For many years the idea of offering clients a place to live on a long term basis was just a struggle for the tireless counsellors of Interval House’s Shelter and Community Support programs. Housing applications would be filled out, over and over again, but the women who sought safety with us would face too many barriers and a shortage of supply in our community.
In rural Lanark County, there aren’t many high rise buildings, few social housing initiatives or housing co-operatives. Affordable, decent rentals are hard to find and so our clients face a situation more difficult than it should be. The fear of leaving domestic violence and the real threat of danger when they chose to do so are enough to make seeking safety too hard for some. It isn’t fair that even when women are their bravest, they come up short simply due to a lack of available rentals units in the county.
Then one day, an idea popped into a businessman’s head. An opportunity, as he puts it.
As a long standing supporter of LCIHCS, Duncan McNaughton, President of Tiree Facility Solutions Inc. would regularly check in on the work of the agency and explore its evolution and activities. From time to time over the last 10 years, the goal of second stage housing would rise but government funding opportunities were extremely limited.
But in the spring of 2017, Duncan suggested that perhaps the team of Tiree could offer a gift of sorts – a facility that would remain the asset of the company but would be retrofitted and set up for Second Stage Housing. Our first year lease would allow LCIHCS the opportunity to get adjusted and begin the program and after 5 years we would discuss the details of paying on the capital. Tiree invested approximately $1.2 million and hundreds of hours of person power into this caring project in an effort to offer women a hand up.
Duncan McNaughton with survivor advocate Heather Imming.
With a big idea, the LCIHCS and Tiree teams started taking action. There was no doubt that the women needed a new option. There was no doubt that the units would fill and be an integral component to women rebuilding their lives. But how would it all happen? Where would all the money come from?
Although Tiree was putting up a huge amount of money and hands-on support, without any government funding, LCIHCS needed to find a lot more money within the community to make this project happen. So the phone calls and the pitches started.
We won’t claim it was easy, but we will tell you this, our community stood up and said yes.
RE/MAX Affiliates Realty Ltd, Carleton Place was the first to sign on to sponsor a unit. Then came Wendy Childs and Jessi Czank of Scotiabank Home Financing Solutions, Ernie and Brenda Rowe, and Lindsay & Corey Bechamps. It was clear our community believed in the women who would fill these units, who would find home within these walls. Each group created a stunning unit, picking out furniture and accessories that they knew would make the women feel at home.
Other local organizations also saw the need for these homes and stepped up to help make it happen:
Ontario Trillium Foundation
United Way Lanark County
United Way Simcoe County
Rotary Club of Carleton Place & Mississippi Mills
The Town of Carleton Place
Perth & District Community Foundation
100 Women of Caring Lanark County
And then, finally, on a cool but sunny day in late October 2018, the doors opened. Only a few tweaks away from being able to welcome the women and children in need of safe homes, we were able to invite the people who made what was once only a desperate need into a reality to come tour the property and see what they had created for our community.
The place was packed. Local business people, representatives from other agencies, community politicians, LCIHCS board members and staff stood proudly as they listened to some of the key players speak to the importance of second stage housing and why they chose to be a part of the project. There were very few dry eyes in the room.
Accepting her acknowledgement plaque, Lindsay Bechamps, one of the unit sponsors, spoke perfectly to the reason why it was an easy choice to be a part of the project. “We called our unit Grace’s Place because when I was shopping for it, I would think of my daughter, Grace, and what I would want to buy for her future home to make her feel loved and happy. Every woman who walks through these doors is someone’s daughter. They are all someone’s daughter and they deserve a beautiful home.”
When Duncan took his turn at the microphone he was clear about his intention to do the right thing and invited all others to do the same. “This was an opportunity, an opportunity to do good in our community, an opportunity to do what’s right. We invite all of you to open your arms to the same opportunity.”
“This was an opportunity, an opportunity to do good in our community, an opportunity to do what’s right. We invite all of you to open your arms to the same opportunity.”
A year since opening the doors to the first Second Stage housing in Lanark County, we remain filled with pride and gratitude for what has been created. The families that have lived in these apartments have celebrated birthdays and holidays, enjoyed the garden, played, laughed and made their space their home. Of course, they also have had to face the continuing challenges that come with surviving abuse – the psychological effects of trauma, the complicated family court system, barriers to employment and so much more. Their fight isn’t over yet, but at least they have a safe and warm place to lay their heads each night. They have a place to call home.
If you would like to support our Second Stage programming and be a part of the legacy made possible by Tiree Facility Solutions Inc, please get in touch with our Resource Development Coordinator: fundraising@lcih.com
