebecca Oreto and Victoria Di Guiseppe, visiting volunteers and Julia Lehmann, an activity volunteer. Virginia has reinstated monthly meetings for volunteers to share experiences and hash out challenges, providing opportunities for longer-term volunteers to provide support and encouragement to the new ones. Games nights, movie nights, birthday celebrations and a variety of outings are among the activities enjoyed in recent months. And plans are underway to hold our third formal training program in June, to which all volunteers—new and not so new —will be invited.

So, as the days lengthen and the sun grows stronger, we struggle to convince ourselves that spring is really coming. We know though that renewal and growth are in the air and burbling beneath the snow and ice. So too, Ancoura continues its journey filled with the promise of regeneration and growth.

Ann Carmichael

Welcome Shahd Abd Elghany

Shahd is the newest member of Ancoura’s team, joining as a part-time resident support worker. Shahd has lived in Ottawa for the majority of her years and has recently graduated from Carleton University, where she learned some valuable and vital insights about the social determinants of health. Shahd also completed her field placement with a community health centre, where she became drawn to the idea of helping others, and this is what ultimately attracted her to Ancoura.

She “looks forward to contributing to this organization’s wonderful support network and nurturing environment, and to becoming a part of its amazing community” and is excited to join the team and meet Ancoura’s wonderful residents and volunteers.

A little bit more about Shahd: She states that fall is her favourite season, “there is just something about a cozy sweater, sipping a warm tea, and reading a good book while listening to the rain outside that brings me so much happiness.” Shahd likes to puzzle, build miniatures, and is currently dabbling in pottery, though she states, “the last one is definitely a work in progress.” Shahd also loves to wander around grocery stores. “Looking at all the items, picking out new snacks and trying foods from different cultures is a sure way to bring me joy.”

Resident Profile

Roops: A Journey with a Happy Ending

Roopesh (Roops), now 51 years old, was born in Luton England which is about a one hour drive from London. He lived there until he was three years old and then moved to Montreal where his sister was born.

Despite a diagnosis of schizophrenia at the age of nineteen, Roops had a typical life, and took fairly low doses of medication. He studied commerce in college, followed by auto mechanics and then network administration. In 1998, he landed a job at Canada Post where he worked for 23 years. His last job, which he did for about seven years, was with the Canada Post ombudsman. This job, combined with his other responsibilities, left him juggling too much and he got sick. His responsibilities included his role as a single parent with three children, who spent the majority of their time with him.

During this period, Roops spent time in all of the local hospitals, and he lost his home. Before coming to Ancoura, he spent three years living in a group home. He didn’t like living there and he was overjoyed when the opportunity to live in an Ancoura home presented itself. Roops became aware of Ancoura through the person who supervises his volunteer work at the Royal Ottawa and he has been in his Ancoura home for about a year. His parents, who still live in Montreal, are very happy that he has found a home with Ancoura, and they come to visit him once a month.

He greatly appreciates his two housemates and says that “they are like brothers.” For Roops, his home has been a place to relax and heal; a peaceful place where he can maintain and even improve his mental health.

He has enjoyed participating in games nights, hiking, playing pool, bowling and going to movies with his housemates and also with visiting volunteers. The visiting volunteers for his home look for things to do in Ottawa and come up with great suggestions. His own volunteer work is at the Royal on Mondays and Fridays, where he serves as a “concierge”, helping to connect people with the resources they are seeking.

It is a pleasure having Roops as part of the Ancoura community.

2024-25: A Banner Year

At any given moment these days it may not be “business as usual” at Ancoura, because “usual” has been undergoing some re-definition – in a positive way. There is always business to be done, and it is all the more rewarding when that business strikes an upbeat note. The Annual General Meeting is the once-a-year opportunity to share the news of the past year and make a formal report on the happenings at Ancoura.

On November 20, 2025, a record number of residents and supporters of Ancoura gathered for the AGM at St Basil’s Church to discuss the most recent fiscal year, September 1, 2024 to August 31, 2025. President Ann echoed Treasurer Gary in referring to that period as a good year, as she reminded us that Virginia had returned to Ancoura full-time, five new residents were welcomed, and the Ottawa Community Foundation provided seed funding to allow Ancoura to begin a new program devoted to aging in place.

And of course, like any AGM, this one had to deal with the finances, which Gary addressed in his detailed report. He provided the figures to support the declaration that it was a good year. With a now-healthy bank account, Ancoura is looking to a brighter future. Donors, both known and anonymous, were generous, providing the means to extend our horizons beyond immediate and short-term needs, with some assurance of continuity.

Virginia addressed the ongoing activities such as cooking classes (which resulted in an attractive cookbook designed and prepared by Jayne). She also pointed toward other activities that promote the emotional, social and physical wellbeing of residents, such as game nights and walking groups. She noted that, given the shortage of visiting volunteers, houses were collaborating as never before on a variety of activities – Ancoura’s family in action!

