Just $1,399.50 Left to Unlock the Full Match

WRYM’s 2026 Invest in Citizenship Campaign is entering its final stretch, and our community has brought us incredibly close to unlocking the full $15,000 match.

To date, $13,600.50 has been raised toward our $15,000 matching goal. With every gift being matched dollar-for-dollar through July 1, that means $27,201 has already been invested in helping youth experiencing homelessness move toward safety, stability, and independence.

Now, with just $1,399.50 in matching funds remaining, every donation made before July 1 will help us close the gap and maximize the impact of this campaign.

Your support helps provide safe housing, life skills development, basic needs support, education and employment assistance, and the guidance young people need as they work toward a stronger future.

Current Campaign Progress
Raised to Date: $13,600.50
Matching Goal: $15,000
Match Remaining: $1,399.50
Campaign Ends: July 1, 2026

Together, we are investing in citizenship. Together, we are investing in youth.

Meet Some of the Team Behind WRYM!

Behind every program, conversation, and moment of support at The Windsor Residence for Young Men is a dedicated team helping youth feel safe, supported, and empowered.

We recently launched our “Meet Our Team” series on Facebook to introduce our community to some of the staff who make a difference at WRYM every day. These posts highlight team members, their roles, and what they value most about being part of this work.

While this series only features some of our team, it offers a meaningful glimpse into the people behind WRYM’s programs - the staff walking alongside youth as they build stability, confidence, and independence.

We invite you to follow along, meet some of the people behind the mission, and help us celebrate the staff who make WRYM’s work possible.

Click the button below to visit our Facebook page and view the Meet Our Team series.

Invest in Citizenship Returns June 1st:  Help Us Unlock $15,000 in Matching Funds 

Starting June 1st, WRYM is proud to launch our annual Invest in Citizenship campaign, a month long matching fundraiser running through to Canada Day.

This year, thanks to the incredible generosity of several committed supporters, we have secured $15,000 in matching funds. That means every dollar donated during June will be doubled, helping twice as many vulnerable youth access the support, stability, and opportunities they need to succeed.

At its core, Invest in Citizenship is about more than fundraising. It’s about recognizing that citizenship is not just about the rights we enjoy, but the responsibilities we share. It’s about compassion, community, and ensuring that young people facing homelessness and hardship are not left behind.

When you invest in WRYM, you’re investing in young men working to rebuild their lives. You’re helping provide housing, life skills, employment support, mental health assistance, and pathways toward long term independence. You’re helping shape stronger futures, not only for the youth we serve, but for our entire community.

As Canada Day approaches, we encourage everyone to reflect on what it truly means to be Canadian. Supporting one another. Lifting people up. Building communities where everyone has the opportunity to belong and contribute.

It’s not enough to simply celebrate Canada, we must invest in Canadians.

This June, your donation goes twice as far. Help us unlock the full $15,000 match and build the kind of country we can all be proud of.

WRYM Joins “A Hub Without Walls” Collaborative Initiative 

WRYM is proud to announce a new collaborative partnership with HWoW: A Hub Without Walls, an initiative focused on strengthening coordinated responses to gender based violence, homelessness, exploitation, and vulnerability throughout Windsor Essex.

While WRYM’s primary focus is supporting young men experiencing homelessness and crisis, we recognize that many of the youth we serve have also experienced trauma, violence, unhealthy relationships, family conflict, exploitation, or exposure to gender based violence. These experiences are often closely connected to housing instability, mental health challenges, and long term vulnerability.

Gender based violence impacts entire communities and affects people of all genders, including young men who are often underserved or overlooked within broader conversations around trauma and victimization.

By joining HWoW, WRYM is strengthening its ability to connect youth with appropriate community supports while participating in a broader network dedicated to prevention, intervention, advocacy, and healing.

This partnership reflects a shared belief that no organization can address complex social issues alone. Through stronger collaboration, communication, and coordinated care, we can help build safer, healthier communities and ensure vulnerable individuals do not fall through the cracks.

WRYM is grateful to join the many organizations involved in HWoW and looks forward to contributing to this important collective effort across Windsor Essex.

In Case You Missed It! WRYM Reports on Successful Housing Project!

The Windsor Residence for Young Men is proud to share the results of a recently completed provincially funded initiative that supported youth experiencing or at risk of homelessness in Windsor-Essex.

Through funding provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, WRYM expanded its Youth Housing Specialist program, offering housing navigation, individualized support, and ongoing aftercare to young people facing significant barriers.

Between April 2024 and March 2026,139 youth were supported through the program. Of the 43 youth who were actively experiencing homelessness, 88% successfully transitioned into stable housing, including independent living or reconnection with family.

These outcomes highlight the impact of targeted, relationship-based support and the importance of investing in solutions that move beyond emergency response toward long-term stability.

While this phase of funding has now concluded, the need for this work continues. WRYM remains committed to supporting youth as they build the skills, connections, and stability needed for independence.
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Click below to read more about the program and its impact.

Building a Place to Call Home: Thank You to Plasman
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Creating a sense of stability and belonging starts with the basics. Thanks to the continued support of Plasman, those basics are becoming a reality for the young men at WRYM.

