A Windsor non-profit agency is working with Home Depot to raise funds for homeless and at-risk youth.
The Home Depot Canada Foundation's Orange Door Project is teaming up with the Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM) for a fundraiser that kicked off Thursday at the Home Depot store on Walker Road and Division in south Windsor. From now until June 23, customers are invited to donate $2 at checkout or online, with all proceeds going to the WRYM.
The WRYM supports 16 to 24-year-old males as they transition from homelessness to being positive contributors to the community. According to a media release, WRYM provides a transitional residence and individual counselling while teaching basic life skills such as hygiene, food acquisition and preparation, budgeting, social responsibility and work ethic.
WRYM board of directors member Dave Freeman said every little bit helps since they are almost completely supported by the community.
"Our program depends almost entirely on the generosity of the community," said Freeman. "We are very grateful to Home Depot Canada and the Walker and Division store for their support. We can assure donors that WRYM is both effective and efficient, we have a ninety per cent success rate. We do not duplicate services of other agencies, and funding goes direct to the program. Our administration is done free of charge by volunteers."
The Orange Door Project works with Home Depot locations across Canada toward efforts to prevent and end youth homelessness. Over 120 organizations are supported through this initiative nationwide.
To donate online, visit the Orange Door Project official website and choose "Windsor-7228" from the drop-down menu.
Windsor Residence for Young Men president Susan Freeman, left; Home Depot assistant manager Sherri Jean and WRYM director Dave Freeman at the launch of the Orange Door Project at the Home Depot in south Windsor, May 30, 2019. Photo submitted by Brian Worrall.
