|
|
Our odd couple With today’s rising costs of living and challenges with socialization due to COVID 19, we often move residents on in pairs to help reduce their living expenses and isolation/loneliness. In one recent situation, two young men – Oscar and Felix – came to WRYM in very different situations. Oscar was working and Felix was volunteering to finish high school. Oscar was quiet, calm, and very easy going. Felix was loud, excitable, and high-strung. Although both young men possessed overt differences, they also found a shared history and common goals. Both Oscar and Felix had conflict with family, as well as challenges overcoming their past; but, both young men also loved anime (a style of Japanese art!), movies, games, and wanted careers in the field of communications technology. As each young man went through their individual support plan, participated in counselling, enhanced their life-skills, and found confidence in themselves, we began to see their relationship forming, and the potential for them to live together as roommates. After several planning meetings, apartment viewings, and a lot of work from our staff; we are pleased to say that Oscar and Felix now share a safe and affordable unit. Thanks to the assistance and support from all of our wonderful donors, staff, and volunteers homelessness is a thing of the past for both young men. Please join the conversation First of all, thank you so much for your support of our recent WALK, RUN ROLL 4 WRYM event. Because of you and many other participants and sponsors, we raised more than $33,000! The campaign was kicked off with support from Motor City Community Credit Union (www.mcccu.com), acting as Headline Sponsor, and additional support from Provincial Chrysler (www.provincialchryslerdealer.com), which funded promotional t-shirts and water bottles. Traditionally, we take part in Giving Tuesday (December 1st), an international annual occasion, mostly on the Internet, in which charities compete and cooperate for attention. We will also present an appeal during the upcoming holiday season. COVID-19 means we need to take full advantage of social media to be attractive, interactive and human. Over November, we are asking our kind supporters to say online why they support The Windsor Residence for Young Men. This could be a simple e-mail message and photo (or questions) to wrymevents2020@gmail.com. A smartphone 20 second (or more) video would do even more to humanize and build some excitement. Even better, you or some bright-eyed young recruit can correspond with Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/windsorresidenceforyoungmen , Twitter at https://twitter.com/WRYM2012 and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/windsorresidenceforyoungmen. From Giving Tuesday until Christmas, we will also be encouraging people to consider charitable donations at www.wrym.ca in the name of another as Holiday gifts. Please be assured that anything you can do to join in an exciting social media conversation can be expected to have real, practical effects!  Greg
Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.) Executive Director, (pro bono), & Founder The Windsor Residence for Young Men
0 Comments
We Do Good Work! A recent letter from the Department Head of the Public Alternative Secondary School (PASS) of the Greater Essex County District School Board cites positive outcomes for youth in the school's partnership with the Windsor Residence for Young Men's Youth Independence Program:
Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.),
Executive Director, (pro bono), & Founder, The Windsor Residence for Young Men |
