Second Cup Co-founder gives back
By John Mohan

To the knowledgeable observer, Frank's story was sadly common. He was raised in an upper-middle-class family, but love and acceptance were lacking. As others filled his emotional and relational gaps, a few crossed the boundaries and sexually assaulted him. On four different occasions. Each time by people in positions of authority.

Attempting to mask the emotional pain and suppress the memories, Frank adopted a self-destructive lifestyle and drank heavily, becoming a teenage alcoholic. His erratic behaviour was more than his family could handle and he eventually found himself unwanted in his own home. Moving from apartment to flophouses to shelters to the streets, he panhandled to survive and drink. And numb the pain.

In his book When All You Have is Hope, Frank O'Dea gives an insightful picture of life on the streets: "Why should we trade our freedom for a warm room, clean sheets, regular meals and a steady income? Of course, something was missing from that picture. We were free to starve and be beaten and murdered as well. Free to be insulted and belittled. Free to cry alone." While it's often said that people have to hit bottom before they're willing to change, that was not the case here. It wasn't despair that saved Frank's life, but a glimmer of hope that he could get off the streets and be free of his self-destructive lifestyle. At age 23, after hearing a radio commercial that offered help for problem drinkers, he began the long road back. With the support of a patient boss, the Salvation Army in Toronto and a self-help group, he was on the road of escape from the harshness of street life.

But Frank O'Dea isn't just a survivor of homelessness. He isn't just sober, holding down a steady job in stable housing. He became a contributor to society.

Drawing on his innate people skills, natural salesmanship and entrepreneurial spirit, Frank has left a legacy of successes -- from helping in election campaigns to starting several thriving businesses. One of note is co-founding the Second Cup coffee empire, which dots our Canadian landscape.

Desiring more than just wealth and comfort and motivated by the realization that others had invested in him, Frank O'Dea has given back to communities. He has served on charity and not-for-profit boards. In 1985 he co-founded Street Kids International, an organization which helps homeless children in Third World countries, and co-founded the Canadian Landmine Foundation, which raises funds for the dismantling of minefields around the world.

Frank O'Dea has received numerous humanitarian awards, including honorary doctorates. In 2004 he was declared an Officer of the Order of Canada by the Governor General. Today he is a highly sought-after motivational speaker, both in the corporate world and on behalf of charities and marginalized people.

Frank O'Dea O.C. has never forgotten where he came from. He says, "With the exception of seriously mentally ill people, those who live on the streets of our cities want to change. They want to escape the dirt and find the way out."

On Wednesday April 9, Cardinal Capital Management Inc. and its president, Tim Burt, will host an inspiring evening with Frank O'Dea as guest speaker at the Inn at the Forks, with RBC as a secondary major sponsor. Proceeds will go to Siloam Mission. Tickets are available by calling Siloam Mission at 956-4344.

Originally printed in the Winnipeg Sun, Wednesday, March 12, 2008.
Reprinted with the permission of Sun Media Corporation.