The Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) recently provided grants totaling $40,261 to six deserving local shelter-based causes.

 

The successful recipients of KWAR’s 2021 grants were:

 

• • • Habitat for Humanity Waterloo Region
    • Indwell
    • OneRoof
    • Shelter Movers Waterloo Region
    • The Working Centre
    • Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region

 

The funding comes from the $2 per member per month KWAR donates to the Ontario REALTORS Care Foundation (ORCF) as part of their Every REALTOR® Campaign which ensures investments are made back into our local community through shelter-related causes.

 

“Far too many people in our community are facing housing and shelter challenges,” says KWAR President Megan Bell. “We know it is going to take a variety of approaches and solutions to address the wide-ranging challenges being faced in our community. As REALTORS® we are proud to support the many dedicated charities working hard to help those struggling across the housing and shelter spectrum.”

 

 

Quotes from our Grant Recipients:

 

With the generous grant from Realtors Care, Shelter Movers Waterloo Region will be able to support approximately 18 survivors transition to a life free from violence by creating a survivor-centered response.

Courtney Waterfall

Chapter Director, Shelter Movers

 

 

Indwell is deeply grateful to the Kitchener Waterloo Association of Realtors. The grant given will go towards Indwell’s first project in Waterloo Region, St. Mark’s Place, a forty-three-unit supportive affordable housing community at 825 King Street West in Kitchener.

Mark Willcock

Community Engagement Coordinator

 

 

Thank you to the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS for making a difference. The grant will be used for oneROOF Youth Services Lifeline Program providing youth who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, ages 12-25, in Waterloo Region with Essential Services Program and Drop-In Program Services. These programs assist youth in securing basic daily needs, establishing goals, developing life skills and utilize additional resources to maintain their health and safety. We believe one youth on the street is one too many. Thank you for your generosity and for sharing in our mission.

Bonnie Kropf

Fund Developer oneROOF Youth Services

 

 

The Working Centre presently is working on some significant housing initiatives including building 19 new affordable housing units, supporting 80 people who were formerly homeless in a dorm residence, 70 people in motels, and recently we opened a emergency shelter at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian church which offers indoor shelter for 50 people. This work takes tremendous coordination and commitment. The generous support of the Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS is deeply appreciated.

 

Joe Mancini

Director, The Working Centre

 

 

Through Covid-19, domestic violence has increased and escalated, which means we have had to provide increased supports. Because of this grant from Realtors Care, we can provide safe shelter, warm meals and therapeutic programming for approximately 73 days for a mother and child working towards moving beyond violence.

Jennifer Hutton, CEO

Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region