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Former homeless youth pledges $13,000 to boost urgent funding appeal Recognizing fundraising challenges, a former homeless youth has handed Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM) a guaranteed bank draft for $13,000 to boost its Transitional Housing Program – the program that helped him and so many others build new lives. The money will be used as matching funds to kickstart an urgent community fundraising appeal. For more information, visit WRYM’s January 2020 Urgent Funding Appeal at www.wrym.ca or contact Windsor Residence for Young Men. “WRYM depends almost entirely on community donations, and he heard that our year-end fundraising was not as successful as we had hoped,” said WRYM’s Chair of Donor Development Dave Freeman. “He wants to inspire others to help, and he wants to remain anonymous.”
The Transitional Housing Program provides young men 16 - 24 years with a supportive home and individual counselling. It teaches basic life skills such as hygiene, food acquisition and preparation, budgeting, social responsibility and work ethic. The residents reconnect with their community, education and employment. They become empowered and productive full citizens. WRYM’s 2019 statistics show an average 95 percent success rate over the past three years. In 2019, WRYM assisted 96 clients in its Transitional Housing, Aftercare and Outreach programs. Of these, 42 young men were enrolled and successfully graduated from the Transitional Housing Program. “This is the only supportive transitional housing program for young men in Windsor,” said Freeman. “It’s not an emergency shelter, drop-in centre or subsidized housing. It is an essential community program that diverts young men with potential from the streets at the earliest possible age. Overall, WRYM is a lifeline to about 20 percent of the local homeless population. Without it, not only will many of these vulnerable youths be lost to unemployment, substance abuse, sickness, violence, sexual assault and other crimes, but our community’s social agencies, emergency services, courts, families and taxpayers will face the consequences of not dealing with the challenges early on. “The basic problem is that, although WRYM provides an absolutely essential community service, unlike other social agencies it receives very little government funding. When we opened our doors in 2012, many people did not want to recognize that young men could be vulnerable victims, that some demoralized victims can also become perpetrators, and that early intervention can benefit the entire community. Three agencies were providing good and essential transitional housing services for women, but there was nothing for young men. Senior government had frozen funding for any new agencies and so this basic inequity has been frozen in time for the past eight years. “WRYM’s Transitional Housing Program is highly successful even though operations and staffing are cut to the bone. All funding goes directly to the program – we do not duplicate the services of other agencies, and administration and fundraising are done entirely by volunteers. Yet, every year we risk the collapse of transitional housing services for homeless young men in our community. We are doing our best to raise awareness of what WRYM does among elected officials and government funding and program administrators, while also continuing to appeal to citizens. I think Windsor can do better!” For more information, visit WRYM’s website Your Help Page, Facebook site at www.facebook.com/windsorresidenceforyoungmen, or telephone 519.981.9917. Journalists - here is a print version of this news release 
Windsor Residence for Young Men is to benefit from THE HOME DEPOT ORANGE DOOR CAMPAIGN Until December 22 at Windsor’s Walker and Division Roads Store  The Home Depot’s Walker and Division roads store manager Mark Belanger (L) and WRYM Director of Fundraising Dave Freeman (R) have started Orange Door fundraising to help homeless young men build new lives. The Home Depot’s Orange Door Project fundraising campaign for youth housing charities across Canada is under way. One hundred percent of the funds raised at the Walker and Division roads store (store #7228) in Windsor will benefit the Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM).
Until December 22, customers will be asked if they would like to make a $2 donation at the checkout when purchasing goods at the Walker and Division store, or can donate online at www.orangedoorproject.ca. If donating online, people are being asked to be sure to select the Walker and Division store “Fund #7228” in the drop-down menu so that their donation benefits WRYM. They may also leave a note regarding their donation. Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM) is a charitable organization that supports young men 16 - 24 years of age as they leave homelessness behind to build new lives. WRYM provides a transitional residence and individual counselling while teaching basic life skills such as hygiene, food acquisition and preparation, budgeting, social responsibility and work ethic. WRYM depends almost entirely on donations from the community, which go direct to assisting homeless young men. Administrative tasks are done by community volunteers. “All of this comes primarily through the generosity of our local community,” said WRYM Director of Fundraising Dave Freeman on Wednesday, “and so we have partnered with The Home Depot again for the Orange Door campaign. They have been a wonderful supporter and partner of ours over the years and we are hoping that again the Windsor community will rise to the occasion and help us to raise money for this important cause.” “We have established a great relationship over the years and it’s great to have such an appreciative charitable partner,” said store manager Mark Belanger. “We are quite happy to get engaged and have some fun around collecting funds, especially around the holidays, for such a great and deserving charity as WRYM. “ Through its holiday season fundraisers, including the Orange Door Campaign, WRYM is trying to raise $16,000 – that’s the yearly cost of assisting two homeless young men to build new lives. For more information, please visit www.wrym.ca Rain or wind aside – the WRYM Charity Golf Tournament did go on! On Sunday September 29, about 40 golfers braved wind and intermittent rain showers to show their support for the Windsor Residence for Young Men’s programs. Our programs are almost entirely dependant on the donations of our community’s corporate and individual citizens, and this why we hold fundraising events such as this - our first WRYM Charity Golf Tournament, at Sutton Creek Golf Club!
