|
|
Get Back on the Horse Again Isn't "experience" just messing things up and learning from it? In Liam's case, he had tried to make it on his own, spread his wings, and live in a different city. Unfortunately, Liam learned quite quickly that he did not have the discipline and skill sets needed to survive on his own. When his landlord decided that an eviction was needed, Liam returned to Windsor-Essex, where he was raised and still had some supports. As a former foster child, Liam's family was not able to house him, and sadly, he had never been very good at making friends. With nowhere else to turn upon his return to Windsor but a homeless shelter and the street, Liam came to WRYM with the goal of learning where he went wrong and moving back to independent living. After some consideration of his mistakes the first time around, Liam utilized his personal relationships for assistance, while also building knowledge, life skills, and reflection at WRYM. In less than a month, Liam decided he was ready to "get back on the horse" and live on his own. Due to his incredible motivation, a skilled and supportive team here at WRYM, and a bit of luck, Liam was housed in less than a week after he started looking. Residents like Liam always remind us at WRYM how a young person's journey is not "linear". For youth, the "ups" often come with the "downs". When they do, WRYM will be here to help them put one foot in front of the other, moving forward again.  Because of you, and the entire WRYM support base, we are proud to keep lifting youth like Liam back up. No one deserves to “fall off the horse”, without a hand up and back on.  Special Thanks We managed to raise $1,885 through “$10 from 10 for WRYM” and St. Clair College students added another $575 with their “Spread Smiles” campaign. So … while it appears that this type of fundraising did not appeal to most of our supporters, for which we apologize, it all helps to reduce the amount needed to renovate our main bathroom to $10,196 now. As well, Plasman donated three 58" smart televisions, two for our recreation room and one for our classroom, and a recreation room table and chairs. Vital Signs Vital Signs® is a community report that combines national, provincial, and local data with residents’ views on important local issues. It is based on your survey responses which provide Windsor-Essex residents the opportunity to comment on the quality of life in our region. It is intended for use as a resource to initiate conversation between community members, leaders, and organizations in Windsor-Essex and to inspire change in our community. The 2022 Vital Signs® survey is open now through August 12th, 2022. Click here to complete!  Wanna Golf? Registration is now open for WRYM’s 3rd Annual Golf Tournament. Interested golfers, sponsors and volunteers should click here to learn more!
0 Comments
A Growing Brotherhood We all want to belong. Loneliness and isolation can deteriorate one’s self worth and sense of purpose like a leech on the soul. For Taylor and Austin, isolation had become a lifestyle. Taylor grew up in an abusive home, where he and his siblings were physically assaulted from a young age. Austin was also a survivor of abuse who became homeless after the police needed to be called during a particularly escalated event. Taylor and Austin both came to WRYM feeling very alone. Neither had a family member they could live with or an idea what to do about being homeless. After coming to WRYM, they “began to belong.” Taylor focused on his academics, and Austin got a job. Taylor connected with a mental health professional, an optometrist, and a social worker; Austin connected with an employment counselor, a financial trustee, and a doctor. Both learned a ton of life skills and set some wonderful goals for themselves. When the time came to look at moving out, costs and practicality led both youth to decide they needed a roommate situation. Very recently, Taylor and Austin moved into their shared unit!!! When they realized they needed a roommate, they decided to look to each other. At WRYM, we believe you choose your “family.” For many, the WRYM Brotherhood offers family to youth who would otherwise be by themselves. Because of the WRYM family, not only are both Austin and Taylor “off the street,” they are no longer alone. For us, this is a great success.  $10 from 10 for WRYM on our 10th Here’s the deal You ask 10 of your friends to donate $10 for the benefit of “our guys” at The Windsor Residence for Young Men. If a charitable donation receipt is desired, click on the DONATE button below. You and 10 of your friends can raise $110 to help end homelessness for youth. BUT, if your 10 friends do the same with 10 of their friends, another $1,000 is raised; and, if their friends each do likewise, another $10,000 will be raised, and so on, multiplying by 10 each time. The important part is that everyone takes the time to forward this request to 10 of their friends. If you simply donate $100 instead, the opportunity for $1,000 and then 10 times more will be lost. It is easy to simply forward our email, with our program flyer attached, to your friends; and, hopefully, each of them will do the same 10 more times. After almost 10 years, we need to raise $12,656 to refurbish our well used main bathroom; but, think about it: $10 x 10 x 10 x 10 x 10 … with only $10 and friends. I should also mention it is our 10th Anniversary this year, too!  Golfers - Save the Date 
