Dalton & Dave increase support for homeless men

NEWS RELEASE

DAVID ORAZIETTI, MPP

************************* Orazietti announces $50,000 to improve shelter for men in Sault Ste. Marie

McGuinty government supports constructive community programs at Vincent Place

SAULT STE. MARIE - The McGuinty Government is supporting a shelter for men in Sault Ste. Marie with a $50,000 investment to Vincent Place David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

“Our government recognizes that a lack of shelter is a serious barrier to attaining employment and becoming a productive member of our community,” said Orazietti. “With this investment, we are helping Vincent Place provide local men with the shelter they need, while they acquire the life-skills and training necessary to become self-supporting residents of Sault Ste. Marie.”

This provincial investment, through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF), will help Vincent Place hire a case manager to help men in Sault Ste. Marie find long-term housing, as well as take the necessary steps to integrate into the community.

The new funding will also help to hire a full-time employee to manage a thrift store and find additional sources of revenue.

“We are currently improving development activities, providing our staff with workshops and proper training while building community partnerships with other agencies to offer the best service for our residents. Community partnership is extremely important to us to provide the best care for our clients. We are appreciative of the financial contribution from the Trillium Foundation - without this support, we could not achieve our desired goals - thank you,” said Harold Thompson, Vincent Place general manager.

Vincent Place was formed in Paris in 1833 to work with the poor and is now present in 130 countries around the world.

The Sault Ste. Marie branch started in May 2002 as an operating emergency shelter for homeless men.

Now, Vincent Place is not only a men’s shelter, but also operates a soup kitchen, thrift store and food bank.

The organization also offers intensive and specialized programming to reduce anxiety, provide hope, as well as encouraging empowerment and increased self reliance.

Other McGuinty Government initiatives and support to local groups total over $3 million dollars and include such organizations such as:

- $58,700 Community Living Algoma

- $40,000 Christy’s Light Foundation

- $40,000 Phoenix Rising Non-Profit Homes Inc.

- $5,000 Program Read Sault Ste. Marie

- $80,000 Sault International Youth Association

- $61,000 Canadian Red Cross Sault Ste. Marie

- $75,000 Pauline’s Place Non-Profit Homes

- $57,400 Success through Schools c/o CAS

- $53,000 Big Brothers/Big Sisters Associations of Sault Ste. Marie

- $68,500 Learning Disabilities Association $120,000 Rebound North

- $80,000 Algoma Residential Community Hospice.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation is an agency of the Government of Ontario and supports the growth and vitality of community-based initiatives across the province.

OTF continues to strengthen the capacity of the volunteer sector through investments in community-based initiatives. For more information, please visit here.

*************************