HOPE COTTAGE
2435 Brunswick Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, B3K 2Z4 (902) 429-7968
HOPE COTTAGE
Hope Cottage relies heavily on the assistance of their volunteers. Currently we have approximately 30 volunteers. We have ten meal shifts per week and require three volunteers per shift.
In addition to our volunteers and the Director, Hope Cottage has three staff members on its payroll. These staff members are invaluable to the operation of this organization and we would like to introduce them to you.
Michael
Burke
Michael has been the
Director of Hope Cottage since July 1, 1998. He attended
St. Francis Xavier University, and the Technical University of Nova Scotia
and has a degree in Civil Engineering. He then went on to do an MBA
from Dalhousie University in 1979. Michael is married and has five
children and three grandchildren.
On top of his duties as Director
of Hope Cottage, Michael is also Vice-president of the National Council
of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, President of Burke Engineering Ltd.
and Burke Ecomat Canada Ltd. He is also the Parochial Administrator
of St. Patrick's Parish in Halifax and the Managing Director of Atlantic
Canada’s only street paper, Street Feat.
Maxine Wagner
Maxine has been at Hope Cottage
since 1980, making her the longest serving member of the staff. Max
moved back to Halifax from Truro in November 1980 and started as a volunteer.
After a year and a half of volunteering four days a week, she was hired
on. Since then she has worked for 10 different Directors. Maxine
works the "morning" shift and covers the morning meal. She is also
responsible for much of the office work, including taking care of finding
and scheduling volunteers, issuing receipts and preparing deposit slips
for the bank.
Kevin Connors
Kevin is the “door man” and
he has been at Hope Cottage for about eight years. He came to work
at the Cottage when a friend asked him to take over his job. Kevin
is primarily responsible for controlling traffic through the Cottage, which
is particularly heavy during the evening meal. He also is the person
that keeps count, and serves coffee and sandwiches at the door. People
under the influence are not allowed in but are given sandwiches and coffee
at the door. We have a couple of regulars who are fed at the door,
as they tend to create havoc when allowed inside.
Kevin lives in Halifax with his wife and two children.
Leona Nielsen
About 14 years ago, Leona
was walking past Hope Cottage and decided to drop in and offer her services
as a volunteer. She has been with the Cottage ever since and is now
a full-time employee. Leona works the evening shift which goes from
12:00 noon to 7:00 PM. Leona is the lay down cook and is responsible
for preparing the evening meal, and dealing with and scheduling the supper
groups. She is the mother of three children and two cats!
Ed Hollett
Ed has worked part-time
at Hope Cottage as an addiction counsellor since December 1998.
He works twice a week at the Cottage, Tuesdays and Fridays, for group sessions
and is also available for one-on-one counselling by appointment.
All meetings are held at Hope Cottage. Ed also fills in for Kevin
when Kevin is sick or on vacation.
Bud
the Cat
Last but not least, Hope Cottage
has one "retired" employee, Bud the Cat. Bud is 14 years old and
has been a resident of Hope Cottage for 11 years. Bud now spends
his days soaking up the sun and playing. He is a valuable and lovable
addition to the Cottage.
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