DT News interview: HOPE Program volunteer, Debbie MacRury
Video / November 1, 2021
Transcript
(SVH) The Helping Our Peers by Providing Empathy Program, also known as the HOPE Program, is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. This means 15 years of providing assistance to those who have lost a loved one in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Today, we’re speaking to a HOPE program volunteer, Debbie MacRury, about the important milestone and how to access this great peer support program.
Thanks so much for joining us today, Debbie.
How did the HOPE Program start?
(D) Well, as you mentioned, the HOPE program is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. And the program started when several families were going through the loss of their loved one and they were members of the Canadian Armed Forces and they wanted to support others who were going through the same pain and grief. And they wanted to connect with other families who had lost a loved one because they understood better than anyone what they were going through and they knew how much it meant to be able to talk to another person who is going through similar experience. So the families reached out to the Canadian Armed Forces who fully supported this initiative and the HOPE program was started. So I think they showed how powerful and important peer support truly is.
(S) Can you explain why a program like HOPE is important and what made you decide to become a peer support volunteer with the program?
(D) Grief can be overwhelming and friends and family try to help, but sometimes, they just don't understand what you're going through. I think being able to speak to someone who truly understands how you're feeling is really vital, especially when you're in the depths of grief.
And for myself personally, Shelley, I became a volunteer because the support I received was such a beautiful gift in a time of great sorrow and it is a way that I can honour my son and I want to give back and I want to help others the way that I've been supported with the HOPE program through my grief. And I know our son would want me to help others and I want to be able to do that, not only for him, but I also want to be able to do that for myself.
(S) Thank you so much for sharing that.
(D) Thanks, Shelley. Thanks for putting the spotlight on the HOPE program because it truly is an amazing program.
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