Above: Andrea Hayes and Marla Champion and Nancy Lovelock with Harris Bear

(Following is part of letter from Lindsay Rice, executive director https://ywcaste.ca/project-tiny-hope/) Project Tiny Hope is a community collaborative of local partners who are invested in improving housing stability and creating innovative solutions at a local level. To that end the YWCA St. Thomas-Elgin, Sanctuary Homes, and Doug Tarry Homes came together to meet this need. As organizations we share a common vision, that with housing and supports tailored to the needs of an individual, we can reduce experiences of homelessness and -improve housing-stability for marginalized populations with especial focus on youth, women, and families. We have purchased and remediated the property at 21 Kains Street as our first steps to creating a new affordable housing community in downtown St. Thomas.

The creation of the Tiny Hope community will be inclusive to diverse populations which will include youth, adults, and seniors in the housing mix. Homelessness is complicated in nature and has long term effects on health and wellbeing. With increasing rental rates and limited housing stock, many individuals and families find themselves living in substandard conditions and are forced to make critical choices between paying for food or paying for rent. Because of this, our community desperately needs to create supportive housing options that are safe and affordable. With case management support and stable housing, vulnerable people have a foundation to build upon as they work towards economic security, wellness, and community connectedness.

Project Tiny Hope will consist of a series of tiny homes and low-rise apartment building. Each private unit will be equipped with a fully operational kitchen, laundry, washroom and living area. The tiny home model, built to Net Zero Ready standard, provides a comfortable living space that is energy efficient, secure and private for individuals and small families. A significant portion of units will be offered at deeply affordable rental rates and all units will be less than market rent. Our plan is that the main floor of the apartment building will include a large community space for residents to build relationships and gather for events and workshops along with a teaching kitchen for community meals and food security programming. Meeting rooms will be available for private counselling meetings. An onsite community garden, naturalized playground and amenities pad will enhance the community environment.

The need for housing is great - with over 1000 households on our local social housing waitlist, we know the time to act is now. As a housing provider the YWCA operates 4 youth homes, 2 adult residences and 5 scattered site apartment units. Project Tiny Hope will allow us to grow our housing program and services.

We recognize you as an ally who shares a common vision - safe, affordable, and stable housing as the foundation of a healthy and vibrant community. We look forward to speaking with you further about this critical housing project and hope you will join us!

The following are notes from Andrea Hayes’s presentation:

Doug Tarry did the land rehabilitation. 950 people are waiting for affordable housing because even a 2 income family can’t make rent payments. 16 – 18 year olds are the most impacted by homelessness because they are cast out of their birth home; “couch surfing” is their first attempt to find housing. Many are tossed from their home because the landlord is selling the property. Many live in unhealthy/unsafe housing. 100 years ago there was also a need for housing; that lead to the YMCA’s current 17 room emergency housing building behind the post office.

Courtney’s story: She was removed from her home at age 12, moved many times, felt abandoned, abused, physically and emotionally traumatized, then started to harm herself. She found a new roommate and got connected to a social worker specializing in mental health/well being support. Her educational career continued at Lambton College.

Home is a feeling and a place for human connections and support. Many people are a breath away from another personal crisis. Part of the solution is a youth homelessness protocol so best practices can be adopted across Canada.

Questions and Answers:
Stew – Is there any talk of a Right to own a home? Not a realistic objective.

Mark – Is there any sense that people don’t want this project in their “back yard”?

Pat – Question about Harmony House

Cindy – Is there competition for funds for homelessness? Emergency shelter and transitional housing are 2 different concepts.

Nancy thanked our speakers.

 

 

Rotary Ranch party, Rotary Club of London, Rotary Ranch Party

 

District Conference will be virtual, Social time on the Friday evening in Flint Michigan.

 

Cindy spoke of a raffle for a tapis dinner hosted in your house by a chef: https://www.hydeparkrotary.org/

 

Malcolm spoke of news from “Zigfried” inbound from Norway when Marco Jr went to Norway; just got married, did Masters of History and working at museum; husband teaches at University re terrorism.

 

Happy Finns - Trudy won the 50/50.

Mark – today’s speakers

Ron – Son at Disney, Easter greetings, cruise in Caribbean, today’s speakers, club agreed to replace our heavy bell with the “Bell from Hell” Grand Caymen

Trudy – winning 50/50, Greek Easterm, husband Nick made dinner, today’s speakers

Margie – grandson out of high school on contract with SWCC to maintain warfare craft for special forces of the Navy Seals!!

Bill - today’s speakers, daughter

Nancy – brother visited, Raptors on a role

Catharine – Post Easter Tribute

Cindy – Austin Matthews got 60 goals this season, setting a record

Malcolm - today’s speakers, Cindy’ support for our club

 

Fines were levied for not having a Fine Master.

 

Rotary London Ranch Party at Helenic Centre London 6May22

 

Railway City Rotary Club Fish Fry at St Anne’s $35 advance ticket sales only https://www.facebook.com/strcrc

 

Gerry donated an NHL Jersey to the Tour fundraiser to be raffled

 

Trish asked members to sign up for the following events:

From Malcolm: We are so excited that Gay Lea Dairy Museum & CEC is re-opening Thursday, May 5, 2022 from 11-4 We will be open Thursdays to Sundays during these hours.  However, should you call ahead, we may be able to schedule an appointment between Monday & Wednesday. Please visit our website at www.cec-dairymuseum.com for more information.

 

Fine Master: Barbara asked what week this is in the Rotary World: Immunization week. Polio Plus does the following: 1- stops the spread of Polio 2- Promotes the equitable distribution of vaccines 3- Combats misinformation about vaccines.

 

50/50 was won by Malcolm

Malcolm – good to be in person at Rotary, got 4^th vaccine, Gerry Catharine back, Discovery tour

Trish – good to be present, people signed up for events

Maggie – bday, went Columbus Ohio to see family, 35 minute wait on return.

Nancy – went Indiana to see family, waited at border

Bill – Easter bunny , stopped to see cousin in Mansfield, saw lots of snow

Mark – We should start talking about Discovery Tour so people can budget for tickets, reported about sponsors

Trudy – Saw brother at Easter, Marks work Discovery Tour, setting up club’s spot for Home Show

Mary – happy to be here

Barb – family home, niece from Congo with UN(commander there) visited

 

Malcolm – Laurie’s presentation, Malcolm’s birthday next week, Nancy’s fine work as Fine Master

Ron – Son’s 50^th birthday, grandson’s 10^th birthday, family over Covid and Ron did not get it, Laurie’s presentation

Maggie – Laurie’s talk, Maggie’s birthday is on Easter, remembering Ukraine and the people suffering effects of war

Nancy – Laurie’s presentation, Nancy’s birthday is April 19^th

Mark – Laurie’s presentation and his empathy for those who are homeless including a family member

Barbara – Laurie’s talk, daughter got COVID, but recovered, Julien heading to Kamloops soon to resume work, Ashley able to get out socially

 

Rotary Club of Grand Bend – Ron and Barbara both received notice of surplus cleaning materials (see pic below) related to coping with Covid that their club is willing to share these.  Malcolm contacted the Inn to verify if they have a current need.  They have received extra supplies and do not require further at this time.  If any club member is aware of a need in our community, please contact the Rotary Club of Grand Bend