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5 Years Later - From Homeless to College
In 2018, Jeremy had been kicked out of his parent's house and hospitalized for significant mental health concerns. When being discharged from the hospital, Jeremy had nowhere to go and came to WRYM looking for help to get his life back on track and help him resolve his situation of homelessness. Over 7 months at WRYM, Jeremy learned a lot of life skills, continued accessing support from mental health professionals, participated in counselling, and gained a tremendous amount of confidence in himself and his perspective about his future. We were so thrilled when Jeremy moved out in the summer of 2018 in order to live in a supportive environment where his needs would be met. We wanted to share with you that Jeremy's story did not end there. Jeremy continued his progress and was able to enter into independent living, gain employment, begin a committed relationship, start college, and volunteer for a local food bank. Today, we are pleased to announce that Jeremy (name changed for privacy) will be receiving The Windsor Residence for Young Men's Deacon Ray Scholarship. This scholarship will provide Jeremy $1,000 to assist with his navigation of school related expenses and costs, as he continues college and giving back to the community through his volunteer work. Thank you to Edy Hadad, who established and continues helping fund the Deacon Ray Scholarship. We are honored to memorialize Deacon Ray in such an inspiring way. Rough Night Out Fundraiser - February 10, 2023 On February 10th from 7pm to 7am, volunteers are raising funds and awareness, by sleeping outside (roughing it out) here in the backyard of The Windsor Residence for Young Men. Please see our flyer and registration, linked here. Anyone can be involved, even if you are unable to attend or remain outside for the entirety of the event. Modified participation is certainly possible, if you would like to join but have limitations of any kind. Want to support the event, but cannot participate? No problem! Please use the link below to sponsor the event and our participants 😊. The sacrifice and commitment of our participants is truly outstanding, and we hope you will consider supporting them in their effort to end homelessness for youth. https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/78689 Thank you, Greg For the past 7 years, I have had the honor of assisting Greg Goulin with WRYM's Netletters, be they small contributions or a second set of eyes. It has been an honor and privilege to watch as Greg volunteered his time to spread WRYM's message and share our progress with you. Although Greg is still an active Director at WRYM (and a wonderful friend), he has chosen to take a step back from publishing the netletter and he will enjoy a bit more freedom in his well-deserved retirement. Subsequently, I would like to extend a deep gratitude in thanking Greg for being our Netletter author these many years and a wonderful mentor. I aim to continue to provide you with updates and information about WRYM of interest so that we can all take joy and pride in the work being done. Jason Weinberg Executive Director
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Our Guys had a Good Holiday
Many of them were able to visit family again, if only for a few days at most; but, that is often the best ``remedy`` for homelessness. Mary Lynne and Hubert Lafontaine, as is their custom, cooked a full turkey dinner for those in residence which was supplemented by treats dropped off by others. Lots of leftovers, which is strangely humorous to hear the guys, otherwise homeless, complain about! It is difficult to explain how important the holiday season is to a youth at WRYM who is often disconnected from their families or loved ones. Keeping spirits high for our residents during the holidays can be easier said than done, but due to an amazing team and some incredible champions, we are pleased to tell you that it seems thar “our guys” had a very happy holiday. As well, they all received plentiful and appropriate Christmas bags, (needed, extra and just plain fun things), thanks to your generosity. Speaking of which … Thank You for Your Donations during our Season of Giving Your thoughtful kindness raised $69,115 in donations and pledges; not quite as much as $82,193 last year, but a most significant amount in any event, especially in these economic times! And finally, you will be hearing less from me in the future. (Hurray, you may say, less pestering!) After 13 years of advocacy and fundraising before our doors were opened, (some lawyer ☹), and then 10 years of operations resulting in unimagined success thanks to great staff, volunteers and others; another couple of health issues will likely result in less participation on my part. The social justice issues that “our guys” faced have been significantly overcome, for them; and, they will always remain close to my heart, hopefully yours as well. Stay safe, and share this with your friends. -Greg On behalf of “our guys”, staff, volunteers and myself, THANK YOU ALL for your generosity this Season.
