Amanda Dore, after many years of dedicated service and support for our community, has moved on from St-James to continue her intervention work. In the weeks leading up to her departure, I witnessed such a palpable swell of gratitude and emotion for how much she has offered and all that we will miss in her absence. Before leaving, she wrote an open letter to the center as a loving goodbye to all the members she didn’t, in her short notice, have the chance to speak with. Her words paint a vivid picture of the warmth, compassion and sense of belonging that are the beating heart of everything we try to cultivate here at the drop-in.

As she recounted her first, uncertain steps at the center I was reminded of how much care and guidance she offered me as I was taking my own first steps. Her resilience, adaptability and unwavering commitment to the lives we encounter here continues to inform and inspire how I move through this space. I don’t know how I would have managed without her exceptional example. To say that Amanda has positively impacted the lives of those around her only scratches at the surface of the real worth of her impact here.

It has been several months now since her departure and I know we all feel her absence. Even though she no longer works here, it’s impossible to miss her when I look around and see how much of her remains. Her presence is felt in all the sticky-notes she left on my computer to cheer me up on rough days and the times she came in early to decorate the offices with pictures to make us feel seen and appreciated. It’s felt in the traditions she maintained, organizing memorials and marking down everyone’s birthdays in the calendar. Her name trickles through the main room often, members waxing sentimental and recounting anecdotes of her silly humor and infectious laughter. She is woven into the fibers of this place and we are all better for having had her here. 

I know I speak for us all when I say we wish to express our sincerest gratitude for her hard work, dedication, and the countless moments of connection she has facilitated over the years both among the staff and with the community. Rather than be saddened by her departure, I feel eager to carry the torch that she has been tending to all these years as she embarks on the next leg of her journey. We hope that she knows that her St-James family will always be here, cheering her on every step of the way. Her legacy of compassion and belonging will continue to inspire us, reminding us of the profound impact that one person can have on the lives of many. 

Thank you, Amanda, for everything you’ve done and continue to do for our community.

Sincerely,
Tristan and the St-James Family