K-W REALTORS® present REACHING OUR OUTDOOR FRIENDS with donation

KITCHENER-WATERLOO, ON (January 12, 2012) – Today Sara Hill, president of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) presented Reaching Our Outdoor Friends (ROOF) Board Chair, Henry Dejong with a cheque for $6,255 to assist with their programs and services that help break the cycle of youth homelessness.

Programs provided by ROOF include job and life skills development, alternative school options, medical care, behavioral and impulse control skills, counseling, and shelter.  In addition to relevant programming, ROOF continues to provide for the basic needs – food, hygiene, care, and support of the homeless or at-risk youth in Waterloo Region.

“Our REALTOR® members are proud to assist worthy organizations such as ROOF,” says President Hill. “It’s one of the ways we can give back to our community and help improve our area’s quality of life.”

Speaking on behalf of ROOF, Dejong said, “We remain grateful to organizations like the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® for their willingness to partner with us and embrace our belief that one youth on the street is one too many. “

The donation is the result of ROOF’s grant application to the REALTORS® Care Foundation (RCF). The REALTORS® Care Foundation acts on behalf of Ontario REALTORS® in funding shelter-related charities across the province.  The KWAR is proud to support the RCF, through the Every REALTOR® Campaign, ensuring that investments are made back in our community through local charities.

Since 1993 the KWAR has donated more than half a million ($500,000) dollars to support local charities. REALTORS® believe that healthy communities depend on a strong economy, safe neighbourhoods, a clean environment, access to housing and the protection of rights of property owners. The KWAR recognizes the need to support and enhance the Quality of Life enjoyed by residents of Waterloo region.