JARVIS, Ontario, May 27, 2005 — A unique new shelter in Jarvis opened today. Varency Home is a 10-bed residential facility that offers a safe haven to children who are victims of domestic violence. Residents are youth aged 12 to 16 years of age and are in the care of the Children's Aid Society.
A federal commitment of $550,000 to the home was made through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's (CMHC) Shelter Enhancement Program (SEP). Today's announcement was made by Brantford Member of Parliament Lloyd St. Amand on behalf of the Honourable Joe Fontana, Minister of Labour and Housing.
"There are children in Jarvis that need protection and help," said MP St. Amand. "The program run by the St. Leonard's Community Services and Children's Aid Society will ensure these children have access to the housing and services they need. This is an excellent example of the Government of Canada's commitment to offer its support whenever possible."
"St. Leonard's Community Services is very grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and the Children's Aid Society of Haldimand-Norfolk to meet the needs of Haldimand-Norfolk's most vulnerable children," said Bill Sanderson, Executive Director of St. Leonard's Community Services.
"The whole idea in creating Varency Home was to provide a treatment resource to serve the kids of Haldimand and Norfolk here and to repatriate our kids who had to find that treatment in resources all over this province and away from their family, their friends and their community," said Brian Hillier, Executive Director of the Children's Aid Society.
Additional funding was provided by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, which contributed $61,450 for a new van, furnishings, appliances and start up costs. The Haldimand-Norfolk Children's Aid Society provides annualized operational funding to Varency Home.
CMHC's Shelter Enhancement Program offers financial assistance for the repair, rehabilitation and improvement of existing shelters for women and their children, youth and men who are victims of family violence. Funding is also available for the acquisition or construction of new shelters and second stage housing.
CMHC is Canada's national housing agency with a mandate to help Canadians gain access to safe, quality and affordable housing. CMHC supports the Canadian housing industry and improves the living conditions of Canadians through mortgage loan insurance and securitization, assisted housing, research and information transfer and the promotion of Canadian housing exports.
For further information, please contact:
Joanne Link
Executive Director
Varency Home
(519) 759-8830
Peter Graham
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Labour and Housing
(819) 953-5646
Angelina Ritacco
Communications Consultant
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
(416) 433-8311