Newsletter
Volume 3, Issue 1: April 2010
"Kay’shi’daay’ing—Where
We Live."
HUB Executive
Nan Normand,Co-Chair
Ralph Page, Co-Chair, Treasurer
Pieter Joubert, Secretary
Don Denver, Emily Goss, Dan Jorgensen, Karen Essery, Shirley Kelly, Frank Kowal, Erika Olson, Diane Pelletier, Joan Schelske
What is Making Kenora HOME?
A concerned group working on solutions for homelessness in our community.
Guiding Principles
- EQUALITY: We are all created equal within this world that we share
- INCLUSION: Every person living in Kenora is a part of our community
- SHARING: As a community we must care for each other
- SELF DETERMINATION: Each person has the right to choose his or her own path providing that path does not hurt another
- EMPOWERMENT: We are accountable for our own actions and need to look inward first before looking outward for change
How do we achieve this?
- Community education and awareness about homelessness and poverty
- Promoting the implementation of our May 2007 report Community Solutions For Affordable Housing Projects
- Community caring projects to address poverty.
Why is Making Kenora HOME important to us?
- Stable housing is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty
- Kenora will become a more inclusive and caring community.
Potential landlords who are interested in developing affordable rental units within our community
Contact Nan Normand at 468-8888
WEEK OF ACTION AGAINST POVERTY
Our community’s fourth action week stimulated many creative responses to the multi-layered issue of poverty in Kenora. Local musicians took their messages of hope to concerts benefiting the emergency shelter as well as to YouTube.
Local businesses also offered fundraising activities. Haps dedicated all of March’s Beef on a Bun profits to the Kenora Fellowship Centre. The Cornerstone and Shooters hosted concerts. The staff at CICB and Scotiabank wore red, collected food and donated funds to the winter hostel program. A local photographer donated art for auction and created a Love Out Loud calendar that put together scenes of local beauty with inspirational words for sale with all proceeds directed to the Fellowship Centre.
Also benefiting the emergency shelter were donations from the Lions Club, Four Directions Aboriginal Toastmasters, St. Thomas Aquinas High School, Morningstar Centre and Bindigen Learning Centre. Legal Aid and the Northwest Community Legal Clinic organized an Olympic Spirit fundraiser with donations going to Triple Play.
Bring a Tin for the Bin*
*Bins located at Extra Foods, Safeway, Recreation Centre, Northwest Community Legal Clinic and all Making Kenora Home events
Further Information:
www.makingkenorahome.ca
HOME PROGRESS REPORT…
BUILDING FORWARD
Aamikkowiish Non-Profit Housing has received conditional approval of $2.89 million to construct or acquire seven transitional units for women leaving abusive partners and 10 permanent family units. The grant was awarded by the Ontario Aboriginal Housing Support Services Corporation through the First Nations Inuit Metis Urban Rural housing program. Members of the Kenora Affordable Housing working group included Erika Olson (Womens Place), Bev Williamson (Ontario Native Women’s Association), Penny Cummine (Saakaate House) and Carol Blight Aamikkowiish Non-Profit Housing). It was the commitment of these women that moved the project forward from a vision to construction. A special commendation goes to Aamikkowiish. Of the four non-profit social housing boards within our community, it was the smallest group that stepped up to build forward.
The funding crisis that almost closed the doors at our local
emergency shelter has generated further community
commitment. The facebook based campaign undertaken by
Making Kenora Home generated $10,000 to offset the $40,000
loss incurred by the Kenora Fellowship Centre when they
kept their doors open despite truncated funding.
Trillium Founding further announced $150,00.00
funding to be spread over 3 years.
In addition, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund
Corporation has funded a Sustainability Funding & Public Relations Intern position which will
provide expertise to the Fellowship Centre for the
development of a feasible business plan that will allow
for 24/7 operation as well as the continuance of the
winter hostel program.
The Kenora
Metis Warmth and Wellness Group’s week long Knit-A-Thon
produced 36 units of winter wear which were part of their
distribution to the needy.
Kenora Patricia donated the first printing of the
third booklet in the Homeless in Kenora series. Ho Jo’s
hosted the book launch with their usual care.
Demand has been high and the booklet has had two
subsequent print runs.
Kenora’s
faith community continued their annual prayers against
poverty vigil. Several
local groups took their caring into the community soup
kitchens including the KPC&FS Residential Youth
Program, Nechee Centre and Making Kenora Home.
The specially prepared meals and camaraderie were
much appreciated.
Other fundraisers included the Community Friends Bake Sale, the $20 community challenge and Anti-Racism Day Art Exhibit silver collection. Again, Making Kenora Home is proud to announce that the caring and sharing in Kenora outpaced our ability to track all of the events.
Upcoming Events
Walk Together Support for the Fellowship Hope for the Homeless April 24, 2010, 10 a.m. Devil’s Gap Marina to Fellowship Centre Walk Coordinator: Nancy Morrison |
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HUNGER DOESN’T TAKE A VACATION
August Food Drive Fellowship Centre Street Picnics