- 注册
- 2002-10-07
- 消息
- 402,290
- 荣誉分数
- 76
- 声望点数
- 0
“I’d vote for her,” an audience member uttered aloud after listening to Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau deliver a heart-warming keynote address about strong communities during a special event held Wednesday to celebrate Debra Dynes Family House (DDFH) and the 20 years that it’s been improving the lives of low-income and multi-culturally diverse families, children and youth.
Grégoire-Trudeau, wife of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, arrived to Ottawa City Hall with her eldest son, eight-year-old Xavier. Having the PM’s wife attend the event created an exciting buzz in the air. What became clear from listening to her speak and watching her interact with the public is that Grégoire-Trudeau enjoys being around others. She loves people. And they love her.
“The differences that separate human beings are nothing compared to the similarities that bond us together,” she told her audience while speaking without notes. “When you live from that space, your interaction with other people completely changes.
Keynote speaker Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and her eldest son, Xavier, eight, were at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, for the 20th anniversary and fundraiser for Debra Dynes Family House, the multi-service community resource centre for low income and working poor families, children and youth.
“Because, you know that if you are fortunate, and my son, Xavier, ahem, are you listening?” said Grégoire-Trudeau as she good-humouredly made that throat-clearing sound that moms make to command attention from their kids. “We know that we’re fortunate. We have a wonderful life and it is an honour for us to be of service, and every single day dedicated to helping others and making this society and this country a better place for more people.
“There’s a saying that goes ‘I am because we are and, since we are, therefore I am’,” said Grégoire-Trudeau, quoting Kenyan-born Christian religious philosopher and writer John Mbiti. “The feeling of community … is really what gives a sense, a purpose to a society.”
That day’s messy spring snowstorm didn’t prevent a healthy turnout of supporters from making it to the fundraising benefit. The event celebrated some of the families who have taken advantage of DDFH’s community-driven services, activities and programs offered — from classes in English and computer skills to youth programs and on-site childcare — in order to achieve a post-secondary education, career and overall better life.
It’s easy to create a splashy headline when there’s a violent outbreak in a low-income neighbourhood like Debra Dynes, said long-time DDFH executive director Barbara Carroll. “When we do that, we do a disservice to the many people who live in those communities, who have enormous potential and successes in their lives, often against tremendous odds.”
From left, Rideau-Vanier Ward Coun. Mathieu Fleury with Barbara Carroll, executive director of Debra Dynes Family House, and Ottawa Community Housing CEO StÈphane GiguËre at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, for the 20th anniversary celebration and fundraiser for Debra Dynes, a multi-service community resource centre localed in a low-income social housing area.
Take, for example, Walid Kandar, now a proud constable with the OPP. The former Debra Dynes resident is the son of Lebanese immigrants, the youngest of four children and a graduate of the University of Ottawa. “What the Family House has done for us is unbelievable,” Kandar told Around Town.
From left, OPP Const. Walid Kandar with his wife, Dunia, and parents, Ahmad and Inaam, showed their support for Debra Dynes Family House by coming out to its 20th anniversary celebration and fundraiser held at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016.
The event drew a wide range of support, from its MC, Alex Munter, president and CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, to its charity auctioneer, philanthropist and restaurateur Dave Smith. Also present were Mayor Jim Watson, Ottawa Community Housing CEO Stéphane Giguère, the fabulous Morrison sisters, Grete Hale and Gay Cook, and celebrity gardener Ed Lawrence.
The celebration also showcased the talents of young musicians with OrKidstra, which is a free program dedicated to empowering children through music education and engagement.
Around Town: Debra Dynes Family House event
Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau delivered a heart-warming keynote address about strong communities during a special event held Wednesday to celebrate Debra Dynes Family House (DDFH) and the 20 years that it’s been improving the lives of low-income and multi-culturally diverse families, children and youth.
carolyn001@sympatico.ca
查看原文...
Grégoire-Trudeau, wife of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, arrived to Ottawa City Hall with her eldest son, eight-year-old Xavier. Having the PM’s wife attend the event created an exciting buzz in the air. What became clear from listening to her speak and watching her interact with the public is that Grégoire-Trudeau enjoys being around others. She loves people. And they love her.
“The differences that separate human beings are nothing compared to the similarities that bond us together,” she told her audience while speaking without notes. “When you live from that space, your interaction with other people completely changes.
Keynote speaker Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and her eldest son, Xavier, eight, were at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, for the 20th anniversary and fundraiser for Debra Dynes Family House, the multi-service community resource centre for low income and working poor families, children and youth.
“Because, you know that if you are fortunate, and my son, Xavier, ahem, are you listening?” said Grégoire-Trudeau as she good-humouredly made that throat-clearing sound that moms make to command attention from their kids. “We know that we’re fortunate. We have a wonderful life and it is an honour for us to be of service, and every single day dedicated to helping others and making this society and this country a better place for more people.
“There’s a saying that goes ‘I am because we are and, since we are, therefore I am’,” said Grégoire-Trudeau, quoting Kenyan-born Christian religious philosopher and writer John Mbiti. “The feeling of community … is really what gives a sense, a purpose to a society.”
