 COVID-19 Emergency Grant Funds Safety and Support for At-Risk Youth The Windsor Residence for Young Men is supported by the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund and WindsorEssex Community Foundation News Release – 16 December 2020
The WindsorEssex Community Foundation has granted $14,118 to the Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM) from the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund. The money will be used to provide four months of full-time support to at-risk youth who are struggling with the second wave of COVID 19 as they try to rebuild their lives in the community. WRYM provides Aftercare Program services to many of more than 300 past clients of its Transitional Housing Program as they attempt to reintegrate into the community with suitable living arrangements, work and education. COVID-19 has caused a full range of additional hardships for these at-risk youth. A recent national survey (September 24, 2020, A Way Home Canada & Canadian Observatory on Homelessness) determined the following:
WRYM’s Chair of Donor Development, Dave Freeman, says, “We are very grateful to the WindsorEssex Community Foundation and the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund for recognizing the dire need of at-risk youth for safe housing and extra personal support during this second phase of COVID-19. This funding will help us stay true to our mission of helping formerly homeless and at-risk youth to empower themselves as full members of our community.” The Windsor Residence for Young Men WRYM teaches youth basic life skills such as hygiene, food acquisition and preparation, budgeting, social responsibility and work ethic. WRYM integrates homeless youth into the community, reconnecting them with extended family or independent living as well as education and employment. WRYM’s programs are cost-effective because they do not duplicate services already available, and volunteers handle the administrative work. Since opening its doors in 2012, WRYM has helped more than 330 youth to leave homelessness behind and build new lives. For more information, please visit www.wrym.ca WindsorEssex Community Foundation The WindsorEssex Community Foundation is a charitable organization dedicated to improving communities across Windsor-Essex County through collaboration, strategic leadership and innovative solutions to charitable giving. For more information, please visit www.wecf.ca Emergency Community Support Fund Launched on May 19, 2020, the Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF) is a $350M investment from the Government of Canada to support charities and non-profit organizations serving vulnerable populations as they manage the impacts of COVID-19.  Windsor’s Walker and Division Roads Home Depot store launches Orange Door Project Fundraising Campaign to Combat Youth Homelessness The Home Depot Canada will donate $2,000 on behalf of the local store, while 100 per cent of customer donations throughout the campaign will benefit resident of The Windsor Residence for Young Men Windsor, Ontario, December 1, 2020 – The Home Depot Canada’s Walker and Division roads store (store #7228) in Windsor has partnered with The Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM) to raise funds in support of local at-risk and homeless youth. The Home Depot Canada will also donate $2,000 on behalf of each store in support of the additional impacts faced through COVID-19.
Until Dec. 20, customers can donate $2.00 online at OrangeDoorProject.ca or at the store’s checkout. All local donations at this store will help WRYM provide the only supportive transitional housing program for young men in the Windsor area. This community-conceived and funded charitable organization assists youth 16 - 24 years of age as they leave homelessness behind. “We facilitate active citizenship, not dependence” said WRYM’s donor development chair Dave Freeman, “and we have a very high success rate. All funds raised go directly to our youth programs, and we are very grateful to The Home Depot Canada Foundation and our good friends at The Home Depot Walker and Division roads store for continuing to support this essential community work.” Through The Orange Door Project fundraising campaign, The Home Depot Canada Foundation supports 125 organizations that are committed to preventing and ending youth homelessness across the country. About The Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM): WRYM provides a supportive functional family atmosphere, delivers individual counselling, and teaches basic life skills such as hygiene, food acquisition and preparation, budgeting, social responsibility and work ethic. WRYM integrates homeless youth into the community, reconnecting them with extended family or independent living as well as education and employment. WRYM’s programs are cost-effective because they do not duplicate services already available, and volunteers handle the administrative work. Since opening its doors in 2012, WRYM has helped more than 330 youth to leave homelessness behind and build new lives. For more information, please visit www.wrym.ca About 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 -ends- For more information, please contact: Media liaison: Brian Worrall, Pres., Windsor Residence for Young Men Tel 519.255.7930/226.280.7203 E-mail jbrianworrall@gmail.com  Click on the picture above for details of WRYM's Holiday Season of Giving The Windsor Residence for Young Men, serving Windsor and Essex County, Ontario, Canada, is asking people of goodwill for their generosity in helping to end homelessness for youth aged 16-24 years. To reach out to concerned citizens and raise funds to help homeless youth build new lives, WRYM's Holiday Season of Giving campaign is under way December 2-25:
All funds raised at that store, and some sponsor funds, will benefit residents of the Windsor Residence for Young Men. Donate $2 at the checkout or visit www.orangedoorproject.ca and donate to the Windsor Walker and Division roads store (store #7228). WRYM's annual program budget is $400,000 (Canadian). Divided by an average of 50 residents assisted each year, the yearly cost per resident is $8,000.