Photos - About 40 golfers braved wind and intermittent rain showers to show their support for the Windsor Residence for Young Men’s programs. With their support and with their example, Sunday’s golfers and sponsors have done much to improve the lives of young men in our community. On behalf of WRYM’s residents, staff and board, we would very much like to recognize your generosity.  **Note - The Cart Sponsor chose to be anonymous, and shall be known for evermore as “A Friend of WRYM”. Our gratitude also goes to our Hole Sponsors, who are also great friends of WRYM:
Thank you everyone!
We work – and play – together to end homelessness! Community Awards Presented at the WRYM Charity Golf Tournament Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM) presented two community awards on Sunday, September 29, at its WRYM Charity Golf Tournament at Sutton Creek Golf Club.  Photo – Dave Freeman of the WRYM Board (left) and WRYM Executive Director Greg Goulin (right) present Tom Marshall of Colautti Brothers (centre) with the WRYM Community Awareness Award. WRYM’s Community Awareness Award is its highest award to individuals or organizations who have demonstrated their awareness of WRYM’s programs and have greatly assisted with the provision of services to help homeless youth rebuild their lives. Past recipients have included Roth Mosey CPAs, The Windsor-Essex Criminal Lawyers Association, and Percy Hatfield MPP. Tom Marshall of Colautti Brothers Marble Tile and Carpet (1985) Inc. is this year’s recipient of the award. He had heard that the linoleum tiles on the main floor of Windsor Residence for Young Men were sorely in need of replacement. He did a professional assessment, acquired new flooring specific to WRYM’s needs, and supplied two highly skilled tradespersons to install the new floor over three days at no charge. “The cost of replacing the flooring would otherwise have been $8,000 -10,000,” says WRYM’s volunteer Executive Director Greg Goulin.  Photo – Dave Freeman of the WRYM Board (left) and WRYM Executive Director Greg Goulin (right) present Joel Thibodeau of My Green Knight (centre) with the WRYM Community Awareness Award. WRYM’s Heart & Soul Award is for exceptional individual volunteer effort above and beyond reasonable expectations. Joel Thibodeau is the owner of the local My Green Knight franchise which specializes in home maintenance. Every Saturday, he ran WRYM’s Kids Next Door program, a program in which young men are paid to perform home maintenance jobs for local homeowners. For more than a year, Thibodeau spent many weekday evenings inspecting potential jobs for suitability. “He taught young men workplace, tool and ladder safety – and he even rented tools and trailers at his own expense to make the experience meaningful,” says Greg Goulin. “Often, he referred his own customers to Kids Next Door, and would never take any payment for his efforts or costs incurred.”
The community awards were presented at the closing dinner of the WRYM Charity Golf Tournament held at Sutton Creek Golf Club. About 40 golfers braved wind and intermittent rain showers to show their support for the Windsor Residence for Young Men’s programs. Major sponsors were The Stephanie and Barry Zekelman Foundation (Platinum), Motor City Community Credit Union (Silver), Bhav Dulay - Coldwell Banker Essential Realty (Silver), and CK Ortho Inc. (Bronze). Two Community Awards to be Presented at the WRYM Charity Golf Tournament Windsor Residence for Young Men will present two community awards on Sunday, September 29, at the dinner following its WRYM Charity Golf Tournament at Sutton Creek Golf Club. WRYM’s Community Awareness Award is its highest award to individuals or organizations who have demonstrated their awareness of WRYM’s programs and have greatly assisted with the provision of services to help homeless youth rebuild their lives. Past recipients have included Roth Mosey CPAs, The Windsor-Essex Criminal Lawyers Association, and Percy Hatfield MPP. Tom Marshall of Colautti Floors is this year’s recipient of the award. He had heard that the linoleum tiles on the main floor of Windsor Residence for Young Men were sorely in need of replacement. He did a professional assessment, acquired new flooring specific to WRYM’s needs, and supplied two highly skilled tradespersons to install the new floor over three days at no charge. “The cost of replacing the flooring would otherwise have been $8,000 -10,000,” says WRYM’s volunteer Executive Director Greg Goulin. WRYM’s Heart & Soul Award is for exceptional individual volunteer effort above and beyond reasonable expectations. Joel Thibodeau is the owner of the local My Green Knight franchise which specializes in home maintenance. Every Saturday, he