Through their most recent donation, Plasman provided an industrial-grade refrigerator and ten dressers to support the day-to-day living environment within our residence. These contributions play a critical role in ensuring youth have access to nutritious food, organized personal space, and a setting that feels safe, stable, and dignified .

For many of the young men we serve, rebuilding stability starts with small but meaningful steps. Having a place to store groceries, prepare meals, and keep personal belongings helps create a foundation for growth, independence, and confidence.

This donation is more than just equipment, it is an investment in the well-being and future of the youth we serve. It reflects a shared commitment to strengthening our community and supporting young people as they move from homelessness toward independence.

We are grateful for Plasman’s ongoing partnership and their continued belief in the work being done at WRYM.

Click below to read more about this contribution and its impact.

Help Us Improve WRYM's Netletter

We want to ensure our Netletter remains a meaningful way to keep our community informed about the work we are doing and the impact your support makes possible.  As we look to improve and refine our communications, we would greatly value your feedback.

We have created a short survey to better understand what you enjoy about the Netletter, what you would like to see more of, and how we can make it even more useful and engaging for our readers.

Your feedback will help guide how we share updates, stories, and opportunities to stay involved with WRYM in the future.  The survey only takes a few minutes to complete, and every response will help us make the Netletter better for our community.

Please take a moment to complete the survey below.

Community Comes Together for “Rough Night Out”

We extend our sincere thanks to the many students, staff, and community supporters who recently participated in our “Rough Night Out” fundraiser at St. Clair College, an overnight event designed to raise awareness about youth homelessness in Windsor-Essex.

Participants spent a winter night outdoors while taking part in activities and discussions aimed at building a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by young people experiencing homelessness.  Through their commitment and the generosity of supporters, the event raised over $9,300 in support of The Windsor Residence for Young Men.

Funds raised will help support WRYM’s housing and community programs, which assist young men in building stability, developing life skills, and working toward long-term independence.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone involved for their compassion and commitment to supporting youth in our community.

To read the full story, click below.

A Key to a Fresh Start

When Marcus (name changed for privacy) arrived at the Windsor Residence for Young Men at 22 years old, he had been bouncing between couches and temporary places to stay for months.  Without stable housing, even simple things, like keeping a job, maintaining routines, planning for the future, felt nearly impossible.  He came to WRYM feeling worn down and uncertain about what his next step could be.

Over time, Marcus began rebuilding stability.  With support from staff, he focused on strengthening his daily routines, managing his finances, and navigating the responsibilities that come with independent living. Just as importantly, he had a consistent place to sleep, a safe environment, and people who believed in his ability to move forward.

Marcus worked hard to maintain steady routines and began setting realistic goals for himself.  After months of working and planning, he recently achieved a major milestone: securing a room for rent in the community - a crucial step that brings him closer to long-term housing stability.

While it may seem like a small step to some, having his own space means Marcus now has the stability to keep building momentum in his life.

At WRYM, moments like this remind us why our work matters.  Every young person who finds stable housing represents another step toward breaking the cycle of homelessness, and another future filled with possibility.

Check out our website below to learn more about what we do and how you can help us with our mission.

Family Day: The Importance of Belonging

Family Day is an opportunity to reflect on the people and relationships that provide support, stability, and a sense of belonging. For many, family represents safety and encouragement. For many of the young men served at The Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM), however, family relationships have often been complicated by trauma, conflict, or loss.

Last year, 77% of WRYM residents identified as having experienced family violence or abuse, highlighting the difficult circumstances that often contribute to youth homelessness. These experiences can leave young people without the support systems many others rely on during critical stages of development.

At WRYM, our work extends beyond providing housing. We focus on rebuilding stability, teaching life skills, and creating an environment where young men can experience consistency, accountability, and community. The impact of this work is reflected in our outcomes. Last year, 92% of residents were able to end their experience of homelessness through WRYM’s programs and supports, moving forward into stable housing, employment, education, and/or other positive next steps.

​Family Day reminds us that family can also be something rebuilt through connection, mentorship, and community. We are grateful to our staff, volunteers, partners, and supporters who help make this possible every day. Together, we continue working to ensure that no young man has to face homelessness alone.

Rough Night Out 2026 – There is Still Time!

The Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM) is preparing to host Rough Night Out (RNO) 2026, our annual overnight fundraiser supporting young men experiencing homelessness in Windsor-Essex.

Taking place on February 20, 2026, from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. at St. Clair College, Rough Night Out challenges participants to spend one night “roughing it out” in solidarity with youth facing housing insecurity. Funds raised directly support WRYM’s transitional housing, life-skills development, and aftercare programs.

We are grateful to the Community and Justice Services Social Club and the Police Foundations Social Club for their partnership in helping bring students and the community together around this important cause. The evening will include food, games, prizes, and opportunities to learn more about youth homelessness and WRYM’s impact.

This is the final email announcement ahead of the event. Participation requires a minimum $25 entry fee or fundraising pledges. For those unable to attend, community members can still make an impact by sponsoring a team or pledging a participant. WRYM’s Executive Director, Jason Weinberg, will also be participating for his 9th consecutive year, should any supporters be looking to pledge members of the WRYM team.

Together, we can ensure no young man has to face homelessness alone.

 Register, pledge one of our brave participants, or learn more by clicking the link below.