2009.12.22 – London Free Press

Agencies get $21M boost from Ottawa, province

Goodwill Industries is the largest of six non-profit projects

By DEBORA VAN BRENK, LONDON FREE PRESS

If anything exemplified the season of goodwill better than yesterday's $7.8-million stimulus grant to Goodwill Industries, it was employee Maggie Sterner's enthusiasm.

When Sterner first received job training there three years ago, after raising four children, "I didn't have any working skills," she said yesterday, while sorting donated clothes for resale.

"Now my goal is to be in management. Three years ago, I just thought I'd be a regular person and now I'm ambitious."

The London agency will consolidate its employment counselling and training facilities at the site of its flagship second-hand store on Horton St.

The Goodwill project is the largest of six non-profit projects for which the federal and provincial governments announced $21 million in stimulus funding yesterday.

The total value of the work will be $31 million -- from fixing a leaky roof at the Grand Theatre to expanding London's Ronald McDonald House for families of sick kids -- when the agencies' one-third share of the total cost is added.

Federal Transport and Infrastructure Minister John Baird said the agencies' projects will boost the local economy. "Even more than that, they'll provide a lasting legacy."

Michelle Quintyn, executive director of Goodwill Industries, Ontario Great Lakes, said the long-planned rebuild will go a long way towards reversing years of neglect and decline in the Soho (South of Horton St.) neighbourhood. "I think this is as much a benefit to Soho as to Goodwill," Quintyn said.

The tired, old store will be razed -- with temporary quarters down the street -- and be replaced with a four-storey, 90,000-square-foot centre that will include a store, training and employment counselling site, meeting space and regional head office. It will add 100 jobs.

A small park on site will face Simcoe St.

Ontario Health Minister Deb Matthews noted much of the grant money is going towards people whose disabilities make their job training and job searches a challenge. "(The grants) really will be transformational for many of our citizens who need the most support, she said."

Angela Renwick, 24, can vouch for that transformation. She spent time in shelters while growing up and has just found a job, while caring for her five-year-old son and seeking a college education.

She's thrilled Youth Opportunities Unlimited won funding for its housing and training centre downtown. "It's going to change a lot of people's lives, just as it did mine."

She credits mentors with keeping her on the right path, despite hardship.

MP Ed Holder (C -- London West) said the investment is more than construction. "You can build buildings . . . But when you build lives . . . You build hope."

Baird noted about 1,000 applications came in and it's a tribute to the six recipient groups their "outstanding" applications were approved.

deb.vanbrenk@sunmedia.ca

---

WHO GOT WHAT

The London projects to which the federal and provincial governments are providing $21 million in stimulus money (the agencies will also kick in more than $10 million, so total value of work to be done will exceed $31 million):

Goodwill Industries: $11.6 million for 90,000-square-foot building to be headquarters for the regional offices, employment training and main store.

Ronald McDonald House: $7.8 million to expand common space, number of bedrooms and play areas for families of children in hospital.

Grand Theatre: $2.8 million to renovate building, including roof repairs.

Easter Seals: $4 million for multi-sport/activity indoor centre that will provide more accessible, year-round facilities for children with disabilities.

Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU): $4.2 million to Cornerstone project, for affordable housing and alternative education centre for youth.

Hutton House: $768,750 to expand building and training space for life skills, nutrition, wellness and art for adults and youths with developmental disabilities.