Barrie's Youth Haven is doing a callout to the community regarding their capital campaign for a new home.
The campaign, "New Haven for Youth Haven," launched in September 2022, and so far they have raised roughly $300,000 of their $2 million goal.
Lucy Gowers, executive director for Youth Haven, emphasized to Barrie 360 that the current location has done its job, but isn't sustainable for the long term.
"We've been in this location for at least 13 years, and we've had up to 25 people staying at the shelter plus our staff, that's a lot of wear and tear," said Gowers. "One thing that we don't want to do is continuously put money towards repairs when we know that we have a brand new build on the horizon."
The Simcoe County Home Builders’ Association (SCHBA) partnered with the shelter on the project - which will be at the same 20-22 Wellington Street East location.
Gowers says they are aiming for a spring 2024 completion date.
She says from demolition and construction to opening the doors will take around two months. During that period, the youths will be transitioned to a hotel, like they did during the pandemic.
Final plans for the new build were recently completed.
"I think it's important for us to be able to remind our community that this is happening," said Gowers, and noted that the battle will continue.
"Once we build our new shelter, it doesn't just end there, we still have to make sure that we've got the funds to keep the doors open."
For more information about the campaign and to donate, click here.
About Youth Haven:
Youth Haven provides emergency shelter and essential services for youth experiencing homelessness. As Simcoe County’s only emergency shelter for youth experiencing homelessness, Youth Haven also provides outreach services and programs to at-risk youth in Barrie, Orillia, Midland, southern Georgian Bay, and south Simcoe. For over 30 years, Youth Haven has helped youth aged 16 - 24 through crisis intervention and programming, care management, transitional housing, and outreach.
About the Simcoe County Home Builders’ Association:
The Simcoe County Home Builders’ Association (SCHBA) represents builders, developers, renovators, sub-contractors, suppliers and building industry professionals in Simcoe County. Simcoe County is the region immediately north of the Greater Golden Horseshoe which is home to approximately 450,000 people and has an employment base of 230,000 jurisdictions.
Banner image - file photo - Barrie 360