ran WRYM’s Kids Next Door program, a program in which young men are paid to perform home maintenance jobs for local homeowners. For more than a year, Thibodeau spent many weekday evenings inspecting potential jobs for suitability. “He taught young men workplace, tool and ladder safety – and he even rented tools and trailers at his own expense to make the experience meaningful,” says Greg Goulin. “Often, he referred his own customers to Kids Next Door, and would never take any payment for his efforts or costs incurred.” WRYM’s Community Awareness Award and Heart and Soul Award will be presented as follows: WRYM Charity Golf Tournament Dinner - Dinner at 6:00 PM and awards at 7:00 PM Sunday, September 29 Sutton Creek Golf Club, 2135 County Road 12, Essex, Ontario WRYM Charity Golf Tournament Sunday, September 29 Tournament Check-in at 11:30 AM Shotgun start at 1:00 PM. Golfer(s) - golf, dinner, reception $150 Guest(s) - dinner, reception $50  Youth Independence Program Gets Under Way Click here for what The Windsor Star and AM 800 iHeartRadio had to say!  Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM), the Greater Essex County District School Board (GECDSB) and its Public Alternative Secondary School (P.A.S.S.) today announced the launch of an innovative program that is expected to make real gains in assisting young people at risk in our community to avoid homelessness and rebuild their lives. The Youth Independence Program is a classroom-based curriculum that will teach life skills to youth aged 16-24, regardless of gender, who wish to become self-reliant, gain a secondary school credit, and receive educational guidance, optional entry into paid employment training, and referrals to community support. The students will attend a two-hour class five days a week for three months. In June, the program received a grant of $26,186. Lisa Kolody, Executive Director of the WindsorEssex Community Foundation, says, “The WindsorEssex Community Foundation was fortunate to partner with Green Shield Canada as part of the national Six 4 Six Community Granting Initiative Program. Green Shield Canada is making meaningful investments in community programs like the Youth Independence Program to improve health outcomes for all Canadians. This collaboration will be invaluable in addressing the needs our young people face daily and we thank the partners for working together.” “Our WRYM transitional housing program for homeless young men has an average 90 percent success rate,” says WRYM President Susan Freeman, “and now, thanks to our partners, we are able to extend that success to more at-risk youth, regardless of gender, even before they become homeless.”
Josh Canty, Superintendent of Education with the Greater Essex County District School Board says, “We are always seeking new and different ways to connect with young people who, for whatever reason, have not completed at least their secondary school educations. This is a great opportunity to motivate them to do just that.”  Celebrating Thursday’s launch of the WRYM Youth Independence Program were (L to R) GECDSB Superintendent of Education Josh Canty; Lisa Kolody, Executive Director of the WindsorEssex Community Foundation; WRYM Program Director Jason Weinberg; WRYM President Susan Freeman; WRYM Executive Director Greg Goulin; Barb Milne, Department Head, Public Alternative Secondary School; and Dana O’Neil, Re-engagement & Alternative Education Consultant GECDSB. General Inquiries:
E-mail: executivedirector@wrym.ca Telephone: 226.221.8464 Fax: 226.221.8624 Mail: The Windsor Residence for Young Men 1505 Langlois Avenue Windsor, Ontario, Canada N8X 4M3 Thank you, Orange Door Project!  Windsor Residence for Young Men benefits from Home Depot’s June Fundraising Campaign at the Walker and Division Roads Store The Home Depot Canada’s Walker & Division roads store in Windsor has raised $3,348 for Windsor Residence for Young Men. The funds from the three-week The Orange Door Project campaign in June will be used to support local at-risk and homeless youth. “We are very grateful to Home Depot Canada and the Walker & Division store for their support,” said WRYM Board Member Dave Freeman. “I want to thank our customers and our associates for rallying behind this important cause,” said Pam O’Rourke, chair, The Home Depot Canada Foundation and vice-president, merchandising, The Home Depot Canada. “Youth homelessness exists in all of our communities, and the generous donations provided during The Orange Door Project campaign, helps 120 charity partners provide the local support needed to help secure brighter futures for vulnerable or homeless youth.” Across Canada, The Orange Door Project raised $858,014 for 120 youth-serving housing charities.
