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Choices secures start-up and operational funding for men’s shelter

April 7, 2022   ·   0 Comments

By Sam Odrowski

Funding has officially been secured for Choices Youth Shelter’s new emergency homeless shelter for men.

Choices purchased a second property for the men’s shelter project in mid-March and funding to cover start-up costs as well as operational costs was officially secured through Dufferin County about a week ago. Funding had always been verbally promised but now is in writing.

Randy Narine, Choices Youth Shelter chair said he’s hoping the men’s facility will be ready to open for June 1 and he couldn’t be more excited to see it come to fruition.

“From the time that we found out that we were going to win the bidding war on the house that we were purchasing, I can’t even tell you how happy I’ve been. It was a great feeling to find that out… it still feels a little surreal,” Narine told the Citizen.

“I knew once I secured that location, based on the open conversations I’ve been having with County this entire time, they would support us in any way that they were capable of.”

About 14 years ago, when going through a separation that left him with nothing, Narine said he almost ended up homeless. From his experience, he’s been motivated to help other men who might be facing similar situations.

“When I was looking for support, I found nothing, like literally nothing for men, and I was disgusted,” he remarked. “At the time, I was living in the GTA. This wasn’t even up here in Dufferin County and it had nothing for men. I was left couch surfing, and if I didn’t have the circle of friends that I had, I would have been homeless. I didn’t have anywhere to stay.”

The start-up costs for the men’s shelter, which involve installing a brand-new fire monitoring system, are estimated to be over $100,000 and are being fully covered by the County of Dufferin. Meanwhile, operational costs are being partially funded, so Choices will have to fundraise to fill the gap, like most not-for-profit organizations that receive government funding. However, Choices is going to be fundraising more heavily this year because the County of Dufferin didn’t receive extra money for the men’s shelter in their annual budget, they had to find the funding. 

“County doesn’t expect to fully fund anything, they expect us to find other means of income as well. They’re not the sole supporters for any organization that they fund,” Narine noted. “But they’re definitely doing their best to help us out in every way possible.”

Narine said the new director of Choices Youth Shelter, Erin Goodyear, will be determining their fundraising strategies and how to adapt them to the COVID-19 pandemic in the coming weeks and months.

“We are going to be looking to the community though for support for the men’s shelter, at least a lot more the first year than possibly the second year. Once County has an assessment after our first year of what the need is for a men’s shelter then they will adjust that [funding] amount based on the need,” Narine explained.

The main operational costs for the men’s shelter will be staffing, security, and utilities.

Narine said he appreciates how the community has responded to Choices’ efforts for getting a homeless men’s shelter started in Dufferin County.

“I just really want to thank the community for their support behind the men’s shelter. If it wasn’t for the community rallying behind this cause, we may not be here right now,” he noted.

The men’s shelter is expected to open June 1.

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