WRYM’s 3rd Annual Golf Tournament will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2022 at Rochester Place Golf Club, 981 County Rd. 2, Belle River. Tee times will begin at 12:00PM. More details will be available soon. Please contact Sue at golftournament@wrym.ca for more information. There is no Magic to our Program, just Common Sense, once the Problem is Understood For those of you that found interesting the article on Housing First for Youth, HF4Y, and why such a program must differ from a one size fits all approach such as Housing First, which was essentially designed for chronically homeless adults, I have attached “Pathways into Youth Homelessness” (click below). The many ways and reasons why youth find themselves homeless are explained in this new article, which gives greater insight into the “hows & whys” by which our program has proved itself so successful.  Jerome Falling down is a part of life. Staying down is a state of mind. For Jerome, there was not much further to fall. Jerome was unemployed, creditors were coming after him for unpaid debts, alcohol use was becoming more common, and his family had given up trying to help. So, Jerome had nowhere to live and no one to guide him. Rather than just live on the street or go to an emergency shelter, Jerome decided to contact WRYM to see if he could get help. WRYM offered Jerome structure in his daily routines, positive role models in his corner, important personal goals to work on; and, eventually, Jerome decided not to give up. Soon after, Jerome was employed full time, focused upon how he could get back on his feet; and, saving to live on his own. 6 weeks later, Jerome moved into an apartment leaving homelessness behind. We were sad to see him go, but cannot overstate how excited we were as well. For us, seeing Jerome turn his entire life around in less than two months was inspiring for our whole team. We never gave up on Jerome, and now, he won't give up on himself, especially with our Aftercare continuing to back him up. The next "Jerome" needs your help too This March only, Make It Monthly with an extra $20 from CanadaHelps! This March, CanadaHelps is raising the bar on giving by helping your donation go further. When you set up a new monthly donation of $20 or more, CanadaHelps will make an additional $20 one-time donation as well to the Windsor Residence for Young Men. With a monthly donation, you can make a difference year-round. We can plan ahead and spend more time focusing on our mission, instead of worrying about fundraising. Plus, it can be easier on your budget, too. Don’t miss your chance to make a bigger impact!  Stay safe and please share this with your friends. -Greg 
The Deacon Ray Scholarship Recipient! In 2021, a memorial scholarship fund was created for WRYM in honour of the late Deacon Ray, who was a long time advocate and supporter of vulnerable people here in Windsor. Due to the remarkable support that this fund received, we are pleased to announce that $1,000.00 has been provided to a former WRYM resident, to assist them with their post-secondary education expenses, due to their exemplary academic commitment and volunteer work in their community.  “John”, (name changed to protect privacy), came to WRYM after irreparable issues with his parents left him without a place to live. Although he faced a lot of uncertainty with the COVID 19 pandemic and his housing situation, he never lost sight of his priorities. We would often have to counsel John to put the books down, the calculator away, and go have fun! John would always explain how math was in fact fun and why he believed it explained the universe, (which none of us could understand!). Due to John’s hard work and his ability to follow our Transitional Housing Program’s fundamentals, he was able to transition from WRYM back into post-secondary school, where he continues to excel today. We are so grateful to be able to provide John with this $1,000.00 grant, and hope this tribute to Deacon Ray brings joy to his friends and loved ones. Rough Night Out 2022! Get ready!!! The Windsor Residence for Young Men's 6th annual Rough Night Out will begin on Friday, February 18th at 6pm and continue until 7am Saturday morning! Do you have what it takes to make it all night? Participants will be "sleeping rough," as homeless youth may be forced to do, in order to raise awareness and funds to support WRYM as we help end homelessness for youth. Due to COVID 19 risks and restrictions, this event will occur virtually, and participants will sleep rough in locations of their choosing based on adherence with public health restrictions.  Those interested in participating in this campaign can click here and "create a fundraiser," or visit our website at www.wrym.ca. You can also sponsor one of our “rough night champions,” by selecting a team listed on the link provided. Questions? Please contact executivedirector@wrym.ca Interestingly, this fundraising event corresponds with the recently announced Ontario Nonprofit Sector Week of Appreciation which will now take place the third week of February each year. The first Appreciation Week takes place from February 14-20, 2022. The week is intended to recognize the exceptional people in the nonprofit sector whose work transforms the lives of individuals, families, and communities. A Special Thank You  Again we would like to express our appreciation to the employees of the Home Depot and their customers at Division Rd near Walker, here in Windsor. We have just learned that their Orange Door campaign efforts and generosity raised an additional $13,486 during our Season of Giving. Stay safe and please share this with your friends.
