Even with an increase in donations, the Downtown Mission in Windsor faced a dilemma. It had trouble meeting the demands it found in the community.
"The truth is our numbers aren't down. They're up," said Executive Director Ron Dunn. "But the need outpaces the donation. So, you know we raise $100, but we actually need $125."
Dunn came up with a unique idea. What if the Mission went into business for itself; attempted to become self-sustaining. With his own printing know-how and a $497,000 grant over three years from the Ontario Trillium Fund, he created Chari-Tees.
"Chari-Tees is not just for great big corporations looking for t-shirts," said Dunn. "If you want one t-shirt, or one mug, or one keychain, we can help you with that."
Dunn said he did the research and discovered that there was room for one more business in Windsor-Essex that made promotional materials. And, Chari-Tees has a unique selling point.
"Why wouldn't you buy your promotional products from the Mission, where your t-shirt can also buy lunch for somebody," he explained.
The program achieves two goals. It not only raises much-needed cash to support the Mission's various programs, but it also addresses the root of the homelessness problem; putting people to work.
Shipping crates of donated materials from Vista Print for the Chari-Tees program, September 30, 2019. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)
Chari-Tees, which is holding an open house Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week is a partnership with Vista Print. Vista Print donates t-shirts, ballcaps, bags, and sweatshirts to the Downtown Mission. The Mission embroiders the materials for sale. Clients in the program learn how to manage stock, design, use embroidery and printing machines, and sell the final product.
Among their clients, Fight Like Mason and Super Ethan Steps, organizations that like the Mission are trying to improve the quality of life for residents living in the Windsor area.
In the classroom, the clients learn how to write an effective resume and how to conduct a successful job interview.
They are not limited to Chari-Tees either. The Downtown Mission is also showing clients the ropes in its Do Good Deli and in the Mission's kitchen where hundreds of Windsor's most vulnerable population are fed.
"Today I worked in the kitchen, and I loved it," said Natasha, who did not give her last name. She hopes one day soon to get a job as a team member at Tim Horton's.
Ronnie, a client at the Downtown Mission's Chari-Tees program September 30, 2019. (Photo by Adelle Loiselle)
For Mojo, as she prefers to be addressed, the program has given her a clear path from her life as a stay-at-home mother to a full-time job. Right now, that is at Chari-Tees, but she is looking for other opportunities too.
"It would take me a lot to leave here because this is a great place to work. Everyone is so down to earth and relaxed. It's a good environment," she said. "Everyone is there for each other. It would have to take a really good job to leave here."
Many of the clients are newcomers to Canada; a teacher, a bank manager from Nigeria, even a former professional soccer player from Sudan. They are all looking for a fresh start.
And it works.
"You know, I went to Wendy's, and there was a young lady there who had not worked in a number of years. A single mom. She's been there two years," said Dunn. "Leon's Furniture. We have somebody there. Tim Horton's has been very good to us. They hire a lot of our folks."
The open house on Tuesday is from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday.
