Founders' Story

Hopewell was founded in August 1999 by three parents of teens with anorexia who became frustrated by the lack of information, support and self-help services around eating disorders available in the Ottawa region. Inspired by the work done by Sheena's Place in Toronto, they decided to form Hopewell to provide persons affected by eating disorders with the additional support and resources they need throughout the treatment and recovery process.

In 1999, three moms met in the halls of CHEO as they were trying to support their teenage daughters, all of whom were deeply entrenched in the debilitating clutches of anorexia. Fuelled by a common desire to offer a centre of hope, peer support and information to families, friends and individuals living with anorexia and bulimia, they joined resources to establish Hopewell. While medical care was available at CHEO and the Ottawa General, there were no community supports for people affected with eating disorders, no public education programs, no resource centres or referrals for those seeking help and information. Hopewell was established to provide these vital supports and to work with existing treatment providers to fill gaps in community services for teens, adults and their families coping with eating disorders.

Hopewell's first major public function was the December 2000 Fundraiser with Anne Murray. Pictured from left are our founders Joanne Curran, (Anne Murray), Shelley Shusterman and Lucyna Neville. The need for Hopewell's services is very apparent by the letters of thanks and appreciation that we receive from our clients.