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WRYM’s Programs are Successful  As our 2019 statistics show, WRYM’s programs – especially our supportive Transitional Housing Program - are effectively reducing homelessness among youth in our community at minimal cost. We have a 95% success rate over the past three years. I believe one of the most important reasons for our success is that we do not duplicate or administrate support services that are already available in our community. Rather, we teach our guys how to access such needed services and interact with our community in productive ways, fostering their independence and the development of their own responsible citizenship. In addition, all our administrative tasks are done by volunteers. We depend mostly on community donations; and, fiscal responsibility is a big priority.
The Kid Next Door Program is Suspended Balancing funding, program costs and volunteer administrative labour is a constant challenge, and we strive to make the wisest use of resources. We are sad to say that, until we receive more funding, we must suspend the Kid Next Door program. This particular program has provided our guys with opportunities to do paid home maintenance tasks and yard work, primarily for senior citizens who have been very appreciative of the services. Our young men have also learned the value of a work ethic and enterprise through this program. While our “customers” paid our guys directly, WRYM has provided customer liaison, job assessments and estimates, supervision and transportation at a value of about $20 per hour for the supervisor’s wages, mandatory employment related costs and mileage. This would result in a minimum $60 cost for even a one-hour job, calculating an hour of the supervisor’s time before our guys arrive “on site” and an hour after they leave. Overall, the annual cost to WRYM would have been about $14,000 if much of this cost had not been absorbed by a volunteer supervisor, allowing the program to carry on. However, this volunteer is no longer able to provide this service and so the program must be suspended. I have applied for about $7,600 from the Canada Summer Jobs program to cover some costs this coming June, July and August but, even if we are successful as in the past, I expect to receive about half of the requested amount. Please do see the attachment explaining the impact the Kid Next Door program has had in the community. A Volunteer Painter is Needed  My role as volunteer Executive Director has included a jack-of-all trades approach, and I took some pride in my skills as house painter – but no more, as I now have difficulty holding a paint brush. So, we need a volunteer with suitable skills to paint WRYM’s dining room, main hallway and lower stairway. All materials will be provided, and “assistants” if desired. If you can help, please do contact me to maintain our volunteer community tradition as an example to our guys. Thanks in advance!
Gregory D. Goulin, LSM, JD (ret.), Executive Director, (pro bono), The Windsor Residence for Young Men
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