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 "Sending you a big holiday hug this season” A message received at WRYM: “My son resides at WRYM and you have been nothing short of a Godsend. I only wish …I could …. thank you all with a hug. God bless all of you - A very thankful mom … " Thanks to all of you! – citizens and donors of time, stuff, and the funding which make our efforts possible. You have brought some Peace to at least one mother’s heart.  Thanks to WRYM’s Corporate Sponsors Contents Processing Centre (CPC) Recycling Depot Proceeds- November 5-30 Proceeds are going to support Windsor Residence for Young Men of Windsor Essex County. "Help keep electronics out of our landfills and support your local charity!”
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. WRYM offers a hand up, not a hand out.
Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD Executive Director, (pro bono)
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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),  Excerpts from a Grandparents’ Letter We write “as an expression of our gratitude for taking in our grandson”. We “are truly grateful that you and your staff were able to come to his rescue and assist him in his future endeavours in becoming a worthy contribution to today’s society. We have seen a major positive difference in him and we have you to thank for that. In such a short time he has displayed to us a very positive outlook on life and we firmly believe that it has all to do with his new home at Windsor Residence For Young Men. …thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us to introduce him to society and giving him the chance he truly deserves.” Percy Hatfield is the recipient of WRYM’s 2018 Community Awareness Award  WRYM President Susan Freeman (L) and Executive Director Greg Goulin (R) have presented MPP Percy Hatfield, Windsor-Tecumseh, with the WRYM Community Awareness Award. Our Board of Directors presented the Windsor-Tecumseh MPP with this award that recognizes individuals, corporations and groups who, by their actions, appreciate the community need for the provision of transitional housing and life skills to homeless male youth. "I am flabbergasted," said Hatfield. "I am so honoured that I have received this award. This is a big deal and I am going to proudly display it!" Thank you Colautti Brothers!
Thank you Colautti Brothers Marble Tile & Carpet (1985) Inc. and Tom Marshall for replacing all of our high use main level flooring and carpeting our upper stairway by way of a donation. Friday November 2 is Random Act of Kindness Day  The WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF) invites you to join them in celebrating Random Act of Kindness Day by performing a simple act of kindness for someone else. Please let them know what you have planned for Random Act of Kindness Day if you do chose to participate by contacting Ajsela Murselovic, amurselovic@wecf.ca , because they would love to hear and promote the good work that you are doing. Thursday, November 15th , is National Philanthropy Day Philanthropy is “generosity and good will in action” and “the love of humankind”. National Philanthropy Day® (NPD) is the day that thousands of people around the world come together to both (1) put that word into action and (2) recognize the change that word has brought to our communities. (For more information, visit the Association of Fundraising Professionals. And Tuesday, November 27th, is Giving Tuesday – quite a month! An International Review Preventing Youth Homelessness: An International Review of Evidence (link) has recently been published and among its conclusions is noted the following: “Evidence indicates that youth-focused housing models, including Housing First for Youth and the Foyer model, show considerable promise for preventing youth homelessness. In order to implement these housing models, many communities need to increase the availability of affordable, youth-specific housing. Strengthening family, natural supports, and community connections for youth is a critical component of effective housing stabilization efforts. Interventions that include family mediation, family counselling, and family reunification report stronger outcomes. Housing-led responses are more effective when they provide supports to address youths’ wellbeing, social inclusion, connection with community and culture, and engagement with education, employment, and training.” This is what we do at WRYM, realizing that before any type of a Housing First program can work, a community must first have social housing available, which Windsor-Essex does not. The program of the Windsor Residence for Young Men has been recognized as a modified Foyer model.  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) The 6th Birthday Party for the Windsor Residence for Young Men was a Great Success ! It was hosted on Wednesday, October 4th , by the Giovanni Caboto Club Charity Pasta Dinners Volunteers who hold fundraisers for 12 community charities each year, carrying on a tradition that goes back to 1925. Our 6th Birthday Party raised $3,657 for WRYM to assist “our guys”. “We like to give back to the community,” said Caboto volunteers’ chair Alex Sorrentino. THE YOUNGEST AND HAPPIEST DOOR PRIZE WINNER was certainly 4 year-old Leto Lehman, seen above being assisted in curbing his enthusiasm by his mother, Yvette.  