Ottawa believers organize grassroots effort to sew medical gowns for those caring for the homeless.

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

Some of those most vulnerable to COVID-19 are also among the least talked about: the homeless. Without stable places to go for self-isolation, the risk of rapid spread among Ottawa’s homeless population is significant.

Ordinary citizens, many from Ottawa’s Christian community, are volunteering their time and money to help protect this vulnerable group, all without leaving the safety of their homes.

“Most of the services which [homeless] people relied on, like access to toilets, showers, and laundry facilities, are closed,” explains Wendy Muckle, executive director of Ottawa Inner City Health (OICH) which offers health services to Ottawa’s homeless. “Shelters are overflowing, with big line ups for meals.”

As of April 17, Muckle says, Ottawa’s homeless services have seen some outbreaks, but have so far been able to keep the spread under control. Yet, the risks are significant that an outbreak could overwhelm the health services available to the homeless. That’s where Leonor and Michael Ward found a way to help.

“They asked for surgical caps and 2,500 medical gowns.”

“My wife used to work at the Ottawa Hospital with Dr. Jeff Turnbull [the medical director of OICH],” explains Michael Ward. “When the crisis hit, she asked if there is something his organization needs that can be sourced in the community. They asked for surgical caps and 2,500 medical gowns. We are putting a team together to do this.”

The gowns are used by care providers, along with gloves and masks, and need to be removed and washed after contact with each patient. The Wards reached out to Ottawa’s sewing community for help making the caps and gowns. Within a week, local volunteers supplied the 120 surgical caps needed. Now, the Wards have set their sights on meeting the need for gowns.

“We are working as hard as we can to get ahead of the curve, to get the supplies they need. We have pulled on our church networks to get this set up and we are getting the most response through Love Ottawa and pastors telling their communities about this. We have in the range of 110 to 120 people actually sewing gowns. We could use another 90.”

A child helps lay out the pattern to sew a gown. Photo courtesy of Ottawa Gowns 4 Homeless.

Ward’s grassroots team delivers fabric and patterns to volunteer sewers, then picks up the finished gowns delivering them to OICH. They take safety precautions to prevent their work from spreading any infection.

“The response from the community has been amazing. The most striking thing is that every [volunteer] is happy to have found a way to help during this time. This is a concrete way that your average citizen can make a difference from home.”

Parkdale United is one of the churches that responded quickly. Anthony Bailey, Parkdale’s pastor, says they have more than 40 members helping sew gowns.

“Our motivation comes from being instruments of God’s love and grace. Given the sheltering at home, this is a wonderful opportunity for those who have some skill in sewing to do something constructive. I’m seeing both an encouragement and a lifting of spirits to know their services are making a difference.”

Team member Christian Cee Aiko gets ready to drop off a batch of medical gowns. Photo courtesy of Ottawa Gowns 4 Homeless.

For those who have no experience sewing, Ward says there are still ways you can help. They need drivers to pick up and drop off materials. They also need financial donations (made through OICH) to help cover the cost of gown materials.

“Each gown takes about $10 of material. Any donations to Ottawa Inner City Health marked for this will go to purchase these fabrics so they can devote the resources they have to higher needs. We also still need more sewers. All you have to do is send an email to ottawagowns4homeless@gmail.com.”