For Ryan
This page highlights the work I do in memory and honour of my son Ryan
Ryan lived with bipolar disorder and self medicated with street drugs as the pharmaceutical medications did not work for him. For eight years we fought hard alongside Ryan to get him the supports he needed and deserved. Sadly in 2020 Ryan lost his battle and succumbed to a toxic drug poisoning. My husband and I founded Ryan's Hope to support people living with similar issues to Ryan, it was our legacy to him, to honour who he was as a person. Our mission is to advocate and support people living with mental illness, substance use issues and experiencing homelessness. Our work consists of two parts, advocating for change to laws and policies which cause harm and prevent people from getting the help they need, and providing direct support to those living with in survival mode. It was through this work that I felt the call to become ordained. There were so many people coming to me for pastoral care and spiritual guidance that I realized that members of our community were in need of their very own minister, one who understood the issues they were facing and who would minister to them without expectations or judgement. Thus through the inexpressible anguish of child loss I found myself turning my pain into purpose and opening a new chapter in my spiritual journey
Vigils and Memorials
As part of my ministry I provide grief support to communities in mourning. Through vigils and memorials family members, friends, and front line workers are able to come together to grieve and acknowledge our collective losses. I have organized vigils and ceremonies of remembrance for Black Balloon Day, International Overdose Awareness Day, Bereaved Mothers Day, World Mental Health Day and Homeless Persons Memorial Day.
Advocacy and Awareness
I am a vocal advocate using the voice of my family's lived experience to educate and advocate, calling on all levels of government for changes to unjust laws and policies. I also use my platform to amplify and empower the voices of lived and living experience which would otherwise go unheard in order to change policy, end stigma and save lives! I also speak to community groups and provide educational workshops.
Celebrations of Life and Grief Support
We honour the lives of those in the unhoused community by providing free celebrations of life as needed. We believe every individual deserves to be acknowledged and celebrated, regardless of their circumstances. In addition, we offer compassionate grief support for those who have lost loved ones to drug-related harms and homelessness. Together, we create a space of remembrance, healing, and community.