The Solcz Family Foundation Grants WRYM $40,000/yr. for the next 5 years! Kyrsten Solcz, Executive Director of the Foundation said: “The Solcz Family Foundation is delighted to award Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM) with a grant to support their on-going efforts to help young males who are experiencing homelessness. Through their work, WRYM is addressing the root causes of homelessness and ensuring the youth they reach are better positioned for success. The Solcz Family Foundation is proud to partner with Windsor Residence for Young Men and support the great work they do for the Windsor-Essex community.”  Front with cheque: Nick Solcz (L) and (R) Kyrsten Solcz (Executive Director) – Back L-R: Len Solcz, Greg Goulin (Executive Director, WRYM), Susan Freeman (President, WRYM), Manuela Solcz, and Marty Solcz. The Plasman Group purchases a Complete Set of Specialty Mattresses for WRYM Shauna Hatch, Plasman Group’s Vice President of Human Resources, explained why the company chose to assist WRYM as follows: “Plasman Group is happy to again be a partner to the Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM) this year. Our Company’s giving mandate is to support children and youth agencies across the globe in cities where our Plasman Team Members live and work. WRYM is changing lives of young men from 16-20 years of age in the city of Windsor by providing supportive, transitional housing to those who are homeless or who are living in an unacceptable environment without appropriate adult support. Their assistance of 50 young men each year in their group home with individual counselling, and teaching basic life skills such as hygiene, food preparation, budgeting, social responsibility and work ethic betters everyone in our community. Our relationship with the residence dates back over five years and we have seen first-hand how our support gives opportunity for education, employment and independent living skills.”  Thank you!
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) WRYM’s 6th Birthday Party WRYM’s 6th Birthday Party is on Wednesday, October 3rd this year, from 4-7 p.m. at the Caboto Club. The Community Awareness Award winner is to be announced. Raffle prizes are needed.  Travis – A Success Story When Travis’s mother realized she did not have the time or ability to help her son overcome his mental health and behavioral issues which impacted their home life, she turned to Windsor Residence for Young Men for support. Rather than simply telling Travis to leave their home permanently, she wanted him to be able to return if he was able to improve on the issues that made their relationship unhealthy. From diversifying his coping mechanisms for anger, to developing a self-reliant mind-set, Travis spent three months in the program attempting to meet the goals needed for a family reunification. Travis participated in counselling, worked on Kid Next Door jobs, attended a summer art camp, and began taking an interest in both his appearance as well as his hygiene. On a regular basis, Travis, his mother and our staff would meet to review progress and ensure everybody was satisfied with the plan. With encouragement from staff, both Travis and his mother even attended family counselling together to work on their relationship. With both Travis and his mother committed to their relationship, the tireless efforts of our staff and the continued dedication of all our supporters have made it possible for Travis and his mother to now live happily together again. WRYM is “on target” The "What Would it Take?" Report Is a tool for change by Did French and Dr. Kaitlin Schwan , A Way Home Canada, and The Canadian Observatory on Homelessness. In honour of International Youth Day 2018, the report captures the perspectives of over 114 young people about ending youth homelessness in Canada, and it serves as a useful tool for policy and practice change. Themes from the report were used at a recent Youth Conference held at the University of Alberta as a guiding framework for discussion. And, research is beginning to establish that your “investment” in our program designed to end homelessness - not support the state of being homeless - actually saves our community money. See the one-page download “Ending Homelessness Saves $”. 
 Thank You, Green Shield Canada! On Friday, the 10th of August, 2018, WRYM received $57,684 from Green Shield Canada for the fourth year of funding of our Mental Health Navigation program. GSC has provided the impetus to focus our ideas into an efficient and effective core program - one that is truly consistent with our approach to ending homelessness for “our guys.” By teaching life skills we provide our guys with the independence necessary to walk away from abusive situations. Teaching them how to access existing agencies in our community, particularly in the field of mental health, is a vital life skill. WRYM was founded on the principle that we would not duplicate existing services but assist in accessing them. Today the “magic word” is “collaborative” and we are proud to be one of the minor but dedicated players. For more information, download the document Frontline Collaborator below. Thank you so very much, Green Shield Canada! (PS - a "reliable source” says we should be able to announce more great funding news later in September!)  The Kids Next Door program resumes its school schedule On behalf of “our guys”, I would like to thank all of you who sought their supervised assistance this summer. It was a very successful program that put some money in their pockets while teaching a work ethic and providing the same opportunities as their peers from functional families. Now, we are resuming our school schedule - Saturdays only - under the volunteer supervision of Joel Thibodeau, owner of My Green Knight home services. Joel’s a gem. Here's a Kids Next Door flyer for you!