-Greg Vindication Despite initial opposition, WRYM’s program was a decade ahead of its time. The original Housing First model is now acknowledged not to have been one size fitting all and would have inappropriately placed our guys, homeless youth, at an adult shelter, like the Downtown Mission, (but not so for our at risk female youth for which there were 3 specialized places of refuge). I highly recommend you spend a few minutes reading the attached article from the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness, also known as The Homeless Hub, at York University. (You might even notice that the schematic explanations used in the article look an awful lot like the ones we devised years ago and still use today).  Some Thoughts on Holiday Gifts With regard to your requests for items that “our guys” may need, might I offer a few thoughts. First, each guy’s needs are truly meaningful, are unique; and, our counselors know them best. Second, many kind and generous folks make similar requests each year with the result that, in addition to duplication, the guys invariably end up with more “stuff” than they have ever received, (more than my own ever did and they lacked for little). Most often this results in the really unintended negative result that after leaving us they look back and they realize that their best Holiday Season, things wise, was at WRYM, resulting in them questioning the progress they have made, for themselves and their own children.
organized by a person like you. Our staff then does the shopping that meets the individual needs of the guys, even if it’s as simple as the right size. Donations can also be made in the name of a friend or loved one. In fact, “tribute giving”, as it is called, is a very simple and popular option during the Season. WRYM's annual program budget is almost $400,000. With an average of 40 residents assisted each year, the annual cost per resident is about $10,000. AND, some of our donors, individually or in groups, have taken on the responsibility of sponsoring one or even more of “our guys” each year. Give a homeless youth breakfast, lunch, and supper for 1 day - $5.00 Give a homeless youth a 2-hour life-skill counselling and training session - $20.00 Give a homeless youth 1 day of housing, emotional support, food, and life-skill teaching - $100.00  And from Tuesday November 30 to Sunday December 19, customers of The Home Depot at Walker and Divisions roads in Windsor (store #7228) will be asked by Home Depot employees if they wish to take part in The Orange Door Project. With a $2 donation at the cashier or online, customers can help WRYM and formerly homeless youth as they empower themselves as full citizens. All funds raised at that store, and sponsor funds, will benefit residents of the Windsor Residence for Young Men. Stay safe and please share this with your friends. Greg November 30th, is Giving Tuesday, the start of WRYM’s Seasonal Giving Campaign AND An Anonymous Donor has pledged up to $10,000 to Match your total Donations !!!
