24 Spady Years - Top 10 Highlights
June 1st was a special day for Lorette Garrick, our Chief Executive Officer. Exactly 24 years ago, she joined the George Spady Society as Executive Director of the Overnight Shelter/Detox program, at that time, the one and only GSS program. Given all the change and growth, what were the highlights from the past 24 years for Lorette? Here are her top 10:
Working with so many wonderful staff and Board members over the years.
The Detox becoming medical - this has been my goal from day one.
My first vision upon arriving at Spady was to provide a continuum of services that allows people to leave the life of homelessness. We have accomplished that in the 24 years I’ve been here.
MEETING GEORGE SPADY IN PERSON!
Initiating the Homeless Memorial when we were doing concerts and a memorial as a community.
Becoming accredited with Accreditation Canada.
Opening George’s house in 2010, our first external program.
Designing the CAT program in collaboration with an external consultant, sending the proposal and then getting the funding from Homeward Trust in 2011. This was our first clinical program and a big milestone.
Watching one program after another START AND BEING ON THE GROUND FLOOR of design. We have always been so innovative.
Seeing the vision of the ‘systems map’ – all the integrated parts of how our organization functions - becoming a reality.
To say that much has changed over the past two decades is a huge understatement. From 1 program to 10 —from about 20 staff to over 200. That’s a lot of change and a lot to be proud of. Congratulations, and thank you, Lorette!