Fundraiser raises more than $30,000 to help formerly homeless youth Virtual WALK, RUN or ROLL 4 WRYM 2020
The campaign was kicked off with support from Motor City Community Credit Union (https://www.mcccu.com/), acting as Headline Sponsor, and additional support from Provincial Chrysler (https://www.provincialchryslerdealer.com/), which funded promotional t-shirts and water bottles. “We are very grateful for the faith our major sponsors put in us from the beginning,” says WRYM fundraiser Dave Freeman. “They made this very successful fundraiser possible – they allowed our volunteers and participants to come together to help homeless youth build new lives and become part of our community.” During the campaign, citizens were encouraged to sponsor teams of volunteers or individuals who put on popular COVID-safe fundraising activities such as walks, runs and cycling tours. One senior walked one kilometre every weekday. Another volunteer pledged to walk and run 150 kilometres in four weeks, while a couple walked and cycled a combined 300 kilometres in that time. Another volunteer did a marathon walk of 50 kilometres. “This was entirely a volunteer initiative,” says Freeman. “Everyone was acting for the good of formerly homeless youth who can be reconnected with their community, education and employment - and go on to live productive lives. The money raised goes directly to our support programs. We thank our major sponsors, all the volunteers and all the generous donors. We have shown that, together, we are community!” Freeman says he expects that, once all the funds are collected, the total will exceed the campaign goal of $30,000 by several thousand dollars. WRYM provides young men 16 - 24 years with a supportive home, individual counselling, and basic life skills. WRYM’s statistics show an average 95 percent success rate – but COVID-19 has seriously threatened funding for WRYM’s basic programs. For more information, visit www.wrym.ca -ends- Media liaison:
Dave Freeman, Donor Development Chair, WRYM – Tel 519.996.8170 - E-mail davefreeman676@gmail.com Brian Worrall, Pres., WRYM - Tel 226.280.7203 - E-mail jbrianworrall@gmail.com Two weeks left and we are 2/3 of the way there Join us for Virtual WALK, RUN or ROLL 4 WRYM 2020  Virtual WALK, RUN or ROLL 4 WRYM 2020, September 15 to October 15 - The Windsor Residence for Young Men’s (WRYM) Virtual WALK, RUN or ROLL 4 WRYM 2020 campaign has raised more than $19,000 in the first two weeks of the campaign. The money is vital to assisting formerly homeless youth with residential support programs and life skills coaching that empower them to build new lives. With two weeks to go to reach the campaign goal of $30,000, WRYM volunteers are encouraging citizens to organize or support popular fundraising activities. “We already have some great COVID-safe activities going on – and volunteers are doing a good job getting family, friends and colleagues to sponsor them,” says WRYM fundraiser Dave Freeman. “For example, we have a senior who is walking one kilometre every weekday. Another volunteer has pledged to walk and run 150 kilometres in four weeks, while a couple are walking and cycling a combined 300 kilometres in that time. Another volunteer is planning a marathon walk of 50 kilometres on Saturday, October 10th. Clearly, these are people who are strongly motivated to help formerly homeless youth. But the fundraising activity doesn’t have to be athletic – it can be an online activity, for example, such as singing a song and presenting it on social media. Or, you can sponsor these volunteers through our website www.wrym.ca”  People who are interested can find entry forms and more information at www.wrym.cawww.wrym.ca, and everyone is encouraged to Facebook their event photos @windsorresidenceforyoungmen! A $20 registration fee includes a t-shirt, water bottle and certificate of participation.
