On Friday, March 27, 2009, about 100 people sat down to a gourmet dinner and an entertaining evening of stories, music and laughter. They were there to celebrate Gordon Harper, the winner of the second annual Unsung Hero Award, a joint endeavor of the First Unitarian Church and the Community Council.

Gordon is the Executive Director of Umbrella Society for Addictions and Mental Health. But his personal journey started at the bottom 20 years ago. At some point back then, after days of drinking alone in his apartment, a family member knocked on his door. A drunk and unkempt Gordon turned her away. But she returned and when Gordon opened the door, his cousin Marilyn said to him “This has to stop. What are we going to do about it?”

Hearing the word “we” gave Gordon new motivation to start down that hard road to recovery. At the core of Umbrella’s work is that “we” statement. Gordon believes that everyone needs a “we.” Having been there, he wants to help people, no matter where they are in their addiction and walk with them through their journey of recovery.

The Umbrella Society has a working board of directors and a staff of five. You will find Gordon and his staff all over Victoria, meeting people in coffee shops, hospitals, the detox facility, recovery houses, shelters, their homes. Wherever they are on their journey, Umbrella will support them.

Thank you to the First Unitarian Church, the Community Council, everyone who attended and to all the Unsung Heroes everywhere.