Education/Awareness

NEWSLETTER
Volume 2, Issue 1: February 2009

"KayshidaayingWhere We Live."

 



HUB Executive

Nan Normand, Co-Chair
Ralph Page, Co-Chair, Treasurer
Karen Essery, Secretary
Don Denver Emily Goss
Dan Jorgensen Pieter Joubert
Shirley Kelly Frank Kowal
Erika Olson Diane Pelletier

Joan Schelske



What is Making Kenora HOME?

A concerned group working on solutions for homelessness in our community.


Guiding Principles

  • EQUALITY: We are all created equal within this world that we share

  • INCLUSION: Every person living in Kenora is a part of our community

  • SHARING: As a community we must care for each other

  • SELF DETERMINATION: Each person has the right to choose his or her own path providing that path does not hurt another

  • EMPOWERMENT: We are accountable for our own actions and need to look inward first before looking outward for change

    •


    How do we achieve this?

  • Community education and awareness about homelessness and poverty

  • Promoting the implementation of our May 2007 report Community Solutions For Affordable Housing Projects

  • Community caring projects to address poverty.

    •


    Why is Making Kenora HOME
    important to us?

  • Stable housing is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty

  • Kenora will become a more inclusive and caring community.


    • WANT TO BECOME A MEMBER?
     Tell a member of our Executive
    Call us at 468-8888
    Make a Difference In Our Community
     

     

    JOURNEYS OF HOPE

    A second collection of stories on homelessness is being released by Making Kenora Home during Week of Action Against Poverty. The contributors to this years collection have shared their life journeys from homelessness to hope. The book launch will be held at Ho Joes on February 11, 2009, 7 pm.

    COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTS IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING STOCKS
    		   The Implementation Working Group has established a working group who are actively working towards achieving a local build of a single family home. Affordable family home ownership is part of the local affordable housing strategy.

    Gearing Up For
    Local Giving

    		    Application has also been made to the Homelessness PartneringStrategy for
     extension of local emergency shelter services.
       On the funding field, the newly approved federal budget has committed funds for renovation and energy retrofits of social and low-income housing and extended funding for housing and homelessness programs including the Affordable Housing Initiative, Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program and the Homelessness Partnering Strategy. Specific funding will be dedicated to low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. Competition for these funds will be fierce. The community plan developed by Making Kenora Home is available to help local parties interested in submitting applications for affordable housing. Because of competition for funding, we are very much aware that time is of the essence in this regard and have encouraged City Officials to play a leadership role in directing this funding process.

    WEEK OF ACTION AGAINST POVERTY
    February 8-14, 2009 is Kenoras Week of Action Against Poverty. Members of Making Kenora HOME encourage citizens of Kenora to join us in taking action against poverty through food bank donations, coffee break discussions, meditation and prayer, random acts of kindness, bake sales, winter wear drives, or other projects of your own choosing. Here are some of the activities planned for the week:
    February 7 10:00 a.m. Interdenominational
    Volleyball Tournament
    St. Thomas Aquinas High School
    February 8 Interdenominational Prayers
    February 8-14 Kenora Metis Health & Wellness
    Knit-A-Thon
    February 10 Pope John Paul II School
    Classroom Conversations
    February 11  9:00 a.m. Budget Countdown 
    Minto Family Resource Centre 
    hosted by Northwest Health Unit
    February 11 2:00 p.m. Pancake Brunch
    Fellowship Centre
    hosted by HOME
    February 11 7:00 p
    .m. Journeys of Hope
    HoJoes caf conversation     February 11 6:30 p.m. Skate, Slide & Silver
    Donations         hosted by Parent Council    , Pope John Paul II School February 11 6 p.m. People First Valentine Dance, Knox United Church February 12

    Warm Your Spirit Fundraiser Lunch,

     Kenora Legal Aid & Kenora Community Legal Clinic

    February 8-14 Non-perishable Food Drive
         Challenge Club February 13 Red Ribbon Campaign
         People First Kenora February 13 Making A Difference
    St.Louis School, grade 5 class     February 14 Open Your Heart Dance
    8 pm Best Western Lakeside Inn
    Kenora Patricia Child & Family Services     February 14 

    10:30 Storytime Kenora Library & Best Start

    February 8-14 Winter Wear Drive
    Mx-Fm Staff
    Keystone Lock & Safe
    Kenora Court House     February 24  Story Telling Birchwood Terrance, Nechee Life Long Care Program February 26 Luncheon Fundraiser
         Kenora Court House Staff TBA Cammie Carpenters Band of Awesome

    HOME Recommendations
    1. 24 hours emergency shelter.
    2. 8 single room occupancy (SRO) units.
    3. 20 SRO rent geared to income.
    4. 10 single dwelling Aboriginal family units.
    5. Tax discount, utility discount or maintenance tax credit for low fixed income seniors.
    6. 2 supportive housing projects; 10 transitional units for victims of violence, 10 units for senior supportive health and assistive living.
    7. Rent subsidization; 15 units for single parent housing and 10 units for individuals experiencing mental health dysfunction.
    8. Revolving housing trust for low income families.
    Kenora has the opportunity to improve its quality of life by investing in these recommendations in addition to working in creative partnership.


