ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

By Maurice Brenner Regional Councillor Ward 1 Pickering October 10th was World Homeless Day and I could never be prouder of the Community and support of Pickering and Durham Region. It was truly a day of Love. At 10 AM, Pickering and Durham joined Communities across Canada to raise the flag to bring awareness to the growing numbers of homeless persons in our City and Region. At 11 AM, at a Special Meeting of Pickering Council, once again demonstrated Pickering has a Social Conscience. Thanks to a majority vote of Council the City will provide DARS with up to $25,000 to drill a 200 ft new well after their old dug well collapsed. In addition to Pickering’s funds, TACC Development donated 25% funds of the cost with an additional 10% donated by the contractor. At 2PM, several hundred community volunteers, organizations, Community Partners, including City of Pickering and Durham Region celebrated the success of the DARS Transitional Housing Initiative through the agricultural lens. Topping it off was a demonstration of Love, with volunteers from Community Associations and array of individuals offering up an old fashion HotDog BBQ and Corn Roast. At 3PM, TACC DEVELOPMENT announced, a $70,000 donation to DARS, equal to10 years of free rent for the duration of the DARS lease. All monies saved by DARS will be used to support the Farmhouse initiative. Thank you TACC Developement for sharing the love and vision to find affordable and sustainable solutions to Homelessness. There was not a dry eye in the crowd. No one could have asked for a better day filled with Love. A Big thank you to the many Community volunteers that pulled it together, along with the Team from the City of Pickering, Community Safety Wellbeing, Culture and Recreation, Operations and the support of a majority of Pickering Council, along with Durham Region, DRPS, the DACH Committee, Durham Social Services and Housing, and and most importantly our 7 new neighbours-who have settled in to their dream farm house and opened their doors in exchange for our hearts.**** For those concerned about any property tax impacts, the entire project has not cost the Taxpayers anything.All funds raised were from private donations. Pickering's share of funding was possible through Casino royalties shared with the City of Pickering by OLG and Durham Region funds available through various grants. Stay tuned to learn more about the future initiatives to combat Homelessness in our Community