Honour House

Canadian men and women in the Armed Forces and emergency services dedicate their lives to serving the citizens in Canada.

In so doing, they make many sacrifices to help others.

When these same dedicated individuals are faced with a medical emergency or family crisis their focus shifts to their families’ needs.  For those individuals living some distance away from the appropriate medical facilities, the costs of hotel accommodation for the family can be a significant financial challenge.

In 2010, Honour House was opened to provide a temporary home for our Canadian Forces Veterans, Emergency Services Personnel and their families while they travel to receive medical care and treatment in the Metro Vancouver Area.  These facilities are provided FREE of charge to these individuals and their families.

HONOUR HOUSE HISTORY 

Allan De Genova, former Vancouver Park Board Commissioner and a twenty-six year supporter of Vancouver’s Ronald McDonald House, was sitting at home one evening with his wife watching a Gemini Award winning documentary entitled “Peace Warrior” on television. The documentary told the harrowing story of Captain Trevor Greene of the Seaforth Highlanders. Trevor was attacked and seriously injured while deployed in Afghanistan and the story of his miraculous recovery is both incredibly moving and inspiring.

Captain Greene was on patrol in Afghanistan with members of Princess Patricia’s Light Infantry as they attended a meeting with elders in the village of Shinkay. Honouring a local custom, Captain Greene had removed his helmet as a sign of respect and shortly afterwards a man struck him violently in the head, from behind, with an axe. Members of Captain Greene’s platoon shot the attacker before he could strike again but the attack was the signal for the start of an ambush and they came under heavy fire as they evacuated their critically wounded brother from the battlefield.

US Army Medics frantically fought to save Captain Greene’s life in the helicopter on the way back to Kandahar Air Field where doctors would perform several surgeries to successfully stabilize him. Captain Greene was then flown to an intensive care facility in Landstuhl, Germany and then on to facilities in both Alberta and BC as he continued his rehabilitation. All of this time his wife Debbie and their daughter Grace stayed by his side as he travelled on his long road to recovery. It was obvious from watching the documentary that Captain Greene’s family struggled to find and pay for accommodation as they stayed with him as he recovered and this touched the hearts of both Al and his wife and the idea for Honour House was born.

Following a chance meeting with Canadian Chief of Defence, General Rick Hillier and Senator Larry Campbell at a Vancouver Canucks hockey game, Al shared his vision of a “home away from home” for our Military, Veterans and Emergency Services Personnel with them both and General Hillier presented Al with a challenge coin encouraging him to go ahead with his project and make Honour House into a reality.

At first the Federal Government was approached with the idea of locating a house on land near Jericho Beach, close to the current military base. This idea was turned down by the government and Al was even told to “cease and desist” by them. Al was determined to soldier on, regardless of the negative feedback that he had received.

Another deal fell through in a Vancouver location but then Al received a call from the Mayor of New Westminster, Wayne Wright, who encouraged Al and his committee to come to the Royal City as he felt that he had found a suitable property. As soon as Al saw the large home at 509 St. George Street in New Westminster he knew straight away that it was the “right one, a 9 out of 10” according to him at the time.

The historic home in New Westminster was selected and renovations commenced.

Photograph of Honour House in New Westminster, BC.

FAMILIES WHO STAYED AT HONOUR HOUSE

To be eligible to stay at Honour House you must be a member of one of the following groups:

– Full time and Reservist members of the Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force)
– Emergency Services (Paramedic, Police Officer, Fire Fighter)
– Sheriffs
– Canada Border Services Agency
– Corrections Officers
– Coast Guards
– Search and Rescue
– Conservation Officers
– Retired member of the listed groups

And:

You or a member of your immediate family (husband, wife, common law partner, children) must travel away from home to receive medical treatment in the Metro Vancouver Region.

For more details, check out their webpage here.

Some of the recent guests to Honour House are included below along with an outline of their family situations.

A HOME AWAY FROM HOME

Honour House provides a comfortable, family-oriented environment within the tranquillity of the historical neighbourhood of Queen’s Park, New Westminster, B.C.

Set on a quiet, tree-lined street, resting in its own beautifully manicured gardens, Honour House is a fully modernized, wheelchair accessible heritage home.  The home has 10 private, en suite bedrooms, a large shared kitchen and dining area, a media room and multiple living areas and common spaces where residents can find comfort and relax or mingle with other guests.

The interior of Honour House is comparable to high-end hotel.  We have included some photographs below of this facility.

Photograph of the main floor living room in Honour House (Source of photo – Francl Architecture).

Photograph of the sunroom in Honour House (Source of photo – New West Report).

A NON-PROFIT CHARITY

Honour House receives no direct funding and relies heavily on the fundraising efforts of its Board members, volunteers and generous donations from the business community, public and private organizations and the general public.

If you are curious about Honour House, we encourage you to contact Craig Longstaff (General Manager) to arrange a tour of Honour House.  One will be humbled by the support that this facility provides to individuals and families faced with medical challenges.

You can support Honour House in three different methods:

1) Spread the word about Honour House and courage serving and retired Veterans to use this facility;

2) Make a donation to support Honour House.  Details on how to donate can be found under the SUPPORT US menu on their website – honourhouse.ca.

3) Promote and possibly attend the “A Night For Heroes” Honour House Gala Fundraiser on Friday May 22, 1015 at the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel. Guest performer will be world-renowned recording artist Jann Arden.  Check out the details here.