Blog Archives

11/28/2021

WRYM's December 2021 Netletter

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November 30th, is Giving Tuesday, the start of WRYM’s Seasonal Giving Campaign

AND

An Anonymous Donor has pledged up to $10,000 to Match your total Donations !!!

We are truly grateful for the confidence in our program expressed by this significant generosity.

PLEASE DON'T LET THIS OPPORTUNITY PASS!
(Click the donation box to the right?)

WRYM's Deacon Ray Scholarship

We are pleased to announce the recent development and implementation of
The Deacon Ray Scholarship here at The Windsor Residence for Young Men. Thanks to Edy Haddad, who launched and fundraised this scholarship as a way to memorialize his friend and mentor Deacon Ray (photo right). In early 2022, we will be awarding $1,000 to a past-resident of WRYM that is in post-secondary education who can also demonstrate community involvement through their volunteer work. Stay tuned in early 2022 to hear about the results of this wonderful opportunity!!!

Is WRYM the Missing Link?

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.

The idea is simple - make young people feel like they belong, teach them how to thrive, and support them on their journey. Although simple, it is effective. Attached is our statistics for 2020, to help demonstrate how our approach leads to positive outcomes.

Our mission statement says it best:
We help young men to overcome
homelessness and build new lives.

Stay safe and please share this with your friends.
Greg

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11/2/2021

WRYM's November 2021 Netletter

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From Dropping Out, to Moving In
Jason Weinberg, Executive Director

Riley came to WRYM by way of the hospital, where he had received mental health treatment due to the family issues and suicidal ideation he was experiencing. Due to COVID 19 disruptions with university, and a contentious family life, Riley was at an all-time personal low without a place to live. When Riley arrived at WRYM, he stated that he felt so hopeless that he wanted to quit his post-secondary studies so that he could focus on rebuilding his life. It was not that he didn't enjoy school, Riley just didn't see how he could possibly resolve his issues and continue University.

Over 5 months at WRYM, Riley went from hopeless to hopeful. Riley acquired counselling and continued outpatient mental health treatment with the support of staff. A routine was established that gave Riley personal fulfilment (including full-time employment) and the structure required to feel stable in his life. After many conversations with our staff, Riley decided that he did not need to quit school, and that he was excited to be able to return to full-time studies.

Well, we are ecstatic to tell you all that Riley moved directly from WRYM into student housing at his university!!!! When Riley left, he expressed that he was confident about his ability to "stand on his own two feet." From the hospital, to WRYM, to University, Riley never had to spend a night on the street. What would have happened if he did?

Perhaps Riley said it best: "WRYM provides opportunity for youth to potentially escape dangerous or abusive situations and it is a safe haven for one to focus on oneself in regards to individuality, responsibility, and social skills. WRYM saved me from the streets, and for that, I am grateful".

The Deacon Ray Scholarship
Jason Weinberg, Executive Director

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!

Commentary
Greg Goulin, Editor

Why are male youth seemingly ignored when considering the victims of domestic violence? Most of ”our guys” have been victims of domestic violence; and, if they learn by what they are exposed to, it twists their definition of what it means to be a male, most often diminishing their self image because they didn’t stand up to it “like a man” , (an unfortunate comment that I’ve heard far too often). The consequences are varied, but invariably negative, for them and our society, if not addressed.

Vital Signs

WECFoundation - the 2021 Vital Signs Report is here! 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 online at www.wecf.ca to find out what makes Windsor-Essex a great play and start a conversation! #VitalWe

Stay safe, and please share this with your friends.

Greg

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WRYM's December 2021 Netletter

WRYM's November 2021 Netletter

From Dropping Out, to Moving InJason Weinberg, Executive Director

​The Deacon Ray ScholarshipJason Weinberg, Executive Director ​

CommentaryGreg Goulin, Editor

Vital Signs

Author

Archives

From Dropping Out, to Moving In
Jason Weinberg, Executive Director

The Deacon Ray Scholarship
Jason Weinberg, Executive Director

Commentary
Greg Goulin, Editor