WRYM's February 2021 Netletter

WRYM’s Virtual ROUGH NIGHT OUT
Begins Friday, 19 February 2021, at 6pm
We’re doing it again, respecting social separation, which might actually hi-lite the plight of homeless youth. Some of you who participate may actually be “on your own … like a rolling stone”. This is WRYM’s major winter fundraising event and there are many new ways to participate when, while distanced, we are virtually connected. Unfortunately this year, my recovery from neurosurgery on my neck limits my participation to backing a winner, our Program Director, Jason Weinberg; but, there are many winners who will participate in various ways. Please participate or sponsor participants by noting your winner on your sponsorship donation. See the attachment to get started and for a good “hoot” mocking our “crazy”  participants who accept the challenge, in their own ways.
 
Thank you, Sue Freeman, Chair of Events and Fundraising, for organizing another signature event!

Finding one's self
 At WRYM, we fully embrace a youth's transition into adulthood, and the self-exploration that all individuals must go through before they decide "who" they want to be. Recently, a trans male youth - that was a survivor of abuse, a graduate of the Child Welfare system, and a visible minority - came to the WRYM program during his journey of self-discovery. From changing his name, to trying out new appearances, and making new friends, Johnathan was able to get something from WRYM that he never got from his family: acceptance during his journey. As Johnathan progressed through the residence, he settled on a new name, enrolled back in school, addressed his mental health, gained some new acquaintances, established some life-skills, and acquired an independent living placement with the support of staff. Although WRYM was only a small part of Johnathan's continuing journey, it acted as the gateway to a brighter future. By providing a non-threatening, stable, and supportive environment to address the issues pertaining to his homelessness, Johnathan was able to get the help needed to get back on his feet.
Thank you for all of the support you have provided to help turn around the lives of guys like Johnathan. Our staff and residents would not be here without you, our wonderful community, and all of your efforts for “our guys”!
 
Together, we are a community
Here we are, still in the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, but there is hope for a better future sometime in 2021. Meanwhile, the challenges continue.
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We can say with satisfaction that, to date, not one case of COVID-19 has occurred within The Windsor Residence for Young Men. Our pandemic regimen has been strict and our program remains effective. We have accessed funding to pandemic-proof our programs from the local administrators of the Government of Canada’s Emergency Community Support Fund (ECSF), namely The WindsorEssex Community Foundation and The United Way/Centraide Windsor-Essex County. We thank them. Ironically however, our core Transitional Housing and Aftercare programs, designated as frontline essential services, do not of themselves qualify for federal and provincial funding administered by the City of Windsor.

At WRYM, we provide a “family” environment where formerly homeless youth learn important life skills, how to access the resources of our community, and how to become active empowered citizens. Fortunately for these at-risk youth, our family has been recognized by our community members themselves as an essential service. Even in a pandemic, religious and community groups, private foundations, companies, employee groups, and many, many individuals have responded with generous donations. We invite you, our community, to stay with us as we move forward in 2021. Please join us at www.wrym and www.facebook.com/windsorresidenceforyoungmen for news and updates as, together, we help at-risk youth build new lives.
 
Thank you, so very much - Greg!

Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.)
Executive Director, (pro bono), & Founder
The Windsor Residence for Young Men