​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.

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. 

WRYM is pleased to announce that one of "our guys'' (like Riley!) will receive The Deacon Ray Scholarship in January of 2022. Thanks to Edy Haddad, who initiated this scholarship and  raised over $1,350.00 during the month of October to contribute towards it!  WRYM will be awarding The Deacon Ray Scholarship to one of our clients who is in post-secondary school that also demonstrates community mindedness / social responsibility through their volunteer work! 
​​

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.
​ 

Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.), Founder 
The Windsor Residence for Young Men​

​Alone and At-Risk

​​Investing in Citizenship Results !!!

​Directors' Positions are Available on WRYM's Board

​WRYM's Annual Golf Tournament

From High School to Independence
For every high school student in their graduating year, the COVID 19 pandemic has cancelled all rights of passage. No varsity sports, no prom, no class trip, and no walking down the stage to receive your diploma.
 
For Adam, he was also managing being told he could not live at home anymore after a family conflict in the home put him in a situation where he did not feel safe to return. With no other family and no in-person services available, at such a vulnerable age - Adam came into WRYM's Transitional Housing Program to try and sort out his life.

​Quickly, Adam showed that he already possessed many skills and an abundance of work ethic. Yet, he often struggled with emotional stability and coping with the position he had found himself in. After connecting him with many community supports (like counselling), building up his confidence through fulfilling endeavours (such as the job he acquired), establishing life skills needed to be resilient (such as self-esteem), and having many long talks with staff, WRYM is ecstatic to announce that Adam not only graduated high school, with a job, during a pandemic, but, he also just moved out on his own!!!

​Adam needed a bit longer in WRYM than some, but each day helped this young man overcome the sheer adversity he faced, to a position where he was able to meet so many of his goals, and leave the possibility of  homelessness far behind. It means the world to us, that he will never have to face that challenge.  Without WRYM, staff, volunteers, and YOU, Adam would not be where he is today.
 
Thank you for helping the lives of so many youth like Adam.
 
Jason Weinberg, Executive Director, executivedirector@wrym.ca
​

From May 1-31, volunteers and supporters will be raising funds for The Windsor Residence for Young Men. This is a COVID-SAFE event for indoors or outdoors. Participate on your own or with members of your immediate household, and send in your photos. Choose your activity - walk, run, bike, push ups, treadmill, etc. You can create a team, join a team, join as an individual, or simply donate in support. Registration is free and donations are encouraged! Find out more at www.wrym.ca.
 
Brian Worrall, President, jbrianworrall@gmail.com 

​Got Any Hand Sanitizer?
A recent Health Canada advisory has warned that Hiram Walker’s hand sanitizer products, which WRYM was fortunate to receive, contain an “unacceptable ingredient”  which it states can cause “dry skin, leading to irritation or cracking.” By my calculations, WRYM could now replace our 30 gallons of donated Wiser’s sanitizer for about $1,500 depending on the kind we purchase, at the cost of: 4L for approximately $50.
 
https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/hiram-walker-slams-health-canada-over-hand-sanitizer-safety-alert?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#Echobox=1617923762
 
https://windsor.ctvnews.ca/mobile/hiram-walker-hand-sanitizer-recalled-by-health-canada-1.5379437

​I and the Board of Directors have been extremely impressed with Jason’s performance and are confident in his abilities. Consequently, we have unanimously agreed to promote him to the position of Executive Director in my place. I will remain as a consultant, Treasurer/bookkeeper and Netletter editor; but, not as the person staff need for on-site direction.

While I certainly miss my interaction with WRYM’s staff and residents, I truly believe that both they, you and WRYM will be better served by Jason’s proven ability, talent and style. In my considered opinion, we are all fortunate to have Jason in his new position; and, I ask you to assist him in every way, as I will myself.