Like so many events at Ancoura, it was not all work for the attendees. As a prelude to the business of the evening, we had an opportunity to socialize and swap stories over a delicious dinner organized by Jayne (who also prepared the succulent chicken dish at the heart of the main course). It was a cheerful group that was there to greet the good news, and a warm and friendly evening overall.

An Ancoura Noël

Many of Ancoura’s social occasions involve food – preparing, serving and sharing. That makes good sense, as dining together is one of the fundamental manifestations of friendship and community.

One such event was the annual Ancoura Christmas party, held at Julian of Norwich Church on December 16, 2025. It was very well-attended, as about 45 residents and friends of Ancoura gathered to enjoy another turkey dinner catered by Chef Ric’s kitchen, the social enterprise of the Ottawa Mission. On the menu were turkey, mashed potatoes and lots of rolls (someone forgot the salad) – all essentials for Christmas feasting!

While Jayne worked the kitchen behind the scenes, Board members Tamer and John cheerfully washed and dried dishes … and washed and dried more dishes.

Then it was game time. Virginia led us through a trivia challenge on Christmas movies. Some clues seemed obscure to everyone, but there were several scrambles for the right answer to many of the choices. Who knew how competitive residents and volunteers could be?

To cap off the evening, someone discovered that we couldn’t go home because the main door was jammed. But a search for other exits led to a back door that opened into the bracing, chilly air – on the other side of the building, of course, resulting in a trudge through fresh snow to the parking lot. That was accomplished in high spirits, and everyone went home filled with good cheer and, in many instances, carrying delicious leftovers.

One final note from this writer: No, Virginia, “Die Hard” is NOT a Christmas movie!

A Message from Mike Basil: Ancoura Resident

Hello to everyone in the Ancoura community. I hope the New Year has treated you all very well. Mine has been pretty good so far. I bought several movies on Apple TV with the Christmas and birthday money from my family including classics like Raiders of the Lost Ark, To Kill A Mockingbird, The French Connection, The Shawshank Redemption and Titanic.

My video editing hobby has been going well and especially the final cut for one video that I’m especially proud of. I still visit my mother on most weekends and help with household chores.

Ancoura activities such as the cooking classes and movie outings continue to be very enjoyable. A recent cooking class included playing Bingo, and I won two games in a row.

In other news I have recently started a new medication which seems to be working very well. I can still have my share of anxiety triggers but otherwise I’m feeling somewhat more positive. I have an uncle, who is in his 80s, and has a very delicate heart condition so my whole family is keeping him in our thoughts and prayers.

I want to give a very special thanks to everyone who is part of Ancoura, including the staff and the volunteers, who are always giving their best to help me and all the other residents navigate our way through all of the issues that we face. I wish you all the best for 2026.

Mike Basil

How to Help Ancoura

It costs Ancoura approximately $175 each week to support one resident. As we do not receive ongoing government funding, we rely on your donations to carry out our vital service of providing long-term supportive housing to residents with serious and persistent mental illness. Here are some of the ways you can help…

Volunteer

Volunteers get to spend time with our residents at their homes or in the community, to provide social activities for residents and other volunteers on a regular basis, or to share their management, governance and organizational skills as board and committee members. We offer basic training in mental health, ongoing coaching, and continuing education to all volunteers so they can better understand their role in relation to residents’ needs. For more information on how you can become a volunteer, contact Jayne at 613-233-8130 or admin@ancoura.ca.

Donate Cash

1. Fill in the Canada Helps donation form online at ancoura.ca/donate or at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/ancoura/. Consider giving monthly! It really helps. Receipts are issued immediately.
2. New! For donations over $1,000 send an
– E-transfer using the email address donation@ancoura.ca or
– Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): Bank: 001, Transit: 24556 Account 8091171
3. Send a cheque payable to “Ancoura,” to the address below. Receipts are issued at the end of the year. N.B. Postal disruption? Call the office to discuss alternatives.
4. Designate your United Way campaign contribution. Include our name and charitable registration number 804860955RR0001. Receipts are issued by the United Way of Eastern Ontario.

Donate Securities

Did you know that if you donate shares that have appreciated in value directly from your investment portfolio, 1) you will not have to pay tax on the capital gain, and 2) you will receive a donation receipt for the fair market value of the shares donated. A
$10,000 donation could reduce your personal tax by $4,400. Contact our Office Administrator, Jayne Rooney, at 613-233-8130 for help.

Estate Planning/Bequests

Providing stable housing and support for people living with mental illness is an ongoing need. Do you have loved one with mental illness? Does a family member reside in one of Ancoura’s homes? You may wish to safeguard their future and consider leaving a gift to Ancoura when planning your estate or long-term giving. For details on this option, call the office. Or go to ancoura.ca/donate and scroll down to bequests.

We are very grateful to the amazing foundations and organizations that have supported us recently, including the following:

Ottawa Community Foundation is a public, charitable organization created by and for the people of Ottawa. The Foundation works with donors and the community at large as a trusted partner to fulfill impact philanthropy and bring about positive, systemic, and sustainable change.

Source: 2025 Community Initiative Grants, the Ottawa Community Foundation: Challenges of Aging with Mental Illness: Empowerment through Volunteers.