Rising construction costs mean millions more in funding is needed for Orillia’s new homeless shelter and community services hub.
Officials with the Lighthouse shelter and Building Hope officially launched the public phase of the campaign Wednesday, appealing to the community to help close the gap.
While $11 million has been secured for the new shelter to be built on Queen Street, construction costs have gone up 40 per cent. That means another $3 million is needed.
“If we can get it by the time we open, we can be mortgage free,” said Linda Goodall, executive director at the Lighthouse. “Then, we can put everything back into our operations.”
People can help in a variety of ways, including purchasing “legacy gifts.” They include lawn signs, engraved bricks and benches, as well as naming rights for certain sections of the new facility.
The cost of the gifts ranges from $100 to $10,000. To purchase a legacy gift, or for more information, click here.
Lynn Thomas, development co-ordinator at the Lighthouse, noted the benefits of providing shelter at the facility. For example, the cost of providing services to an individual at the shelter is one-10th of the cost of putting that person in a hospital bed.
It’s about more than money, though, she added.
“The donor will help change the lives of (those) who have no hope left, no resources left.”
As Goodall explained, there are often misconceptions about what the Lighthouse provides. It’s more than a shelter, she said, noting it also offers housing referrals and has a motel voucher program for women and their families in need.
Just this week, a family of five went to the Lighthouse because there was flooding in their home and they didn’t have the resources to find other accommodations.
In addition to donations and legacy gifts, people can help by attending the inaugural Building Hope Country Gala on May 31 at Casino Rama. Tickets cost $150 each or $1,400 for a table of 10. The event will feature a performance by Juno-nominated country musician Jason McCoy. More information about that fundraiser can be found here.
Officials also announced the groundbreaking ceremony for Building Hope will take place May 5 at 2 p.m. at 75 Queen St. The public is invited to attend the event, which will include refreshments and a performance by a mass choir.
Building Hope will include a community services hub as well as 20 supportive housing units. It is anticipated the supportive housing units will be finished about a year and a half after the groundbreaking, with the hub expected to be completed six months after that.
