Hopewell Eating Disorders Centre was founded in 1999 by three women who had each watched their daughters suffer from anorexia. They wanted to create an organization that could offer support, information and hope to those dealing with anorexia and bulimia, as well as to their families and friends. The Centre does not offer medical care; instead, its programs and services are meant to complement treatment. In that capacity, its staff and volunteers work closely with medical professionals and therapists within the Ottawa health community.

 

Hopewell runs two different support groups, both facilitated by trained professionals: one is geared towards individuals dealing with eating disorders, the other for families and friends. In addition, the Centre offers expressive art programs such as creative writing and they also maintain a Speaker’s Bureau of individuals who are available to make presentations to interested groups in the community. They have also worked with the Royal Ottawa Hospital on a preventative education program to raise awareness of body image issues and eating disorders among Ottawa’s youth, and offer a mentoring program to help individuals suffering from eating disorders to reintegrate back into their daily lives, post-treatment.

 

Hopewell is funded mainly by foundation grants and donations from service clubs; its offices are located in Heartwood House in Sandy Hill, a small office building which houses a collective of local nonprofit organizations. Once a year Hopewell holds a high-profile fundraising event called “Stepping Out for Hopewell – a fashion show to celebrate your natural size.” All the models are local celebrities, and Holt Renfrew provides all the fashions. The evening also includes a live and silent auction.