Welcome our new board member! We are pleased to welcome Rev. Dr. Matthew M. Durham, csb, of the Basilians, to our Board of Directors. To see a full listing of WRYM’s Board of Directors please visit our WRYM Board of Directors page. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and he will feed himself for a lifetime. Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD
Executive Director, (pro bono)  My time at WRYM Before I was living at WRYM, I lived with my mother. She was a single mom. My father left a few months after my birth. Me and my mother had our fair share of fights almost everyday, progressively getting worse. She sent me to WRYM to learn how to live on my own and deal with my anger. Now I’m doing extremely well. I worked with the Kid’s Next Door Program, and bought things I needed for a long time to further progress in music! I have also learned to cook things like stir-fry, and chicken. I have learned how to maintain a schedule and a daily routine for personal hygiene, and to do chores like washing dishes, sweeping and mopping floors, and so on. Me and my mother now go to counselling together to work on the way we treat and talk to each other. This was arranged by WRYM.  The Windsor Residence for Young Men has entered the Dowler-Karn Fueling Communities $75,000 GIVE-AWAY! Now, to be considered, WRYM needs 50 or more “sponsors” of our work for homeless young men! You, your friends and family can be a sponsor. There is no cost to be a “sponsor”, except that of your time. Get the project link by clicking on our project from the list shown at http://dowlerkarn.com/fueling-communities-75000-give-away-applicants/ and you can share to Facebook & Twitter directly from the project page (click on “Share” at the bottom ) **PLEASE NOTE: Sponsors should try to register using GOOGLE CHROME if they are having issues. They will not be able to register using Internet Explorer. If you are still having technical difficulties, you can also sponsor a project by emailing giveaway@dowlerkarn.com with your full name, email address, postal code & the project you would like to sponsor.  WRYM extends appreciation to:
 The WindsorEssex Community Foundation Needs Our Help As you may recall, the WECF gave WRYM $10,000 last December to assist in the continuance of our Kid Next Door project, from which we believe many of you, as well as our guys, have benefited. The WindsorEssex Community Foundation wants to hear from YOU! Please take 15 minutes of your time to let them know what you think of the quality of life in Windsor/Essex for their 2018 Vital Signs® survey. Released each October, the Vital Signs® report combines national, provincial, and local data with residents’ views of important issues. The report is used as an educational resource to engage the Windsor/Essex community in ongoing dialogue of what Windsor/Essex is doing well and where assistance is needed most so we can make our community an even better place to live, work, play and grow. Please click on this link to complete the survey: https://wecf.wufoo.com/forms/z1rkosop15mdfcd/ Those who complete the survey in full have the opportunity to enter for a chance to win $100! Let them hear your voice!  Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and he will feed himself for a lifetime. Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD
Executive Director, (pro bono), Why wrym is necessary in our community - Attached you will find a sobering report from British Columbia’s Coroner’s Office on youth transitioning from care, at risk of homelessness, or homeless. We are fortunate to have a good relationship with the Windsor Essex Children’s Aid Society, especially for those male youth transitioning out of foster care. For more information online, visit this link. The full report is also attached below. If you doubt what I say, read the second attached article. WRYM is the only provider of transitional housing for male youth in our community. We give “our guys” the basic life skills and continuing support to get and keep them off the streets. Their consequent ability to access the private rental market has become even more crucial as we have recently learned that the wait list for social housing units has increased from 4,040 in the Fall to 4,700; and, 68% of the homeless in our community are male.
