The Share the Spirit program of the National Arts Centre (NAC) enables children, families, and vulnerable populations to enjoy performances at the NAC free of charge. Women experiencing abuse are often unable to attend events such as NAC performances due to economic barriers and the control experienced at home. Share the Spirit makes it possible for women and children to enjoy a night out while residing at IHO.
Generous community donors support the program, which provides tickets to community partners like IHO; each organization then distributes tickets to clients that benefit from the program. Last year, the NAC provided over 2,500 tickets through community partners.
Recently, IHO provided resident Gillian and her seven year old son LIam with tickets to the Nutcracker made available by Share the Spirit. "Liam and I have been through a lot over these recent years," she writes of the experience, "but we have shared our love of Tchaikovsky since he was a baby. Through your generosity, Liam and I were able to attend our first ballet together. Something we have longed to do but were never allowed and something our present circumstances prevent.
"Your kind donation allowed us to experience such joy during the holidays! Liam loved the whole experience! From dressing up in a bow tie to the very end of the performance, he was radiating with joy and peach. Once the music started, he turned and whispered to me, 'I hear the music in my ears and I feel it in my heart!' Seeing his excitement and joy was so moving, and brought tears to my eyes. I wish to offer you our deepest thanks for the generosity and kindness your donation brought to our lives and the lives of all the mothers and children here at Interval House of Ottawa."
After the performance, Liam drew a picture of the bear he enjoyed during the show.