WRYM's Deacon Ray Scholarship
Is WRYM the Missing Link? Below is a very interesting Maclean's article that explores outcomes of Foster Care youth, and young persons who have been "in the system." https://www.macleans.ca/society/life-after-foster-care-in-canada/ Within this article, former Children's Aid Wards discuss their entry/exit from the Child Welfare system and explain some of the challenges they experienced. It is explained how these young people are forced to "age out" at 18 without the life skills and connections they need to be successful, leading to many hardships and poor outcomes. At WRYM we run a "functional family atmosphere," and we believe you don't "age out" of family. This is why our Aftercare program is available to any of the 372 youth who have been at WRYM since we opened our doors. Through Aftercare, we provide thousands of different supports to past-residents in their efforts to forge their own paths. WRYM's residential program goes up until the age of 24, to ensure young people have reached the maturity they need to be successful living independently, and our focus for the Transitional Housing Program is primarily on life-skills, to teach young people how to care for themselves when they leave. The idea is simple - make young people feel like they belong, teach them how to thrive, and support them on their journey. Although simple, it is effective. Attached is our statistics for 2020, to help demonstrate how our approach leads to positive outcomes.  Our mission statement says it best: We help young men to overcome homelessness and build new lives. Stay safe and please share this with your friends.
Greg From Dropping Out, to Moving In |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Time is not the Essence There comes a moment in time when a situation gets tense, and we each think "I need a break." All of us can conceptualize the need to escape from a stressful situation. BUT, what happens when there is nowhere for a young person to go? What if the only place they know is where the tension exists? How long before things become unmanageable? |  |
For Steven, tensions in the household were rising and he had no friends or family in the city where he could go to get some support or reprieve. Despite the caring and loving parents in his life, there were escalating disagreements about his future. Steven wanted to work, and his parents wanted him to continue college. A simple disagreement, but one both parties felt passionately about. After an argument escalated into an unhealthy situation, Steven did not feel safe continuing to live at home and he came to WRYM for help. Very quickly, our staff were able to support Steven emotionally and provide him with the reprieve he needed regarding the disagreements at home. Steven's parents spoke with staff about their desire to end the disagreements and have Steven return home as soon as possible. Staff assured Steven's parents that WRYM would counsel him to return home when he felt it was safe to do so, and that a break from the home may be all that is required for emotions to settle.
In less than 24 hours, WRYM staff were proven correct when Steven's parents picked him up to return home.
The entire family appeared relieved about this decision. Had WRYM not been there to provide the reprieve Steven and his family needed, where would he have gone? Would he ever have made it home again when he decided he could not take it anymore?
Due to one short day at WRYM, we will never need to know what could have happened. What we do know, is that Steven is home and safe now. And Our Supporters helped make this possible!
Without you, we could not have made this happen for Steven. Thank you for being a supporter of WRYM. Please consider becoming a monthly investor by signing up for automatic donations each month, as found on our Canada Helps page!
In less than 24 hours, WRYM staff were proven correct when Steven's parents picked him up to return home.
The entire family appeared relieved about this decision. Had WRYM not been there to provide the reprieve Steven and his family needed, where would he have gone? Would he ever have made it home again when he decided he could not take it anymore?
Due to one short day at WRYM, we will never need to know what could have happened. What we do know, is that Steven is home and safe now. And Our Supporters helped make this possible!
Without you, we could not have made this happen for Steven. Thank you for being a supporter of WRYM. Please consider becoming a monthly investor by signing up for automatic donations each month, as found on our Canada Helps page!
The Windsor Residence for Young Men needs long-term partners to help youth who are experiencing homelessness. On average it takes almost $400,000 per year to make sure that youth in Windsor-Essex receive the housing, supervision, food, clothing, case management, support, compassion, life-skills and the aftercare they require to end homelessness once and for all - even during this challenging COVID 19 era, when youth have less options than ever before. Remember, youth are not “discharged” from functional families, through our Aftercare services concern, care and advice continues to be provided and expands as WRYM’s “family” grows.
How much is a young person's life worth?
What WRYM does now will also significantly benefit our community now and in the future, with the productive citizens “our guys” become. Please consider being a long term partner and sign up to make monthly investments in our community through our automated system in order to help a youth in Windsor find a place to call home again.
What WRYM does now will also significantly benefit our community now and in the future, with the productive citizens “our guys” become. Please consider being a long term partner and sign up to make monthly investments in our community through our automated system in order to help a youth in Windsor find a place to call home again.