Outputs vs. outcomes I have often said that WRYM does not support homelessness – we try to end it, for “our guys”. An “output” is the number of meals served or the number of bed nights our guys shelter under our roof; but, how does such end homelessness? Such “assistance” may actually support the state of being homeless. While we keep track of those statistics, to us they are meaningless. What counts is our “outcomes” – how successful we are at “getting our guys off the street”. That’s where our program becomes meaningful. Except in emergency, no one comes to WRYM to get a meal, but to learn how to make it – not to “flop” or “couch surf”, but to learn how to make their own home. “Our guys” must commit to learning the life skills that will turn them into productive citizens AND we’re good at it! Assisting on average 50 each year, 74% left the street in 2015, 80% in 2016, and remarkably 98% in 2017. Of those succeeding with our program, about 1/3 were re-united to family, 1/3 found supportive housing appropriate to their needs, and the other 1/3 found their own place to live with a job or educational funding, usually both. These are the numbers, the “outcomes”, that are meaningful to us: a success rate between 74-98% at getting an average of 50 young guys off the street each year!  Serious immediate need – new mattresses After almost 6 years of hard use we need 10 mattresses, but just not any mattresses – ours are institutional grade and must be bug proof, water proof and fire retardant. We have a good quote at $3,800 with tax, delivered; but, after our sewer disaster earlier this year, even with everyone’s generosity, we do not have such funds in the budget. If you can help, please contact me. A safe mattress is basic to safe shelter, which is basic to our program. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and he will feed himself for a lifetime. Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD
Executive Director, (pro bono) Evin’s Saga Continues I last reported to you that Evin had made contact with his mother who was safe in another country. Since then, Evin’s brother has joined us at WRYM through the efforts of Matthew House; and, as we thought, now permitted to work, Evin immediately found basic employment. It’s all a start on a new life. Yard Sale (But not in our Yard!) We would like to extend our appreciation to the congregation of St. Mark’s by-the-Lake Anglican Church for allowing WRYM to use their church hall and parking lot for a yard sale on Saturday, June 9th, 8am – 12noon. Please see the attached flyer for details. Donations are not accepted at WRYM.  Please feel free to circulate our yard sale flyer!
Home Depot Orange Door Campaign May 31 to June 24- Walker and Division Road Store The Orange Door Project fundraising campaign is taking place at all The Home Depot stores across Canada. Buy a $2 ‘paper door’ at the checkout or donate online. 100% of funds raised at the Walker and Division Road Store in Windsor will benefit the Windsor Residence for Young Men. Together, we can put an end to youth homelessness in Canada. Donate and learn more at orangedoorproject.ca  Special Thanks Goes To... Motor City Community Credit Union for sponsoring and John Fuerth of Capone’s for hosting “Celebrate Mothers”. Volunteers and donors who again made our Garden Day at WRYM a success, (greatly improving our front yard after sewer repairs) and CTV local news for covering our efforts to promote the mental health benefits of gardening with “our guys.” Lee & Maria’s for locally grown produce delivered weekly in a Lee’s Harvest Bin Mark MacInnis of MacInnis Contracting Services for repairing the damage to our kitchen floor caused by our dishwasher. Mike Salive of Sun-Parlour Weed & Spider for continuing to assist our guys in maintaining our weed free lawns. Present Needs We now have a new dishwasher and an emergency pull-out bed/couch in our recreation room. Just 3 more bookcases and we’ll be back to “normal” (whatever that state may be)! Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and he will feed himself for a lifetime.  Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD
Executive Director, (pro bono) Evin’s Joy Following up on Evin’s story in our last Netletter, I am delighted to share his joy in finding his mother, now a refugee herself in another country. As well, because of his willingness to volunteer within our community, and learn from it, I am sure job offers will follow once his status is fully regularized. I must also mention the generosity of the members of “4ever4hymn” who sponsored his first month with us which had remained unfunded. Celebrate Mothers with WRYM This event is proving very popular. Please see the attachment and reserve, as well as pay for, your tickets very soon. About 50% of the seating has already been claimed for both seatings on Mothers Day. Remember that: The tickets can only be reserved through me at 519 981 9917 or executivedirector@wrym.ca, not Capone’s. Meal selections must accompany reservations. Payment, only by cash or cheque, must be made to WRYM by Monday, 7MAY18, or we will transfer your reservation to those on our cancellations list.
