Building Good Shepherd Square

Good Shepherd has been serving the people in the Greater Hamilton area since 1961, when they were founded by the Little Brothers of the Good Shepherd. This year, celebrating 50 years of service to the most vulnerable in our community, Good Shepherd has launched the largest, and just second, capital campaign in its history.

This $55 Million project is to build Good Shepherd Square, which has been steadily rising from ground level on King Street West between Ray and Pearl Streets over the past few months. The project reflects a health and wellness model that employs preventative measures to help people avoid the debilitating impact of poverty and assist them in establishing and maintaining independent, productive lives.

The first phase of Good Shepherd Square which is home to Mary’s Place, a safe shelter for homeless women, and Martha House, which serves women and children fleeing violence, is now completed. The second phase is currently under construction and will see the construction of two new buildings.

The first building will contain 84 units of affordable rental housing for singles and small families, a social service resource centre, community meeting rooms open for public use, and administrative space for the Good Shepherd offices.

The final building will provide a Seniors’ Wellness Centre with programming, including a health facility, medical clinic and a senior’s drop-in centre, in addition to 72 affordable rental housing units.

The three levels of government have committed $45 Million to build Good Shepherd Square which leaves $10 Million to be raised by Good Shepherd and the Hamilton community.

ArcelorMittal Dofasco was the first lead sponsor to this important project with a commitment of $750,000 to Good Shepherd Square over 5 years. Operating on the philosophy that a healthy, prosperous business depends on a healthy, prosperous community, ArcelorMittal Dofasco continues to conduct business in a way that seeks to sustain the health of both the company and the community.

To date, Good Shepherd has raised more than half of its capital campaign goal, having reached $5.5 million in gifts. Good Shepherd Square incorporates the latest research and best practices in human service delivery models and considers the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of each unique individual as the priority. People can access the tools they need to meet their individual goals, break the cycle of poverty and enjoy healthier lives as contributing members of our community.

For more information on Good Shepherd Square or to make a donation, please visit www.goodshepherdcentres.ca.