The Rotary Club of Peterborough and the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha each presented a cheque for $25,000 to the YES Shelter for Youth and Families on Wednesday (March 23) in support of a housing project for youth and families in Peterborough.
The funds will help build two new housing units for YES’s RISE Youth Housing Program, as well as renovate an existing 12-plex building to allow for additional capacity.
“Many of our members feel very strongly about housing in Peterborough, so this is a natural fit,” says Wayne Harding, president of the Rotary Club of Peterborough, in a media release.
RISE is a transitional housing program that provides youth with a safe and secure place to live. By helping to end youth homelessness, the program also reduces the adult homeless population.
Program participants pay a monthly fee, are responsible for specific chores, and are expected to participate in house meetings. When participants leave the program, they have the skills to live on their own and typically finish high school, proceeding either to college or university or into full-time stable employment.
“We are proud of our community involvement with this project and pleased to work with the Peterborough club to make this important project happen,” says Carl Brown, president of the Rotary Club of Peterborough Kawartha.
Peterborough Rotary Club has also committed an additional $50,000 towards the project, for a total donation of $100,000 between the two clubs. The donation is part of Rotary’s centennial celebrations.
YES executive director Aimee Le Lagadéc points out the homelessness rate in Peterborough is “far too high” and that housing has not become more available or affordable through the pandemic.
“We also know that transitional housing is typically required for young people and families exiting homelessness,” she says. “The RISE program and these two additional units will save lives and mean a significant decrease in homelessness in Peterborough over time. We are extremely grateful to the Rotary clubs in Peterborough for this help.”
The project will begin this spring and will be completed by summer of 2023.
