NEWS RELEASE
LIGHTHOUSE SOUP KITCHEN AND SHELTER
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The Orillia Home Hardware Store is Building Hope.
The popular West Street store announced at its annual Ladies Night event that it is donating $50,000 to Building Hope, the fundraising campaign behind a new community services hub to be built at 75 Queen St.
To be constructed over three phases, the new facility will consist of an emergency shelter, supportive housing and affordable housing.
The emergency shelter replaces our current shelter and will consist of 40 emergency shelter beds for men, women and youth in addition to family units and Canadian Mental Health Association safe beds. This space will also include our Soup Kitchen and Cafe.
The supportive housing phase of development will begin construction in the spring and will consist of 20 units. Affordable housing units will be constructed as the final stage of the property’s development.
A range of wraparound supports will be offered in one warm, welcoming place, using a Housing First approach.
All the services clients might need will have a single point of access, provided on-site by both the Lighthouse and community agencies who share the same commitment to the same people.
Services include:
- Case management
- Addictions and mental health counselling
- Spiritual guidance
- Assistance for people involved with the criminal justice system, including legal aid and court support
- Lifeskills training (cooking, budgeting)
- Employment support and work readiness
- Primary health care
- Housing referrals and rent supplements
- Recreational and social activities.
The Building Hope goal is to raise about $9.6 million from the community.
In addition to the $50,000 commitment from Orillia Home Hardware, some significant donations have already been made:
- Anonymous Donor: $50,000
- Franklin Foundation: $50,000
- Sawatsky Chartered Professional Accountants: $40,000
- Georgian Northern District – Simcoe Masons: $15,000
- The Odlozinski Family: $12,000
- International Union of Painters and Allied Trades: $10,000
- Orillia Lions Club: $10,000
For more information, visit The Lighthouse Facebook page or the website, email [email protected] or call 705-329-2265.
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