Thank You Landscape Ontario, Windsor Chapter!
| The Board of Landscape Ontario, Windsor Chapter, held a golf fundraiser for their members with all entry fees and donations directed to the Windsor Residence for Young Men. We would like to express our appreciation to them and their tournament sponsor, Landscape Effects, for making this significant donation possible. |  |
Thanking Jason Weinberg
| Finally, I would like to thank Jason Weinberg, our new Executive Director, for providing you with the stories about “our guys” as well as making them possible. If you would like Jason to speak to a small group by attending in person or by Zoom, it can be arranged. There are many more stories, program details, data and statistics at his fingertips. |  |
For instance, did you know that our Youth Independence Program, which he devised, is now being adopted by other agencies across Ontario?
Stay safe and please share this with your friends.
Greg
 | Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.), Editor |
You CAN go home again
Brian's parents had just got divorced. In the midst of the family changes and chaos, Brian felt left behind, angry, and an increasing sense of despair. Conflict in the home escalated to the point that Brian did not think he could take it anymore, and his mental health deteriorated to where he was considering taking his own life. Brian contacted the Children's Aid for help, and due to his age and their eligibility restrictions, he was referred to WRYM for help. Brian came into WRYM as a scared young man who did not see a future for himself. Issues with family, mental health, substance use, physical health, and with a manifested lack of life-skills, Brian explained to us that he felt a sense of worthlessness.
Over 8 months at WRYM, Brian learned how wrong he was, and how much worth he truly possessed. Brian graduated the Youth Independence Program at WRYM and received a high school credit, he enrolled back in school, gained employment, participated in counseling, acquired eye glasses, and learned a tremendous amount of life skills and personal resilience. Although Brian improved in his well-being and stability, he felt that he would still prefer to live with family and be there for his siblings. Once his mother was settled in their new home and a reunification plan was established, Brian was able to move in with his mother and his siblings, and he is still there today!
We are so happy to tell you about Brian's success, but we have to ask, what is one life worth? How much does 8 months of youth homelessness cost this community? What would happen if Brian wasn't at WRYM? Well, what we do know is that for $12,390, Brian received 24/7 lodging, professional support, case management, life skill teaching, housing assistance, and Aftercare support that resulted in an end to his homelessness. What would 8 months in an emergency shelter, hospital, jail, or treatment center cost us? What would it cost him?
In light of those questions, THANK YOU to our champions for investing in the youth of Windsor-Essex and their futures. Ending youth homelessness is achievable, one young person at a time. We can do this TOGETHER.
Brian's parents had just got divorced. In the midst of the family changes and chaos, Brian felt left behind, angry, and an increasing sense of despair. Conflict in the home escalated to the point that Brian did not think he could take it anymore, and his mental health deteriorated to where he was considering taking his own life. Brian contacted the Children's Aid for help, and due to his age and their eligibility restrictions, he was referred to WRYM for help. Brian came into WRYM as a scared young man who did not see a future for himself. Issues with family, mental health, substance use, physical health, and with a manifested lack of life-skills, Brian explained to us that he felt a sense of worthlessness.
Over 8 months at WRYM, Brian learned how wrong he was, and how much worth he truly possessed. Brian graduated the Youth Independence Program at WRYM and received a high school credit, he enrolled back in school, gained employment, participated in counseling, acquired eye glasses, and learned a tremendous amount of life skills and personal resilience. Although Brian improved in his well-being and stability, he felt that he would still prefer to live with family and be there for his siblings. Once his mother was settled in their new home and a reunification plan was established, Brian was able to move in with his mother and his siblings, and he is still there today!
We are so happy to tell you about Brian's success, but we have to ask, what is one life worth? How much does 8 months of youth homelessness cost this community? What would happen if Brian wasn't at WRYM? Well, what we do know is that for $12,390, Brian received 24/7 lodging, professional support, case management, life skill teaching, housing assistance, and Aftercare support that resulted in an end to his homelessness. What would 8 months in an emergency shelter, hospital, jail, or treatment center cost us? What would it cost him?