WRYM provides young men 16 - 24 years with a supportive home, individual counselling, and basic life skills. Young people with potential are diverted from the streets to reconnect with their community, education and employment. WRYM’s statistics show an average 95 percent success rate – but COVID-19 has seriously threatened funding for WRYM’s basic programs. -ends- Media liaison: Dave Freeman, Donor Development Chair, WRYM – Tel 519.996.8170 - E-mail davefreeman676@gmail.com Brian Worrall, Pres., WRYM - Tel 226.280.7203 - E-mail jbrianworrall@gmail.com Helping formerly homeless youth - join us for Virtual WALK, RUN or ROLL 4 WRYM 2020  The Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM) is inviting active citizens to join in a month of COVID-safe fitness events and fundraisers to help formerly homeless youth build new lives! On its website www.wrym.ca, WRYM is now recruiting Team Captains, participants, donors and sponsors to help organize and join events in Windsor-Essex for all ages and fitness levels between Tuesday, September 15 and Thursday, October 15, 2020. A $20 registration fee includes a t-shirt, water bottle and certificate of participation.
“How would you like to complete your fitness goal?”, asks WRYM fundraiser Dave Freeman. “Perhaps there is some fun activity you are already involved in that you and your family, friends or colleagues can turn into a fundraising event. We are suggesting you can walk, run, bike, wheelchair, rollerblade and so-on. What goal would you would like to reach? One kilometre, three, five or more? Or, perhaps it is some other activity? There are no limits!” People who are interested can find entry forms and more information at www.wrym.ca, and everyone is encouraged to Facebook their event photos @windsorresidenceforyoungmen! WRYM provides young men 16 - 24 years with a supportive home, individual counselling, and basic life skills. Young people with potential are diverted from the streets to reconnect with their community, education and employment. WRYM’s statistics show an average 95 percent success rate – but COVID-19 has seriously threatened funding for WRYM’s basic programs. “These programs depend entirely on the community,” says Freeman, “and I do believe that people want to help!”   TEAM CAPTAINS, PARTICIPANTS AND SPONSORS ARE INVITED! Are you and your family, friends or co-workers already a team?
$20 Registration Fee - by registering online, the participant agrees to the fee and Rules of Participation, including a waiver of legal liability - please read carefully: 1) You will complete and send all required documentation along with the registration funds of $20 prior to participation in the event. 2) You will sign up for the preferred way that you plan participate in the event. 3) You will pick the activity you are planning to complete prior to participation, but you may exceed your goal if you are willing and able to. 4) You confirm that you are in proper physical and emotional condition to participate in the activity you select. 5) You understand all inherent risks in participating and assume all risks for your personal safety. You understand that you can stop your participation at any time and will if requested to do so. 6) In consideration of acceptance to participate in this event, you hereby for yourself, your heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns waive any present claims, and claims to which you may become entitled, for injury or damage or other liability regardless of cause and release The Windsor Residence for Young Men, event sponsors and all their employees or volunteers assisting in this event from any claims for damages or injury suffered by you as a result of your participation in or travelling to or from your chosen activity. 7) You agree to send in your activity updates on a weekly basis. 8) You will turn in your final activity summary along with your sponsorship sheet and all funds collected by October 17, 2020. FOR MORE INFORMATION, EMAIL SUE AT WRYMEVENTS2020@GMAIL.COM Donate to support the event, or a participant, or a team If you can't take part, but would like to support this fundraiser, just choose the "donate" function at Virtual WALK, RUN or ROLL 4 WRYM 2020 CanadaHelps page (link) Event Sponsorships Virtual WALK, RUN or ROLL 4 WRYM 2020 is a great opportunity to support a good cause and reach out to the community. If you are interested, you can fill out a Sponsorship Form and contact Sue, as below. YOU CAN DO THIS OLD-SCHOOL! First of all, if you have any questions, email Sue at wrymevents2020@gmail.com. She will be glad to hear from you! And if you prefer Canada Post or delivering a cheque or forms to the door, our address is The Windsor Residence for Young Men, 1505 Langlois Avenue, Windsor, Ontario, Canada N8X 4M3. Necessary Forms - download fill-able PDF forms However you put your team together - and even if your team is just you alone, you will need to fill out some forms. Please note that everyone needs to sign a Release Form. For your convenience, there is also a form for potential sponsors. Same Here they are - fill-able PDFs. You can download, fill them in online, save and e-mail them to Sue at wrymevents2020@gmail.com Or - You can print them on paper and fill them in by pen. pencil or other old-school tool of your choice - and mail them.
Let's all have fun, get fit and raise some money to help formerly homeless youth build new lives! THANK YOU! WRYM has met its June COVID-19 funding target! The Windsor Residence for Young Men is supported by the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund and The WindsorEssex Community Foundation.