Donations and pledges have reached $62,315 with 11 days to go! Last year we raised $82,193, or just over 20% of this year’s budgeted expenses; so, your kindness by keeping “our guys” close to your hearts is very significant. I must also note that as our 10th year comes to a close we have had our 400thadmission, keeping our promise to our community of 40 a year; but, we did not anticipate a 90% success rate, maintained for several years now, nor national recognition of our program at the conference of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness. It seems our investments in the homeless male youth of our community has been worthwhile in producing many potentially productive citizens. A “Reflection” As you may know, since the back of my neck was removed to prevent quadriplegia, I have been “working remotely” and don’t get out much anymore; but, all things in life have their blessings. After almost 60 years, I have been able to become a watercolourist again, even if a two-fisted one with little feeling in my hands. As a youth, I was very fortunate to have been tutored by Bill Stidworthy, a renowned artist with work in the Art Gallery of Windsor’s collection. Thanks to Bill’s blunt appraisals of my efforts, I was even able to win a few prizes back then; and now, working on a post-rainfall scene, I remembered some of his advice: water is not blue, it is many colours and it has texture, of ripples at least, as well as “reflections”. Bill said: “ Look with your eyes, not your mind, and then think about it ! ” It was good advice, in many ways. I ask you to do the same with “our guys” and WRYM, please. Wishing you the Very Best of the Season, and Thanking You for providing the same to “our guys”, Greg WOW !!! In less than a week our supporters have donated $12,740 to “match” the $10,000 pledged by Capital Power; and, it seems that we need more Matching Donors – such a problem! While your almost instant and significant generosity is very surprising, perhaps it is reflective of your faith in the effectiveness of our program which received national, (and some international) recognition early last month when our Executive Director, Jason Weinberg, was invited to the conference of the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness to present on our innovative and highly successful Youth Independence Program, (if innovative means getting back to basics). Or, possibly you have noticed that WRYM did not have an outbreak of COVID19 throughout the pandemic due to health and safety procedures we instituted, while maintaining our 90% success record transitioning our guys out of homelessness. Again, it may be that you realize that we are the only residential program in our community that serves all homeless self-identifying male youth 16-24 years of age, in house and after they move on, regardless of their religion, immigration status, and sexual orientation; noting as well that we seem to be the only residential facility for homeless male-oriented Trans youth; and, that “our guys” all get along! Thank you, Stay Safe and the Very Best of the Season to all. Please share this with your friends and encourage others to support our efforts. Greg
Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.), Founder The Windsor Residence for Young Men 1505 Langlois Ave., Windsor, ON, N8X 4M3 an incorporated registered charity # 879631810RR0001 www.wrym.ca Cell: (519) 981-9917 WRYM’s Season of Giving Starts November 29th, 2022 Tuesday, November 29th, is Giving Tuesday, the start of WRYM’s Seasonal Giving Campaign AND Capital Power has pledged up to $10,000 to give us a boost, to Match and double your total monetary Donations !!! We are truly grateful for the confidence in our program expressed by this significant generosity. Donations to WRYM’s Season of Giving can be made online, by mail or in person at 1505 Langlois Ave, Windsor ON, N8X 4M3. Last year, during the 2021 Season of Giving campaign, Capital Power also provided $10,000 dollars in matching funds. "We are proud to support the exceptional work being done at The Windsor Residence for Young Men,” said Matthew Bitzer, Plant Manager, East Windsor Cogeneration Centre, Capital Power. “Capital Power believes it is very important to help these youth find new homes and build fulfilling lives, especially with winter coming and the cold weather setting in.” Capital Power is a growth-oriented North American wholesale power producer with a strategic focus on sustainable energy headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta. They build, own and operate high-quality, utility-scale generation facilities that include renewables and thermal. They have also made significant investments in carbon capture and utilization to reduce carbon impacts and are committed to be off coal in 2023. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The 2022 Annual General Meeting of The Windsor Residence for Young Men will be held on Thursday, 15 December 2022, at 6pm by remote format. If you plan on attending, please register by replying to this email with your name, address, email address and phone number before 5pm, Friday, 9 December, 2022. You are most welcome to attend; but, we must also verify your membership status for voting eligibility. Our Bylaws read “Membership in the corporation shall be limited to persons interested in furthering the objects of the corporation and shall consist of anyone whose application for admission as a member has received the approval of the board of directors of the corporation”. Consequently, voting will be done by roll call of the members registered to attend. Once you have registered, you will be sent an email with details about how to access the meeting and the materials necessary for participation. Stay safe and please share this with your friends. -Greg National RECOGNITION for WRYM’s Program Our Executive Director, Jason Weinberg, left for Toronto yesterday to present at The Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness’ National Conference having been awarded one of two all expenses paid PAULA GOERING MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS.  Since its inception in 2013, the CAEH National Conference on Ending Homelessness has been equipping policymakers, funders, researchers, advocates, community leaders and front-line workers with the inspiration, information, tools and training they need to end homelessness in Canada.
