On Dec 3rd we were joined by Tonya Verburg, CEO and Scott Brush, Chief Development Officer of Ray of Hope.
Ray of Hope was started in 1967 as a secure custody facility in New Dundee. Today the organization has many services in 2 separate streams; community and youth.
In the community stream the agency provides hot suppers to disadvantaged community members along with showers, laundry and other support services on a no questions basis. These services are provided thru the community centre located at King St East Kitchener.
The youth stream offers addiction, justice and employment programs.
The justice program offers a secure youth facility for 20 occupants. There is also an open custody facility for 8 youth. The facilities includes an onsite school and its purpose is to inspire and offer hope and show the affected youth that someone cares about them and they are valued.
The youth addiction program includes community based treatment program and day treatment program and a residential treatment facility.
The youth employment services program fur underemployed youth offers a 6 week in-class program on interview skills, resume writing and a 10 week internal services program working in the Morning Glory Cafe leading to external employment opportunities.
Ray of Hope has 160 staff, a budget of $9.5M and utilizes 2,000 volunteers serving 65,000 meals annually
On Feb 22nd, they hold their charity walk called the Coldest Night of the Year.
For further information refer to the website at: https://www.rayofhope.net/