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The COVID Challenge –A No Panic Pandemic! COVID-19 has changed much of normal life for all of us over the past three months - but, the Windsor Residence for Young Men has never considered itself "normal." While “sheltering in place”, we have continued to assist our guys throughout the pandemic with significant success. Nine homeless male youth have participated in our Transitional Housing Program alone, and six have been housed! Although "normal" schools are closed, classes around here continue! All of our residents have been participating in our Youth Independence Program to earn a high school credit, and many are nearing graduation. Finding employment is challenging in many ways during these times; but, two of our guys were able to find jobs; and, one has been working hard to keep his job in the midst of the chaos we are all experiencing.
The best protection against COVID-19 is a home In this blog, Built for Zero Canada Improvement Advisor Amanda DiFalco urges communities to use this crisis to accelerate efforts to end homelessness. She says, "As communities rush to protect homeless people from a global pandemic, they are putting in place critical emergency responses. Shelters and hotels can provide a measure of short-term protection, but they are all at best a stop-gap measure. People experiencing homelessness are at dramatically elevated risk from COVID-19 because they have no home to stay in. In this blog, Amanda DiFalco urges communities to use this crisis to accelerate efforts to end homelessness.
Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.) Executive Director, (pro bono)
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Desperate for Funding The Windsor Residence for Young Men is desperate for funding to shelter our guys while helping new ones to enter our programs. I can confidently say that we have not received even our modest fair share of federal and provincial emergency funding administered by the City of Windsor; because, we have simply received none. Additionally, while the federal 30% initiative sounds great, WRYM is "only" down 27.42% in revenue from March, 2019; so, WRYM does not qualify while being a front line essential service that cannot have staff working from anywhere other than our residence, which is "our guys' home". I realize that we are a small agency that only gets 40+ youth off the street each year; but, think of the long term impact we have on chronic homelessness. It's hard to think long term in crisis situations; but, we and our youth must have a future to focus on, to benefit our community now and after this crisis is over. For a good read on the economics of charities when a community is in crisis, try this: Raymond J. de Souza on COVID-19: Charities are facing a crunch, and government help is far from certain Please donate through Canada Helps With banking and the mail slowing down due to precautions, sickness and related absences due to family needs, donate to WRYM online through Canada Helps, which makes weekly transfers to WRYM, (Our Board has decided not to use PayPal.)
Stay safe - we need you, each in your own way!
Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.) Executive Director, (pro bono) No one can “shelter in place” if they have no place to shelter in!
We are "sheltering in place" at WRYM having curtailed our off-site activities. Our core in-house programs are still operational; and, we are still accepting applications for admission. WRYM is honoured by Celebrations of Life We would like to extend our condolences to the family and friends of Wayne French who celebrated his life and honoured his memory by directing memorial donations to WRYM. These donations paid for most of our initial COVID-19 supplies when donations in kind fell short. We also honour the memory of Wayne Sweet and others, whose family and friends similarly assisted “our guys” in the past. New Do's & Don'ts for Donations Due to Coronavirus/COVID-19 Please do not donate used clothing or other used household goods; and, definitely not luggage or any other items associated with travel. This disease is spread by travel and on items as well as by people. Please do consider monetary donations. We must staff our residence to supervise our guys. See button below. We need canned and dried foods like pastas that have not expired. Please call first about fresh foods as we have limited storage. The following list of items are golden to prepare for a house potentially full of sick guys:
Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.) Executive Director, (pro bono), WRYM’s Programs are Successful  As our 2019 statistics show, WRYM’s programs – especially our supportive Transitional Housing Program - are effectively reducing homelessness among youth in our community at minimal cost. We have a 95% success rate over the past three years. I believe one of the most important reasons for our success is that we do not duplicate or administrate support services that are already available in our community. Rather, we teach our guys how to access such needed services and interact with our community in productive ways, fostering their independence and the development of their own responsible citizenship. In addition, all our administrative tasks are done by volunteers. We depend mostly on community donations; and, fiscal responsibility is a big priority.
