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Canada Newswire - Press Release
Construction begins on new youth shelterCAMBRIDGE, July 3,
2003 /CNW/ - The Argus Residence for Young People, an
emergency and transitional shelter for homeless youth between
the ages of 15- 24, celebrated the start of construction on a
10-bed shelter with an official
ground breaking ceremony today. "The construction of this
shelter demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to
providing housing for at-risk and homeless youth," said Janko
Peric, Member of Parliament for Cambridge on behalf of the
Honourable Steven Mahoney, Secretary of State responsible for
Canada Mortgage and Housing
Corporation. "This new shelter will not only provide a safe,
stable
environment for homeless youth, but will also teach them
essential life skills. Federal strategies to address youth
issues are helping those most in need at the community level,
and this project is a prime example." Eva Vlasov, Executive
Director of Argus Residence said, "This new shelter is the
result of a group of individuals, businesses, CMHC and Human
Resources Development Canada coming together to support young
people in our area. These
10 new spaces for homeless youth are a significant addition
and will allow our community to respond with appropriate
housing and counseling services for youth in very difficult
situations. "It really takes a cooperative approach between
government, business and individuals to make these good things
happen. Our staff and volunteers have worked hard on behalf of
the young people in our community and they are
looking forward to the completion of this new shelter." CMHC,
Canada's federal housing agency, committed $180,000 to the
project through its Shelter Enhancement Program (SEP). The SEP
offers financial assistance for the repair, rehabilitation and
improvement of existing shelters
for women, children and youth who are victims of family
violence as well as the acquisition or construction of new
shelters and second stage housing where needed. Other
partners contributing to the project include HRDC,
contributing
$150,000 through the Supporting Communities Partnership
Initiative (SCPI), $26,245 from the Provincial Homelessness
Initiative Fund and approximately $35,000 raised from local
community and service clubs. The shelter will also provide
services, amalgamated with a comprehensive life skill
acquisition program that, with the support of community
partners, prepares young people for independent living or if
feasible, a safe and
healthy return home.
For further information: Angelina Ritacco, CMHC, (416)
218-3332; Eva
Vlasov, Executive Director, Argus Residence, (519) 650-0452
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