David and Sharon Johnston named Honorary Patrons of the Homes For Heroes Foundation

Ms. Sharon Johnston CC

Honorary Patron of the Homes For Heroes Foundation

Mr. David Johnston CC

Honorary Patron of the Homes For Heroes Foundation

CALGARY, Alberta, Oct. 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – The Homes For Heroes Foundation (H4HF) is extremely pleased to announce that Mr. David Johnston CC and Ms. Sharon Johnston CC have become the first honorary patrons of the charity of charity. For many years, the former Vice-Regal couple have been closely associated with members and veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces. Mrs Johnston has been appointed Honorary Captain (Navy) for Military Personnel Command in 2016 and Mr. David Johnston recently completed his service as Colonel-of-the-Regiment for the Royal Canadian Regiment. Joining the Homes For Heroes Foundation as a Patron continues Johnson’s legacy of support in Canada.

As a national charity, The Homes For Heroes Foundation provides a comprehensive and caring solution to homelessness among Canada’s Veterans. It does this by building unique and affordable urban villages to house veterans as they return to civilian life; provide comprehensive and comprehensive programs that provide the resources, training and guidance necessary to ensure their success on this journey; allow tenants to achieve the objective of living independently over the long term.

Mr. Johnston noted, “What caught our attention is the fact that the Homes For Heroes Foundation has developed such an innovative and successful approach to helping our veterans. It follows a carefully crafted program that takes them from a difficult life to successful reintegration as proud and productive citizens.

“Unfortunately, some of our veterans have been left behind and need our support. Despite their dire situation, they are often too proud to seek help from the public or even their close friends because of the embarrassment they feel about their situation. So they remain invisible to most of us, ”Ms. Sharon Johnson said.

“It is truly a great honor that David and Sharon Johnston agree to support our charity. Their patronage will help us achieve our goal of ending homelessness among our Veterans. The problem will not be solved by governments alone. It will require the support of individuals, private foundations and businesses, as well as the active support of exceptional leaders like the Johnston’s. Our veterans have remained on their toes for Canada and now it is our job to ensure they are taken care of when they need it, ”said David Howard, CEO of the Homes For Heroes Foundation.

The story continues

Homes For Heroes opened its first Veterans Village in Calgary on November 1, 2019, and fifteen Veterans were able to get off the streets, be warm and safe, take care of their personal needs, and have a safe place to keep their belongings. – to begin the journey back to traditional society. Since opening, eight of the first fifteen tenants have completed the program.

The organization began construction on its next village of twenty houses in Edmonton in early April. When completed in November, it will provide more than 7,000 room nights per year to veterans in need.

Homes For Heroes is now expanding its program nationwide, with Villages being prepared for Kingston, Ontario; Winnipeg, Manitoba; and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Their goal is to build one or more veterans villages in every major city in the country.

Mark Hutchings, President of the H4H Kingston Village Initiative, added: “We couldn’t have asked for better champions than Sharon and David. They have a deep understanding of this country and a lasting commitment to our military community. Their support is a huge encouragement to our entire team, and they will be a beacon for others to join us in this important task.

The Right Honorable David Johnston was the 28th Governor General of Canada. During his tenure, he created the Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF), a registered charity that supports and amplifies the Office of the Governor General in its work to connect, honor and inspire Canadians. Today, he is actively involved as chairman of the board of directors of RHF. In 2018, he was appointed Colonel of the Royal Canadian Regiment. Prior to his installation as Governor General, Mr. Johnston was a professor of law for 45 years and was President of the University of Waterloo for two terms, Director of McGill University for three terms. He was president of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada and of the Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities. He was the first non-U.S. Citizen to be elected chairman of the Board of Overseers at Harvard University, from which he graduated in 1963 with great distinction and was twice named All-American in hockey and was named in the Harvard Track and Field Hall of Fame. He holds degrees from Harvard, Cambridge and Queen’s and has received more than three dozen honorary degrees or scholarships. He is the author or co-author of over 30 books. He was named a Companion of the Order of Canada in 1997. He has chaired or served on numerous provincial and federal task forces and committees and has served on the boards of over a dozen public companies. He has been married for 57 years to Sharon and they have 5 daughters and 14 grandchildren.

Sharon Johnston graduated in physiotherapy and occupational therapy in 1966 from the University of Toronto and a few years later received her doctorate in rehabilitation science from McGill University.

Early in her career, Sharon worked as a psychiatric occupational therapist with children and young adults until the birth of her five daughters.

As the wife of the 28th Governor General, she has used her position to advocate for mental health awareness and the importance of anti-stigma programs. As an honorary witness for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, she stood up for our Indigenous Canadians. For twelve years, she ran a dressage training center near Waterloo, Ont., Before moving to Ottawa.

Sharon is writing a historical fiction trilogy. The first novel, Matron and Madams, published in 2015, a fictional account of life in southwestern Alberta during a colorful post-war period, based on the experiences of his grandmother. Patchwork Society was released in March 2020 and takes place in Sault Ste-Marie.

Media contacts

David Howard
CEO
Homes for Heroes Foundation
dave@h4hf.ca
(403) 620-4255

Kelly-Ann Benoit
Special Assistant to the Right Honorable David Johnston
(613) 818-3353

The photos accompanying this announcement are available on

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/393a0aa5-202e-40d0-9ede-9230f39d5ce6

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