The Kid Next Door Program is Suspended Balancing funding, program costs and volunteer administrative labour is a constant challenge, and we strive to make the wisest use of resources. We are sad to say that, until we receive more funding, we must suspend the Kid Next Door program. This particular program has provided our guys with opportunities to do paid home maintenance tasks and yard work, primarily for senior citizens who have been very appreciative of the services. Our young men have also learned the value of a work ethic and enterprise through this program. While our “customers” paid our guys directly, WRYM has provided customer liaison, job assessments and estimates, supervision and transportation at a value of about $20 per hour for the supervisor’s wages, mandatory employment related costs and mileage. This would result in a minimum $60 cost for even a one-hour job, calculating an hour of the supervisor’s time before our guys arrive “on site” and an hour after they leave. Overall, the annual cost to WRYM would have been about $14,000 if much of this cost had not been absorbed by a volunteer supervisor, allowing the program to carry on. However, this volunteer is no longer able to provide this service and so the program must be suspended. I have applied for about $7,600 from the Canada Summer Jobs program to cover some costs this coming June, July and August but, even if we are successful as in the past, I expect to receive about half of the requested amount. Please do see the attachment explaining the impact the Kid Next Door program has had in the community. A Volunteer Painter is Needed  My role as volunteer Executive Director has included a jack-of-all trades approach, and I took some pride in my skills as house painter – but no more, as I now have difficulty holding a paint brush. So, we need a volunteer with suitable skills to paint WRYM’s dining room, main hallway and lower stairway. All materials will be provided, and “assistants” if desired. If you can help, please do contact me to maintain our volunteer community tradition as an example to our guys. Thanks in advance!
Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.), Executive Director, (pro bono), The Windsor Residence for Young Men Nobody Can Add but Everyone Cares! The January 2020 Urgent Funding Appeal At this time, $19,300 has been donated by our citizens to “MATCH” a past resident’s $13,000. The sub-story is the community's affirmation of his actions. Usually, homeless young men have been rejected in one way or another by their family, community or society as a whole, causing tremendous self-doubt. Our mission is to help our guys "find the pride in themselves and the confidence in their future necessary to seize the rewards of a productive life which contributes to our community". It took a great deal of confidence in his future to take this large amount of money from his savings and contribute to WRYM. He can now feel confident that what he was doing was "the right thing to do". Donations of well over $19,000 to "match" his $13,000 says our community was impressed and will do much to affirm the "pride" he may now feel. Sleeping Rough is not camping out. It’s surviving the night!  Click on WRYM's Rough Night Out to find out more!
Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.) Executive Director, (pro bono) In their own words  As you may have learned from various forms of media, a very quiet and modest past resident, requesting anonymity, brought in a bank draft for $13,000 from his personal savings after learning of WRYM’s present financial circumstances. See the news release! This is a tremendous amount for a person of his age having overcome the challenges he faced. While this is remarkable and I did not think something like this would happen for years to come, it is our purpose stated in our mission statement. This was done by a “productive citizen” who understands social responsibility. Rest assured that what we do at WRYM is effective and appreciated. His actions have always been the expected optimum result of our program - but, for me to explain it is complex.  I will try to explain here - and add some recent quotes from “our guys”: We teach social responsibility, not entitlement, as part of our program – giving is part of getting if you are to have a good life. That’s hard to instill in youth who truly feel they are worthless, ashamed of being on the “welfare rolls”, terrified that they have nowhere to go that is absent abuse or degradation in some form, and who perceive themselves as helpless. We give them confidence by instilling pride in their self-worth. We emphasize all they have to offer, not in monetary wealth, but within themselves, be it by helping others in need, each other, or around the residence itself, volunteering at other agencies and successfully seeking employment and/or education, with our guidance. This develops self-respect and confidence in their ability to take care of themselves with the help of others, which will come forth if they learn to respect others and value the strengths in those differences that others provide which they, like all of us, may be lacking. We try to instill confidence to assess and to trust again, to accept reality and to deal with it constructively. It’s a complicated and unique path for each one; but, they must keep moving forward, even if hesitantly, confidently focusing on the future, not the past. In their own words - residents' quotes from 2019
"My experience at Windsor Residence for Young Men was very productive and beneficial. I was able to overcome issues and challenges I went through, in a short period of time, thanks to the phenomenal team." "Staff were willing to support and help with anything, even if I did not know I needed the support". "All of the staff have been super helpful in everything I needed, and I met some of my best friends here." "I wouldn't be where I am without WRYM. I would've made it, just not as fast." "Okay so, my experience was pretty good. I was helped through all of my legal issues, so that was great. Also, I enjoyed that I was able to move over to the apartment. This was great because it helped me work on my independence. All in all, good experience :) " "When I first joined WRYM, it was a much more hectic experience. The rules were strict, and the amount of work was overwhelming, but as it went on, it finally got more smooth. The last few months have been some of the most productive in the last couple of years." "I really liked how this program was focused, but felt like it was a family. I felt that I knew the staff really cared about my well-being. I felt at home here." "Overall - really positive. Helped me overcome mental and addiction obstacles" "My experience was simply professional. All concerns were addressed appropriately, values were accepted, and basic needs were met. I was given support to continue hobbies and beliefs, as well as overall support to my well-being." "My experience at WRYM was good, even though my stupidity is what led to my discharge. I like how the staff treated the residents equally and supported them every step of the way. If I had anyone in the same situation I was in, I would recommend them here." And, for the record, we learn from them, too - everyday! Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.) Executive Director, (pro bono), WRYM's Annual Statistics for 2019 - Success! In the year 2019, Windsor Residence for Young Men had a 94% rate! Here are the statistics:  The Windsor Residence for Young Men assists youths as they leave homelessness behind to build new lives!
