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 Our Guys Keep in Touch This month we would like to spotlight one of our past-residents who recently came back to visit us. Mark came into our program in the spring of 2017. He is a new Canadian who was suffering from regular parental abuse which started at a very young age. Mark was overcome with depression and other mental health issues, which quickly turned into thoughts of ending his life and a struggle with addiction. Mark’s unstable life had left him without a high school education and unemployed. When Mark learned that he was also going to be a father, he came to Windsor Residence for Young Men in hopes of becoming the “type of father he never had.” During his four motivated months with WRYM, he resumed school, gained full-time employment, and was connected with the appropriate community partners to assist with his mental and physical health, as well as other areas of need. When Mark left us in the fall of 2017, we were sad to see him leave but confident he would be able to stand on his own two feet. A year later, Mark decided to stop by, as many of the “brotherhood” do, and we were pleased to learn that he finished his high school diploma and is now in college while continuing work to make ends meet. Mark’s baby is happy and healthy; and, he is a very proud father!!! He inquired of our staff, expressed great appreciation of them, and was quick to smile when telling us about how his life is now. While Mark has all the amazing struggles of being a new father ahead of him, a home is not something he worries about any more. Thank you all for helping to make Mark’s story possible. (P.S. As I write, there are four of our guys in the kitchen learning how to make apple crisp. It is a loud, hilarious and joyful experience that would bring warmth to your heart, too.)  An Educator’s Thoughts ( and Actions) About WRYM “I was the principal at Walkerville Collegiate Institute when the Windsor Residence for Young Men started; and, it has always been an organization that has been special to me because I see the difference it makes in the community for our young males who have nowhere to go. This year is our first year selecting agencies to donate funds to and we have selected Windsor Residence for Young Men and United Way On Track to Success Program.” Want to Know More About WRYM? Fill out the attached Request for Information sheet and send it back; or, sign up for a Tour and Talk.
 Did You Know? WRYM receives absolutely no funding from the United Way of Windsor and Essex County, while receiving about $2,000 a year in designated donations from the United Way of Greater Toronto. Thank You Home Depot Canada, again!  The Orange Door Project Holiday Fundraising Campaign is taking place at all The Home Depot stores across Canada from November 29th until December 16th. Buy a $2 ‘paper door’ at the checkout of the Division and Walker Road Home Depot in Windsor and 100% of funds raised will benefit The Windsor Residence for Young Men. Together, we can put an end to youth homelessness in Canada. help end youth homelessness by buying a $2 paper door at the Home Depot Walker&Division checkout. Or, at www.orangedoorproject.ca under “Fund” select store fund “ON, Windsor-7228” so that your donation benefits #WRYM. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and he will feed himself for a lifetime. Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD
Executive Director, (pro bono),
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