Safe 'N Sound is a happening place lately. There's a lot of positive energy, and community building resulting from our latest project - the Residents Support Program.
In February of this year, work began on renovating the four apartments located on the second and third floors above The Space, at 310 8th St. East. Our landlord was in full support of our goal to provide safe, affordable housing for those in most need; an effort to break the cycle of poverty, the cycle of 'never catching up.' With the donated manpower of many of our participants, the generous donations of materials and household goods from the Re-store, Bibles for Missions, and other community members, as well as a grant from the Orange Door – an affiliation of Home Depot, these apartments were cleaned, painted, repaired, furnished and are now housing five residents. We have the capacity to serve eight people in this program, and are looking to find at least two more at the present time. As the rent generated from this project helps us to pay our monthly lease, we can happily say that, to date, the program is self-sustaining.
Bi-monthly meetings are held and facilitated by Connie Mckay, the program coordinator at Safe 'N Sound. The residents have established their own guidelines and stipulations for taking part in this program, through these meetings they sort out differences of opinion, and work towards their goals and expectations. This is a work in progress, taking time, requiring perseverance and patience, which, fortunately, our residents are displaying admirably.
Many new programs will be introduced at the Space in the fall, these have been specifically requested by participants of the Space and our residents –
1.) Beginner's Yoga – still looking for someone to teach this program, if anyone is interested, please call us.
2.) Informal "Drop In" Harm Reduction Group in partnership with Mental Health Ontario.
3.) Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions in partnership with South West Self-Management Health Team
4.) Weekly meetings of AA beginning began in July – Fridays, 3:00 – 4:00 pm
5.) Pilot Cooking Program, funded by Grey County –combining aspects of a community kitchen with an educational cooking program.
We would like to encourage friends of Safe 'N Sound to become members of Safe 'N Sound. Come in some afternoon and see what happens here, be informed. Most importantly, find out how you can help us in our mission to grow, and, if you'd be willing to serve on our board, all the better!
source: media release, Safe 'N Sound
