Project Generosity helps with housing solution for vulnerable adults in Barrie
The Camphill Foundation, which supports adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has a new home for two individuals in need thanks to a donation from former board member Terry Kirk, who bequeathed his estate to the foundation when he passed away last year.
"We tried actually before we inherited the home to get a mortgage to be able to purchase a home because we have a waitlist. Many agencies have waitlists. The waitlist in Ontario for supportive housing is actually 23 years long," said Camphill Foundation Executive Director Kathy Downes.
Camphill partnered with the Barrie Construction Association (BCA), which challenged its members to help renovate the house - an operation expected to cost $150,000, called Project Generosity.
- Download the CTV News app free to get local news alerts
- Don't miss breaking news - Sign up for the CTV Newsletter
The BCA is known for helping the community.
"Time and time again, when there's a call to action of need in our community, our members get together and do the right thing and help out who needs help," said BAC Executive Director Alison Smith.
The house will undergo a complete facelift, making it accessible for aging individuals who require support.
"It's going to get stripped down to bare bones. We need to do electrical, mechanical, the HVAC system, furnace, air conditioning," Smith noted.
"Without their assistance, we would probably be fundraising for years," added Downes.
The estate donation allowed the foundation to purchase another property in Barrie's Sophia Creek neighbourhood with a studio for daytime programming that provides a social and community connection for individuals with special needs and helps them avoid falling through the cracks.
Camphill Foundation purchased a house in Barrie to offer programs to vulnerable adults. (CTV News/Ian Duffy)
"Traditionally, they live with their parents well into their 40s, and sometimes, unfortunately, they may find themselves living in housing that's not suitable for them," Downes explained. "We really hope that Project Generosity becomes a living testament in this community of what can happen when you leave a legacy, and it can just transform someone's life."
The BCA asks its members who would like to be involved in the renovation of this donated home to consider providing their best pricing and/or gifts in kind, while individual donors are also welcome to contribute to Project Generosity.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian former Olympic snowboarder wanted in Ontario double homicide: DOJ
A Canadian former Olympic snowboarder who is suspected of being the leader of a transnational drug trafficking group that operated in four countries is wanted for allegedly orchestrating the murder of an 'innocent' couple in Ontario in 2023, authorities say.
Ontario school board trustees under fire for $100K religious art purchase on Italy trip
Trustees with an Ontario school board are responding to criticism over a $45,000 trip to Italy, where they purchased more than $100,000 worth of religious statues.
A photographer snorkeled for hours to take this picture
Shane Gross, a Canadian marine conservation photojournalist, has won the title of Wildlife Photographer of the Year.
Tobacco giants would pay out $32.5 billion to provinces, smokers in proposed deal
Three tobacco giants are proposing to pay close to $25 billion to provinces and territories and more than $4 billion to some 100,000 Quebec smokers and their loved ones as part of a corporate restructuring process triggered by a long-running legal battle.
More Trudeau cabinet ministers not running for re-election, sources say shuffle expected soon
Federal cabinet ministers Filomena Tassi, Carla Qualtrough and Dan Vandal announced Thursday they will not run for re-election. Senior government sources tell CTV News at least one other, Marie-Claude Bibeau, doesn't plan to run again, setting the stage for Justin Trudeau to shuffle his cabinet in the coming weeks.
Robert Pickton's handwritten book seized after his death in hopes of uncovering new evidence
A handwritten book was seized from B.C. serial killer Robert Pickton's prison cell following his death earlier this year, raising hopes of uncovering new evidence in a series of unprosecuted murders.
Former members of One Direction say they're 'completely devastated' by Liam Payne's death
The former members of English boy band One Direction reacted publicly to the sudden death of their bandmate, Liam Payne, for the first time on Thursday, saying in a joint statement that they're 'completely devastated.'
Israel says it has killed top Hamas leader Yayha Sinwar in Gaza
Israeli forces in Gaza killed top Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar, a chief architect of last year's attack on Israel that sparked the war, the military said Thursday. Troops appeared to have run across him unknowingly in a battle, only to discover afterwards that a body in the rubble was Israel's most wanted man.
Indian government employee charged in foiled murder-for-hire plot in New York City
The U.S. Justice Department announced criminal charges Thursday against an Indian government employee in connection with a foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist leader living in New York City.