Garden Day at WRYM
You are welcome to join our guys at 10am on Saturday, 19May18, when we cleanup our yard and plant our gardens, including our vegetable garden. There is a lot of work needed this year as we recover from our drainage system replacement. Donations of bags of garden soil and hardy plants like hostas would be appreciated to replace our front garden as well as seed potatoes, onions, carrots, beans or peas for our “stew garden” in the backyard. Check Out Our New Website at www.wrym.ca It is very impressive! Click the “Menu” button in the upper left corner to fully explore it, (even past copies of my Netletter stored on it). The computer savvy of Brian Worrall and design skills of Susan Freeman, both past recipients of our “Heart and Soul Award”, are to be highly praised in this volunteer production. Help WRYM to Help a Valued Supporter On behalf of the WindsorEssex Community Foundation (WECF), a significant donor to WRYM, I am requesting your assistance on their Vital Signs Survey concerning a range of issues that are important to our local community. For the past five years the WECF has produced a Vital Signs® survey which asks Windsor/Essex residents a variety of questions on 11 areas vital to the quality of life in our community. Please help them, by taking and promoting the survey. Here is a direct link: https://wecf.wufoo.com/forms/z1rkosop15mdfcd/ If you’d like to read the 2017 Vital Signs® report, please visit http://wecf.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Windsor-Essexs_2017_VitalSignsReport_Final.pdf WRYM’s Present Needs for “Stuff” A new dishwasher, 2 long vinyl couches to double as emergency beds, and 3 book cases. I am always impressed at how somebody knows somebody else who can provide for our needs! Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and he will feed himself for a lifetime. Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD Executive Director, (pro bono), The Windsor Residence for Young Men Partners in Blue Uniforms You may find the correspondence attached from our police supporters impressive and their view unique. They truly do understand and appreciate what we are about.
Evin, an Amazing Young Man
At WRYM we pride ourselves in ensuring every young man experiencing homelessness can receive help. In late February “Matthew House,” which provides “comfort and security for refugee claimants in Windsor by providing transitional housing and settlement assistance,” was at maximum capacity. Unfortunately, this meant that Evin, a recent refugee claimant to Canada, was left homelessness, while Matthew house was willing to continue processing his refugees claim. Evin was on a student visa, when his mother in Rwanda seemed to disappear. Various international settlement agencies informed him that his mother was believed to have been arrested, is a political prisoner; and, it would not be safe for him to return to his home country. This meant that Evin could no longer continue school as he was not receiving financial support; he could not afford to maintain his living accommodations; and, he was not entitled to any government supports while his refugee claim was in-progress. He could not work nor attend school; and, was without purpose, lost and severely depressed. School, job search or work is mandatory in our program. It was also quickly observed that Evin was an outstanding, responsible, mature, and kind young man who grasped and flew through our program without any place to transition to upon completion. We had to do some hard thinking and concluded that volunteering for WRYM and other groups that support us as well as unpaid internships was “work” that benefitted WRYM and our community, as well as providing experience that would assist his future employment potential and improve his mental health. Evin has now earned his place in our semi-independent apartment. However, Evin could not receive any form of government assistance, not even $17.50 a day for room and board. At an average cost of $159 per day or about $8,000 per resident that we assist, WRYM needs your help to “sponsor” this young man. As an individual, group, or organization, please consider helping us to provide for Evin. Stuff We Need Lunch time is when we teach our guys how to prepare healthy meals with staples and canned goods available from food banks. We need canned beef, chicken and turkey – not tuna, salmon nor ham. I am afraid our guys may soon grow gills and start to oink after lunch. Thank You to a New Corporate Program Partner We must extend our heart felt appreciation to Fabio and Massimo De Mench of CareerStreams Resources Inc. Fabio and Massimo are voluntarily enrolling our guys in their program which develops the full potential of our residents for employment with businesses of our community. They truly perceive the “win – win” benefits to our guys and our economy. They are “completing the circle” with employers such as Green Processing, Canadian Tire and others who seek to employ our guys. Tours and Talks We are continuing our Tours and Talks every Wednesday from 1-3pm for those of you interested in our residence and learning why as well as how our program produces a 98% success rate in moving young men off the street and on to productive citizenship. By reservation only due to demand. Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him to fish and he will feed himself for a lifetime. Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD Executive Director, (pro bono), greggoulin@cogeco.net Cell: (519) 981-9917 |
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