That day’s messy spring snowstorm didn’t prevent a healthy turnout of supporters from making it to the fundraising benefit. The event celebrated some of the families who have taken advantage of DDFH’s community-driven services, activities and programs offered — from classes in English and computer skills to youth programs and on-site childcare — in order to achieve a post-secondary education, career and overall better life.
It’s easy to create a splashy headline when there’s a violent outbreak in a low-income neighbourhood like Debra Dynes, said long-time DDFH executive director Barbara Carroll. “When we do that, we do a disservice to the many people who live in those communities, who have enormous potential and successes in their lives, often against tremendous odds.”
From left, Rideau-Vanier Ward Coun. Mathieu Fleury with Barbara Carroll, executive director of Debra Dynes Family House, and Ottawa Community Housing CEO StÈphane GiguËre at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, for the 20th anniversary celebration and fundraiser for Debra Dynes, a multi-service community resource centre localed in a low-income social housing area.
Take, for example, Walid Kandar, now a proud constable with the OPP. The former Debra Dynes resident is the son of Lebanese immigrants, the youngest of four children and a graduate of the University of Ottawa. “What the Family House has done for us is unbelievable,” Kandar told Around Town.
From left, OPP Const. Walid Kandar with his wife, Dunia, and parents, Ahmad and Inaam, showed their support for Debra Dynes Family House by coming out to its 20th anniversary celebration and fundraiser held at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016.
The event drew a wide range of support, from its MC, Alex Munter, president and CEO of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario, to its charity auctioneer, philanthropist and restaurateur Dave Smith. Also present were Mayor Jim Watson, Ottawa Community Housing CEO Stéphane Giguère, the fabulous Morrison sisters, Grete Hale and Gay Cook, and celebrity gardener Ed Lawrence.
The celebration also showcased the talents of young musicians with OrKidstra, which is a free program dedicated to empowering children through music education and engagement.
Around Town: Debra Dynes Family House event
Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau delivered a heart-warming keynote address about strong communities during a special event held Wednesday to celebrate Debra Dynes Family House (DDFH) and the 20 years that it’s been improving the lives of low-income and multi-culturally diverse families, children and youth.
Youth from the free music program OrKidstra performed at the 20th anniversary celebration and fundraiser for the Debra Dynes Family House, held at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen
From left, Rideau-Vanier Ward Coun. Mathieu Fleury with Barbara Carroll, executive director of Debra Dynes Family House, and Ottawa Community Housing CEO StÈphane GiguËre at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, for the 20th anniversary celebration and fundraiser for Debra Dynes, a multi-service community resource centre localed in a low-income social housing area. Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen
From left, Grete Hale with retired physician Horace Alexis and his wife, Christiane Millet-Alexis, at the 20th anniversary celebration and fundraiser for Debra Dynes Family House, held at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen
From left, Carol Anne Meehan with Gay Cook and her daughter-in-law, Fiona Murray Cook, at the 20th anniversary celebration and fundraiser for Debra Dynes Family House, held at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen
Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau was the keynote speaker at the 20th anniverary celebration and fundraiser for Debra Dynes Family House, held at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen
Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and her eldest son, Xavier, eight, seen with members of free music program OrKidstra following the young musicians' performance at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, as part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the Debra Dynes Family House. Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen
From left, OPP Const. Walid Kandar with his wife, Dunia, and parents, Ahmad and Inaam, showed their support for Debra Dynes Family House by coming out to its 20th anniversary celebration and fundraiser held at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen
From left, philanthropist and restaurateur Dave Smith and Russ Mills, chair of the National Capital Commission, were out to support the 20th anniversary celebration and fundraiser for Debra Dynes Family House, held at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen
Alex Munter, president and CEO of the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, seen with Kanata North Councillor Marianne Wilkinson, served as MC for the 20th anniversary celebration and fundraiser for the Debra Dynes Family House, held at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen
Keynote speaker Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau, seen being introduced to Yolaine Munter by her son, Alex Munter, stuck around to mix and mingle during the 20th anniverary celebration and fundraiser for Debra Dynes Family House, held at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016 Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen
Peter Tilley, executive director of The Ottawa Mission (and former ED of the Ottawa Food Bank) and Carson Grove Elementary School principal Irene Cameron were out to support the 20th anniversary celebration and fundraiser for Debra Dynes Family House, held at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen
Keynote speaker Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and her son Xavier pose with Judy Mills at the 20th anniverary celebration and fundraiser for Debra Dynes Family House, held at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen
Keynote speaker Sophie Grégoire-Trudeau and her eldest son, Xavier, eight, were at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016, for the 20th anniversary and fundraiser for Debra Dynes Family House, the multi-service community resource centre for low income and working poor families, children and youth. Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen
From left, River Ward Councillor Riley Brockington with Barbara Carroll, executive director of Debra Dynes Family House, Sophie GrÈgoire- Trudeau and her eight-year-old son, Xavier, and Mayor Jim Watson at the 20th anniversary and fundraiser for Debra Dynes, a multi-service community resource centre for low income and working poor families, children and youth. Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen
CBC's Ontario Today gardening expert Ed Lawrence and local news blogger Carol Anne Meehan were out to support the 20th anniversary celebration and fundraiser for Debra Dynes Family House, held at Ottawa City Hall on Wednesday, April 6, 2016. Caroline Phillips / Ottawa Citizen
carolyn001@sympatico.ca
查看原文...
