During a tour of Honour House Nov. 2, De Genova's pride is obvious-not just for the structure, but also the way the project came together as a labour of love for the hundreds who volunteered time, labour and cash to make this dream a reality. De Genova mentions too many names, groups and associations to include here, but some of the key contributors are B.C. Housing, the Vancouver Regional Construction and B.C. construction associations, Portico interior design, Houle Electric, Walter Francl Architects, the New Westminster Rotary Club, Wesgroup financial, Scott Construction and the City of New Westminster.
New Westminster Mayor Wayne Wright told the Courier once the project was approved, his city's council and staff went above and beyond to ensure permits were approved and inspections completed in a timely manner.
"It was the fastest ever done," says Wright. "It helped that the community bought into the project right from the beginning when they saw it was such a positive project."
De Genova says despite everyone's best efforts, the project did run over budget so he's back on the fundraising trail. Though the project is off to a successful start and is so obviously needed, future funding is an ongoing concern, he says. But even that concern isn't stopping De Genova from dreaming even bigger.
"I want to see an Honour House in every province in Canada," says De Genova. "There's such a need."
STANDING IN the kitchen of Honour House on the morning of Nov. 2, a woman packs up the lunch she'll take with her that day to Children's Hospital.
The woman is married to an RCMP officer from Kelowna. As she talks about her son she breaks down causing a chain reaction that soon has Honour House general manager Marg Gordon, De Genova and this reporter wiping our eyes. The woman asked not to be identified because her 11-year-old son is recovering from anorexia, an eating disorder often fatal in children. The woman has been staying at Honour House since September.
"It's great to have this spot for some respite," says the woman, who spends up to
10 hours a day at the hospital. "I can come back here and rest before I go back to the hospital."
The woman and her husband looked for a place for her to stay in Vancouver closer to the hospital, but couldn't afford the rents. Then another RCMP member told the family about Honour House.
"They are filling such a need," said the woman, who added she was able to bring her son to Honour House for a Halloween party the weekend before where they carved pumpkins together.
"It's been a long haul, but I know he'll come home soon. But in the meanwhile Honour House has been a blessing."
NEW WESTMINSTER Fire Chief Tim Armstrong believes in the objectives of Honour House so strongly, he sits on the society's board of directors.
"It's a great, great project and we've already seen the difference it makes to people's lives," Armstrong said during a phone conversation.
Armstrong cites a recent example of a fire chief from Vancouver Island and his wife who recently had a lengthy stay in Vancouver while their daughter received medical treatment. The couple was staying at a "run down" place on Vancouver's East Side because that was all they could afford. When Armstrong heard about the family, he got a hold of the chief and asked him to meet him out at Honour House - without explaining why.
"When he got there and I showed him around, he said, "How do you make arrangements to stay here?" says Armstrong. "So I told him that as long as there was room, they were welcome. Then he asked me how much it would cost and I told him there was no cost. We moved them in that day - it's that simple."
The man was visibly emotional about the offer and admitted he'd been concerned about being wiped out financially.
"It was nice to relieve some of their burden," says Armstrong, who notes the interior design of the home creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
"You walk in and you can feel the stress melt away. You can only appreciate that when you're faced with these situations, accommodation is the last thing you should have to worry about."
MEANWHILE, DENNIS says his wife Alana had the opportunity to visit Honour House while receiving treatment at VGH where she was a patient for months before she died.
"Alana didn't want to see any pictures of Honour House, she wanted to see it for herself," says Dennis.
Both Bill and Alana's parents travelled from out of town so the families could spend last Christmas together and all stayed at Honour House. Alana's parent's donated a Christmas tree to Honour House, which was decorated and set up on the floor where they were all staying.
"When I showed Alana the tree she was very emotional. She thought the house was beautiful," says Dennis. "I can't begin to imagine what I would have done if I didn't have that support. Honour House became my home-away-from home at a really difficult time and because I was at ease there I could concentrate on Alana. If it wasn't for Al De Genova and Honour House, this would have been so much worse."
While Honour House is always open to the public, a special open house event takes place Remembrance Day, Nov. 11 from 2 to 5 p.m. Honour House is located at 509 St. Georges St., New Westminster. For more information, about Honour House visit honourhouse.ca [email protected]
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