Like other local charities, the Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM) struggles to provide assistance to people in need during this COVID-19 pandemic – homeless youth cannot shelter in place without a place to shelter in!
We are pleased to announce that the WindsorEssex Community Foundation has approved our application to the federal Emergency Community Support Fund they administer in the amount of $16,296.69 for “isolation preparation” during COVID-19. That’s $11,680.75 to supplement the wages of staff isolating with residents, and $4,615.94 for “social distance” bedroom dividers and 10 tablet computers to allow residents to communicate with the world. Combined - the overall funds received by WRYM in June amount to $33, 895.09, and our goal was $30,000 - so, we are happy! This money is badly needed to shelter homeless youth and help them build new lives. We thank our community donors and the WindsorEssex Community Foundation for their concern, generosity and community leadership during this ongoing set of difficult challenges. As Lisa Kolody, its Executive Director, said to the Windsor Star in May, "In challenging times like these, it is more important than ever for the community to work together, and support one another." See our Your Help page for ways you, too, can help! #YQG #Windsor #CommunityEngagement #ECSFund  Windsor’s Country Cares Concert online will raise funds for homeless youth Windsor's own dynamic and community-minded country singer Kelsi Mayne and her fellow artists are working with Windsor's Country 95.9/92.7 radio to produce a @windsorscountry Facebook Live concert July 15 at 7:00 PM. The concert will raise funds so that the Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM) can, during COVID-19, continue to shelter homeless youth and help them build new lives as active citizens. “We are very grateful that this group of talented young performers is raising money to help homeless youth build new lives,” said WRYM President Brian Worrall. “I’m really looking forward to the show!” The Facebook online concert will be accessed through https://www.facebook.com/windsorscountry/ Listeners who wish to donate will be encouraged to visit http://www.wrym.ca The performers...  As a national bronze medalist over 60m hurdles for the Lancers, Windsor’s own, Kelsi Mayne continues to make her mark across the country. The former house-singer at downtown’s Bull & Barrel Urban Saloon, has now played Canada’s most celebrated stages including Boots and Hearts, Havelock Jamboree, Hometown Hockey, and Alberta’s Big Valley Jamboree— opening for Alan Jackson, FGL, Lindsay Ell, Jason Aldean and many more. Kelsi made headlines last year as a top 3 finalist in CCMA’s 2019 “Top of the Country” nation-wide contest and is currently nominated for CMAOntario’s “Rising Star” award. With the recent release of her debut album, “As I Go,” clips of the title track’s music video have garnered over 4M views on TikTok— making her the most popular Canadian country act on the platform.  Barrie, Ontario’s Kansas Stone is composed of Brian John Harwood and Matt Davey. Both members came together to create music with no boundaries, music that reflected real life, like love, music, summer and cold beer. Since their debut in 2015, the band has toured extensively across Canada and the US, playing festivals such as CMT Fest, Trackside, Havelock Jamboree, and many more. They’ve opened for acts such as Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Dallas Smith, and the list goes on! While hitting milestones on the road and building a dedicated audience, they’ve released a string of successful singles, leading them to their 2019 CMAO nomination. The Duo are hard at work and gearing up for a full length album.  Danielle Bourjeaurd is a Canadian country song writer and recording artist who has written with & Shared the Stage with many Canadians such as Tom Cochrane, Michelle Wright, Aaron Pritchett, David Boyd James, Meghan Patrick, Gord Bamford The good brothers & more. She was a finalist in the CCMA's 2017 Discovery Program and then 2018 was a huge year for her coming off her November "Indie Week triump in Canada (Best Emerging Artist and runner up Best Overall Artist from over 300 acts.) She finished the year with a guest spot on Gord Bamford's "Honky Tonks & Dive Bar" national tour. The did a duet "Bigger Glass" together as well. 2019 she is showing no signs of slowing down!  Singer/songwriter duo Mike Ure and Aidan Johnson-Bujold emerged from the small towns of Harrow and LaSalle, Ontario, in a very big way. In just a few short years, the band has earned incredible accolades and awards including; 2020 International Songwriter Competition Finalists, 2018 CCMA Spotlight Finalists, 2017 CMAO Rising Star Award Nominees, and Boots & Hearts Emerging Artist Finalists. Fans recognize Buck Twenty for their trademark sound, which is bursting with harmonies, catchy hooks, as well as the surplus of positive energy they have on stage.  Kalsey Kulyk has been singing country music since the age of 3 years old. The Saskatchewan native got her big break in 2017 at the Canadian Country Music awards when she won a record deal and publishing deal as well as the CCMA artist discovery award. Since then Kalsey released her debut album, released 4 music videos, all ending up on CMT and is set to release her next single in a few weeks called “Who I Was”.  