One hundred percent of the funds raised at the Walker & Division roads store will benefit the transitional living program for residents of WRYM, which is a charitable organization that supports young men 16 - 24 years of age as they leave homelessness behind to build new lives. WRYM provides a transitional residence and individual counselling while teaching basic life skills such as hygiene, food acquisition and preparation, budgeting, social responsibility and work ethic. For more information, please visit www.wrym.ca The Home Depot Canada Foundation The Home Depot Canada Foundation is committed to preventing and ending youth homelessness in Canada. On any given night, more than 6,000 young people are without a place to call home, making youth homelessness one of the most urgent social issues facing Canadians today. Through The Orange Door Project initiative, The Foundation has pledged $50 million by the end of 2022 to improve housing options, support life-skills development programs, and invest in research that ensures funding is directed to the most effective solutions designed to help youth build brighter futures. For more information, please visit www.orangedoorproject.ca Media contact: Brian Worrall, Chair. WRYM PR Committee
- 519.255.7930/226.759-2802 / jbrianworrall@gmail.com The Orange Door Project is Under Way! Windsor Residence for Young Men will benefit from Home Depot’s Fundraising Campaign May 30 to June 23, 2019 - Walker and Division Roads Store  L to R: WRYM President Susan Freeman joined with Assistant Store Manager Sherri Jean and WRYM Director Dave Freeman to launch the Home Depot Walker & Division store’s Orange Door fundraising project for Windsor Residence for Young Men. The Home Depot Canada’s Walker & Division roads store in Windsor has partnered with The Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM) to raise funds in support of local at-risk and homeless youth. Until June 23, customers can donate $2.00 at the store’s checkout or online at www.orangedoorproject.ca. If donating online, please be sure to select the Walker & Division store fund “Windsor-7228” in the drop-down menu so that your donation benefits WRYM. One hundred percent of the funds raised at the Walker & Division roads store (store #7228) in Windsor will benefit the transitional living program for residents of WRYM, which is a charitable organization that supports young men 16 - 24 years of age as they leave homelessness behind to build new lives. WRYM provides a transitional residence and individual counselling while teaching basic life skills such as hygiene, food acquisition and preparation, budgeting, social responsibility and work ethic. For more information, please visit www.wrym.ca “Our program depends almost entirely on the generosity of the community, says WRYM Board Member Dave Freeman, “and so we are very grateful to Home Depot Canada and the Walker & Division store for their support. We can assure donors that WRYM is both effective and efficient – we have a ninety percent success rate - we do not duplicate services of other agencies, and funding goes direct to the program. Our administration is done free of charge by volunteers. So, please do donate!” Through The Orange Door Project fundraising campaign, The Home Depot Canada Foundation supports 120 organizations that are committed to preventing and ending youth homelessness across the country. The Home Depot Canada Foundation The Home Depot Canada Foundation is committed to preventing and ending youth homelessness in Canada. On any given night, more than 6,000 young people are without a place to call home, making youth homelessness one of the most urgent social issues facing Canadians today. Through The Orange Door Project initiative, The Foundation has pledged $50 million by the end of 2022 to improve housing options, support life-skills development programs, and invest in research that ensures funding is directed to the most effective solutions designed to help youth build brighter futures. For more information, please visit www.orangedoorproject.ca
Media contact: Brian Worrall, Chair. WRYM PR Committee - 519.255.7930/226.280.7203 / jbrianworrall@gmail.com The WRYM Charity Golf Tournament invites friends, golfers and sponsors to help homeless young men build new lives!  PLATINUM SPONSOR  SILVER SPONORS
GOLFERS This exciting day is intended to raise funds for WRYM’s ongoing work supporting young men 16 - 24 years of age as they leave homelessness behind to build new lives. WRYM’s staff of women and men delivers individual counselling and teaches basic life skills such as hygiene, food acquisition and preparation, budgeting, social responsibility and work ethic. TICKETS: Golfer Ticket - includes golf, dinner, reception at $150 each Guest Ticket - includes dinner, reception only at $50 each Optional - additional hole sponsorship at $250, or you may simply choose to donate TO PURCHASE: Credit Cards - to register golfers, guests or sponsorships and pay by credit card, please fill out your information online here - https://tournamentcaddie.com/golfWRYM2019 Cheques - if you prefer to mail a cheque, please fill out the Sponsorship Form and/or Golfer Sign-up Form below, make the cheque payable to “Windsor Residence for Young Men”, note "Golf Sept 29" on the cheque, and mail the form(s) and cheque to Windsor Residence for Young Men, 1505 Langlois Ave, Windsor ON N8X 4M3.
SPONSORS “We are inviting community sponsors to take part in supporting the WRYM Charity Golf Tournament,” says WRYM's volunteer Executive Director Greg Goulin. “It will be a great opportunity both to help homeless young men and to get your name out in the community. To start, we are grateful to Sutton Creek Golf Club for sharing their fine course and for all their expertise in organizing such a tournament!"
 Questions? E-mail golfwrym@gmail.com  |
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January 2020
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