This year’s program features 85 sessions in 14 streams, delivered by hundreds of national and international subject matter experts for over 1,400 participants from across the country and around the globe, attending remotely or in person. No doubt Jason’s award is due to WRYM’s consistent 90% success rate with our diverse range of residents whose only commonality is that they identify as male, 16 to 24 years of age, and are at risk of homelessness. Our Youth Independence Program (YIP), devised by Jason, will feature prominently in his presentation. We would like to again thank Green Shield Canada and the Windsor Essex Community Foundation for having the foresight and faith in WRYM to have provided the initial funding for the first sessions of YIP’s program. On the 12th of October, 2012, the Windsor Residence for Young Men finally opened its doors after 13 years assessing the need, devising the program, raising the funds and lobbying the public as well as municipal government. Many prejudices had to be overcome. Today our program still meets projections made with, remarkably, a consistent annual success rate of 90% and is being adopted in other communities. So … WE’RE HAVING A PARTY NEXT WEDNESDAY !!! The Caboto Club has resumed its charity pasta dinners, dine in or take out and is charging $20 per meal with children under 5 free. We have secured next Wednesday, 5OCT22, from 4-7pm, for WRYM’s 10th Birthday Party with Jim Crichton as MC. I hope to see you there.  As before we will have baked goods for sale as well as draws for our gift card tree and the like. Additionally this year we have an online silent auction for the two water colour paintings shown in the attachment. At present the results are as follows: BIDS to date (September 28th, 2022): “Ditch Lilies #1” - $50 “Ditch Lilies #2” - $50 The Pair (both) - $150 ANSWERS to questions, (most recent at the top): -There is significance to the names. These are my favourite flowers. They are very hardy and beautiful, growing wild in the ditches of our county from which many have been transplanted, and now multiplied, to fill the gardens of my home. They remind me of “our guys” and their potential if properly cared for at WRYM. -Including the frames, both are the same size: approximately 9” x 11”. -In the photo attached, “Ditch Lilies #2” appears reddish. It is actually more yellow and orange. -Yes, I have learned to be a two fisted painter. While feeling has yet to return to my hands, I can now resume a favourite pastime. AS PREVIOUSLY STATED: Bids must increase in increments of $5. To acquire The Pair, your bid must exceed the combined final bids for the two individually. Online bidding will cease at 11:59pm Tuesday, 4OCT22, with the winner(s) notified on Wednesday morning 5OCT22 to attend our Birthday Dinner at 6pm with cash or cheque. We do not have credit or debit card capabilities. If you wish to place a bid or have a question, reply to me directly by email and I will share your bid amounts, but not your name, and answers to your questions, with all others also interested. AND A SPECIAL THANK YOU To Sue and Dave Freeman, their family, friends, sponsors, volunteers and participants for a very successful golf tournament enjoyed by all while significantly benefiting our guys. Stay safe and please share this with your friends. Greg On the 12th of October, 2012, the Windsor Residence for Young Men finally opened its doors after 13 years assessing the need, devising the program, raising the funds and lobbying the public as well as municipal government. Many prejudices had to be overcome. Today our program still meets projections made with, remarkably, a consistent annual success rate of 90% and is being adopted in other communities. So … SURPRISE, WE’RE HAVING A PARTY !!! The Caboto Club has resumed its charity pasta dinners, dine in or take out, just like before COVID, and is charging $20 per meal with children 5 and under free; and we have secured Wednesday, 5OCT22, from 4-7pm, for WRYM’s 10th Birthday Party with Jim Crichton as MC. I hope to see you there. As before we will have baked goods for sale as well as draws for our gift card tree and the like. Additionally this year we are having an online silent auction for the two water colour paintings shown below, which can begin now as follows: “Ditch Lilies #1” - $50 “Ditch Lilies #2” - $50 The Pair (both) - $150 ** Please Note: This is the price at the time of posting this Netletter, September 15th, 2022. Please follow directions below to inquire re: most recent bidding price **  A Reserved Bid is the point at which bidding begins and means the donor will buy these paintings back from WRYM at the price stated. Bids must increase in increments of $5. To acquire The Pair, your bid must exceed the combined final bids for the two individually. Online bidding will cease at 11:59pm Tuesday, 4OCT22, with the winner(s) notified on Wednesday morning 5OCT22 to attend our Birthday Dinner at 6pm with cash or cheque. We do not have credit or debit card capabilities. If you wish to place a bid online or have a question, reply to me directly by email to me (greggoulin@cogeco.net) and I will share your bid amounts, and answers to your questions with all others also