London born Genevieve Fisher has earned 7 top 50 national country radio hits. Her recent releases, "Take It On Home" and "You Me We" climbed into Canada's top 20 and top 30 respectively. Genevieve has earned recognition within the Canadian Country Music scene by earning Female Artist of the Year nominations at the 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 Country Music Association of Ontario Music Awards. She has been recognized by the Canadian Country Music Association with her prestigious CCMA performance selection at the 2012 New Artist Showcase in Saskatoon. Her songwriting skills have also been acknowledged by the CCMA as witnessed by their selection to perform for prestigious Songwriters Series in 2016 and 2018. Her Indigenous background has allowed her to score 2 NUMBER 1 HITS on the North American Indigenous Top 40 broadcast internationally weekly.  “Sarnia, Ontario Native, Eric Ethridge has been steadily making a name for himself in the national and international country music scene with 4 top 40 billboard singles and over 35 million streams world wide. Eric was discovered by Anthem Entertainment in Nashville, TN after his viral hit song "If You Met Me First" spent 5 months in rotation on Sirius XM's the Highway tastemaker program "On The Horizon". He then signed a worldwide record deal with Anthem and moved to Nashville, to pursue his dream full time."  The Windsor Residence for Young Men ends homelessness for young men 16 – 24 years of age by providing a safe, nurturing home and counselling. WRYM has a 95% success rate, with one third of residents returning to extended family and two thirds going on to appropriate independent living. In addition, two thirds of residents continue education while one third find employment. WRYM’s Aftercare Program continues to assist former residents as they make their way in the community.
Until WRYM opened its doors in October 2012, Windsor/Essex had no transitional housing or life skills program for homeless male youth. Concerned citizens began working to raise community support and funding in the year 2000, but it would be another 12 years before WRYM was able to purchase and renovate a suitable residence. WRYM is an effective operation that continues to depend on community support to fulfill its mission. MEDIA RELEASE
Friday, June 5, 2020 WRYM's Together, We are Community Campaign supports active, caring citizenship The Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM) has launched a fundraising campaign called Together, We are Community, that promotes active, caring citizenship in Windsor and Essex County - both to assist vulnerable homeless youth and also to empower the young people themselves. The campaign runs from now until Canada Day, July 1. “Good citizenship is central to ending homelessness among our youth,” said Dave Freeman, a board member and WRYM’s donor development chair. “This is why our campaign culminates with Canada Day. WRYM assists young people with learning important life skills, accessing the resources and opportunities of our community, and becoming active empowered citizens. This is empowerment of the powerless and it works because of the support of conscientious citizens throughout our community. Together, we are community - and we all benefit as a community.” Windsor Residence for Young Men ends homelessness for young men 16 – 24 years of age by providing a safe, nurturing home and counselling. WRYM has a 95% success rate, with one third of residents returning to extended family and two thirds going on to appropriate independent living. In addition, two thirds of residents continue education while one third find employment. WRYM’s Aftercare Program continues to assist former residents as they make their way in the community. “In a crisis, we invite them back home to the residence - if that is what is needed,” said Freeman, adding, “Just as any good parent would.” Given the ongoing need for social distancing because of COVID-19, WRYM’s Together, We are Community Campaign is being conducted online in cooperation with the CanadaHelps Great Canadian Giving Challenge on the Windsor Residence for Young Men’s website at www.wrym.ca, as well as on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The fundraising target is $30,000, and the Great Canadian Giving Challenge offers charities a possible additional prize of $20,000. “Let’s support Canada Day as active, caring citizens,” said Freeman. Until WRYM opened its doors in October 2012, Windsor/Essex had no transitional housing or life skills program for homeless male youth. Concerned citizens began working to raise community support and funding in the year 2000, but it would be another 12 years before WRYM was able to purchase and renovate a suitable residence. WRYM is an effective operation that continues to depend on community support to fulfill its mission. -ends- Media contact: Brian Worrall, Chair. WRYM PR Committee 519.255.7930/226.280.7203 / jbrianworrall@gmail.com |
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