Thank You! The Windsor Residence for Young Men extends its appreciation to The Caboto Club and Mr. Stefano Riolo for donating approximately $5,000 from the proceeds of the 2019 Italian of the Year Gala.  L-R: Greg Goulin, WRYM Executive Director (pro bono); Stefano (Steve) Riolo, 2019 Italian of the Year; and Gino Piazza, Caboto Club President. Assessment, Support and “Navigation” = Success! Carl came to WRYM without much hope in his life. He had left his home where his mother’s mental health issues were the cause of a lot of abuse, conflict, and anger. Carl tried to live back and forth between friends; but, he quickly realized he would not be able to pull himself out of homelessness without more support and structure in his life. With tears and his bag on his back, Carl came to WRYM for assistance.  After completing our assessment process and some counseling from staff, we were able to rapidly respond to Carl’s needs by connecting him with specialized community supports, while providing housing, life-skills, and case management oversight. Primary medical care was received from Windsor-Essex Community Health Center; financial guidance and counselling provided by Family Services; dental assistance acquired from a dentist in private practice; mental health support from the Transitional Stability Center; and, a wide range of housing collaboration between ACCESS County Services, Housing Information Services, the City of Windsor, the Ontario Disability Support Program, and the Housing Stability Plan. With community support behind him, Carl moved on to independent living with his head held high and very little possibility of a return to homelessness. We are ecstatic with Carl’s success; and, we believe his situation truly exemplifies the collaborative approach we take at the Windsor Residence for Young Men. Because we do not duplicate services, we are very good at helping “our guys” navigate the complexities of the phenomenal assistance available to them in our community. Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.) Executive Director, (pro bono), The Windsor Residence for Young Men @WECFoundation 2019 Vital Signs Report is here!  The seventh report published by the Foundation on the Windsor-Essex Region. The Vital Signs Report combines national, provincial, and local data with residents’ views of important issues. The Vital Signs Report is used as an educational resource to engage the Windsor-Essex community in ongoing dialogue so we can make our community an even better place to live, work, play and grow. Read the report to find out what makes Windsor-Essex a great play and let’s start a conversation!
The Giovanni Caboto Club The Giovanni Caboto Club has chosen WRYM to be one of two charities to benefit from the 2019 Italian of the Year Gala, honouring Stefano (Steve) Riolo, on Friday, 25 October, 2019. The Windsor Feminist Theatre and The Windsor Residence for Young Men will share in the proceeds from the Italian of the Year Gala. The Giovanni Caboto Club advises that it is proud to support our two organizations. Please join WRYM and the Giovanni Caboto Club, the Italian Women’s Club, the Italian Community and the Community of Windsor and Essex County as they honour Stefano (Steve) Riolo, 2019 Italian of the Year. Please reply to me directly for tickets, $95 each, if you wish to join our President Sue Freeman and Dave, our Program Director Jason Weinberg and Victoria, or Bonnie and me, at the WRYM table(s). Community Awards Presented at the WRYM Charity Golf Tournament WRYM depends on community support in our daily operations, and this support often takes the form of in-kind goods and services. In addition to thanking our many good friends and event sponsors, the WRYM Charity Golf Tournament was also a great opportunity to recognize two outstanding supporters with our community awards.  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. (Photo - WRYM Board Member Dave Freeman (L) and Executive Director Greg Goulin (R) present Tom Marshall with the award.) 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.  WRYM’s Heart & Soul Award is for exceptional individual volunteer effort above and beyond reasonable expectations. (Photo - WRYM Board Member Dave Freeman (L) and Executive Director Greg Goulin (R) present Joel Thibodeau wih the award.) 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. Often, he referred his own customers to Kids Next Door, and would never take any payment for his efforts or costs incurred. Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.)
Executive Director, (pro bono), |
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