In light of those questions, THANK YOU to our champions for investing in the youth of Windsor-Essex and their futures. Ending youth homelessness is achievable, one young person at a time. We can do this TOGETHER.
| Thank you home depot !!! The employees of home depot store 7228 at Walker & Division in Windsor are celebrating the success of their in-store #orangedoorproject fundraising campaign. From July 6 to August 1. They helped raise $9,314.00 to assist residents of the Windsor Residence for Young Men (#wrym). This is the largest amount raised in a friendly competition among the 9 The Home Depot Canada stores in southwestern Ontario. |  |
On behalf of the residents, volunteers and staff of WRYM, we sincerely thank them for their cheerful and energetic dedication to “our guys”.
Four days left to register to golf in
WRYM’s 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament
WRYM’s 2nd Annual Charity Golf Tournament
| - Location: Rochester Place Golf Club - Date: Sunday, September 12 - Scramble format - Tee times starting at 1:00pm - 12 available spots for golfers |  |
Register as an individual golfer or put together a few family members, friends or co workers. REGISTER ONLINE HERE or contact Sue at events@wrym.ca.
Don’t want to golf! No problem!
Come out and join us for dinner at the Rochester Club Parkside Grille. REGISTER ONLINE HERE or contact Sue at events@wrym.ca.
Prizes are still needed for our prize table! If you can help us out by donating a prize, please contact Sue at events@wrym.ca.
Stay safe and please share this with your friends!
Greg
Don’t want to golf! No problem!
Come out and join us for dinner at the Rochester Club Parkside Grille. REGISTER ONLINE HERE or contact Sue at events@wrym.ca.
Prizes are still needed for our prize table! If you can help us out by donating a prize, please contact Sue at events@wrym.ca.
Stay safe and please share this with your friends!
Greg
Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.), Founder
The Windsor Residence for Young Men
The Windsor Residence for Young Men
Alone and At-Risk
| All of the youth who have come to The Windsor Residence for Young Men are unique in! We see many different personality types, passions, and viewpoints from residents in all shapes and sizes. |  |
No two youths are alike! Despite this, there are two consistencies which are shared by almost all of our clients. They all feel alone, and they are all very much at-risk of harm.
Recently, one young man best exemplified this. Trevor came to WRYM after his mother and step-father kicked him out of the house due to frequent disagreements. After he was asked to leave, Trevor's parents informed him they were moving out of the city, and that Trevor could not come with them. Trevor entered WRYM without a high school diploma and not attending school, while suffering from a wide range of mental health and behavioral issues, as well as having no idea where he could live or what he should do. Additionally, Trevor possessed a developmental disability, which limited his capacity to resolve these issues without support.
Step by step, WRYM staff helped Trevor get his life in order. Trevor enrolled in school through our Youth Independence Program, and received a high school credit for graduating! After the Youth Independence Program, Trevor decided to remain in school and even took on additional courses to try and finish his diploma faster. Trevor acquired a family doctor so he could address his medications and physical health, as well as a Trustee to assist with his budgeting and financial planning. Each day, Trevor worked on his self-improvement and attempted to determine a plan for himself which would be safe and sustainable. With assistance from staff after many long talks, Trevor decided to move in with a friend and his friend’s family. Although this meant he was leaving the city, Trevor was ecstatic to be living with someone he considered to be closer than his own family. Sadly, Trevor was not the first, nor will he be the last, resident who has to learn that our birth family does not have to be our real family.
| Please Participate in WRYM’s 2nd Annual Golf Tournament On Sunday, September 12, 2021 at Rochester Place Golf Club. Tee times are starting at 1:00PM. Gold Sponsorship, Silver Sponsorship and 3 Hole Sponsorships, as well as golfer and dinner guest reservations are still available. Prize Donations are also needed! |  |
If you would like to contribute to our golf tournament prize table, please send an email to Sue at events@wrym.ca.
Visit our tournament page for more details.
Visit our tournament page for more details.
Stay safe and please share this with your friends.
Greg
Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.), Founder
The Windsor Residence for Young Men
Greg
Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.), Founder
The Windsor Residence for Young Men