interested. Greg Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.) The Windsor Residence for Young Men 1505 Langlois Ave., Windsor, ON, N8X 4M3 an incorporated registered charity # 879631810RR0001 greggoulin@cogeco.net 5 Years Later: A Past Resident Update In 2017, Darren came to WRYM to escape the family violence in the home that he and his sisters were experiencing from their maternal parent. From physical to emotional abuse, controlling behaviour, and financial exploitation, Darren came to WRYM with a history of complex trauma that was beyond his ability to overcome alone. After two admissions into residence and 167 total days in our Transitional Housing Program, Darren moved out into a semi-independent apartment with a job, community support, and a smile. Despite all he had been through, Darren remained one of the most charming and likeable young people you will ever meet. Very recently (almost exactly 5 years after his discharge), Darren reached out to us to thank WRYM for "changing his life," and supporting him on his journey. Furthermore, we are ecstatic to update you all that Darren is a college graduate, with a Business Administration Diploma, he is working full-time in his field, and he is living independently. After providing 10 years of Transitional Housing to over 380 admissions, we think that the update to Darren's story helps exemplify the long lasting impact that our "functional family" has on each youth. WRYM doesn't just help people "off of the street"... we help them to "build new lives." With your support, WRYM can continue to ensure that every youth like "Darren" gets the chance to overcome hardship and build a new life. Please consider sponsoring a resident or becoming a monthly donor today!  Exciting New Grant Partners! Thank you to The May Court Club of Windsor, who invested $2,500.00 to help reduce the rising costs of food acquisition of our Transitional Housing Program; and, the Canadian Scholarship Trust (CST) - Inspired Minds Project for investing $5,000 in our Youth Independence Program, where youth can acquire a high school credit for completing life skill lessons in our classroom. With partners like The May Court Club and CST, we continue our mission with renewed vigor and the confidence of a supportive community.  Jason Weinberg
Executive Director Windsor Residence for Young Men 1505 Langlois Avenue Windsor, ON N8X 4M3 P: 226-221-8464 F: 226-221-8624 executivedirector@wrym.ca Going Back Home  At WRYM, we are always so happy when one of our residents gets their own rental unit and finally achieves their independence. Despite the joy and fulfillment this brings us, our favourite outcome is when a youth is able to move back to the family home. Nothing surpasses the benefit of a safe and affordable living environment with a supportive family in the home who are able to help a youth overcome life's challenges. Very recently, a high school student named Marcus came to WRYM when the arguments in the family home were escalating beyond control. As a star high school football player, with a large presence and intimidating physique, Marcus was incredibly emotionally vulnerable and at-risk of harm due to his lack of available support systems. All Marcus wanted was to repair the relationship with his mother, return to the family home, and continue with his studies / athletics. Unfortunately, Marcus did not know how to do this on his own without support. While living in WRYM, we were able to connect Marcus with the assistance needed to address the issues in the family home and provide him with the reprieve to better consider his actions and role within his family dynamic. Marcus was able to reflect with staff, assess his options, and engage in a dialogue with his mother about their conflict and communication issues. Rather than Marcus going to the street or the shelter, where his focus would undoubtedly be about personal safety/survival, Marcus spent his time at WRYM in a position of stability, strategizing how to overcome the relationship issues in his family and his overall barrier to permanent housing. After a little more than two weeks in Transitional Housing at WRYM, and a lot of discussions with his mother, we are thrilled to report that Marcus returned to the family home, where he still lives today! Our whole team is so pleased that we were able to provide the temporary housing, emotional support, referrals for service, and family mediation necessary to help Marcus get back "home" again. Thank you for helping make Marcus' return home possible.  WRYM’S 3rd ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT Sunday, September 11, 2022 Tee times beginning at 12:00PM Rochester Place Golf Course Exciting sponsorship opportunities are still available!
The final date for registration is August 17, 2022 Be a part of the action! Enjoy an afternoon of golf followed by a scrumptious meal at the Rochester Parkside Grille Contests and draws will be held throughout the day Final date for registration is August 31, 2022 Prize donations are needed for our prize table! If you would like to make a donation, please contact Sue at golftournament@wrym.ca For more information, please contact Sue at golftournament@wrym.ca or visit www.wrym.ca |