    Bring a Tin for the Bin*
    *Bins located at Extra Foods, Safeway, Recreation Centre
    and all Making Kenora Home events    		 Published quarterly by:
    Making Kenora HOME, Charitable Services Inc., 
    at www.makingkenorahome.ca


    NEWSLETTER
    Volume 1, Issue 3: October 2008

    "KayshidaayingWhere We Live."

     

    HUB Executive

    Nan Normand, Co-Chair
    Ralph Page, Co-Chair, Treasurer
    Karen Essery, Secretary

    What is Making Kenora HOME?

    A concerned group working on solutions for homelessness in our community.
    Don Denver Emily Goss


    How do we achieve this?
  • Community education and awareness about homelessness and poverty
  • Promoting the implementation of our May 2007 report Community Solutions For Affordable Housing Projects
  • Community caring projects to address poverty.
    •



    Why is Making Kenora HOME
    important to us?
  • Stable housing is one of the most effective ways to break the cycle of poverty
  • Kenora will become a more inclusive and caring community.
    		•
    Dan Jorgensen Pieter Joubert
    Shirley Kelly Frank Kowal
    Erika Olson Diane Pelletier

    Joan Schelske

    Guiding Principles
  • EQUALITY: We are all created equal within this world that we share
  • INCLUSION: Every person living in Kenora is a part of our community
  • SHARING: As a community we must care for each other
  • SELF DETERMINATION: Each person has the right to choose his or her own path providing that path does not hurt another
  • EMPOWERMENT: We are accountable for our own actions and need to look inward first before looking outward for change
    		•

    HUNGER DOESNT TAKE A
    VACATION CAMPAIGN ACTIVATES
    COMMUNITY

    August is "Kenoras Hunger Doesnt Take a Vacation" and this years activities reflect the continuing commitment of our community to tackling poverty. Local musicians organized their second annual benefit at the Lakeside Inn on August 17. Despite competing concerts and a soccer tournament, the organizing musicians, Jeff Rasmussen and Mike Procyshyn, raised $ & .  Performances featuring Jordon McDonald, Ainslee Everett and Bryan King left the young audience clapping for more. Across town, the staff of Lakewood Credit Union held a charity BBQ that garnered $500.00 to assist with Making Kenora Homes community caring projects including the Saturday street picnics held during the month of August.
    Music also appeared at one of the street picnics as two attendees decided to repay the meals with an impromptu concert. The talent was obviously in the guitarists fingers and not in the guitar that was held together with tape (and retaped mid concert!). The well attended picnics concluded with the traditional turkey feast. This year, ladies from Bethesda Lutheran 
    baked up fresh pies to the delight of the attendees. WalMarts charity committee also joined in to the campaign with their in-store food bin, tag day and corporate donations. Their total contribution to the Hunger Doesnt Take a Vacation campaign was $3,040.00.

    Community of Friends

    The Community of Friends project continues this fall at the Minto Family Resource Centre. Mentors meet with neighbourhood residents at 6:30 p.m. every Wednesday evening. Tea and pizza have become the customary accompaniment to the conversation, cooking and crafts shared between participants.

    HOME Recommendations

    		  

    RELATIONSHIPS MATTER!

    Making Kenora HOME wishes to
    thank all of the individuals, families, groups, organizations and corporate sponsors who have contributed to addressing poverty and homelessness within our community. This season 
    we recognize the generosity of
    WalMart, Lakewood Credit Union,
    Gord McTaggart and the
    HomeAid 2 Performers towards the
    Hunger Doesnt Take A Vacation campaign.


    WANT TO BECOME A MEMBER?
     Tell a member of our Executive
    Call us at 468-8888
    Make a Difference In Our Community
    1. 24 hours emergency shelter.
    2. 8 single room occupancy (SRO) units.
    3. 20 SRO rent geared to income.
    4. 10 single dwelling Aboriginal family units.
    5. Tax discount, utility discount or maintenance tax credit for low fixed income seniors.
    6. 2 supportive housing projects; 10 transitional units for victims of violence, 10 units for senior supportive health and assistive living.
    7. Rent subsidization; 15 units for single parent housing and 10 units for individuals experiencing mental health dysfunction.
    8. Revolving housing trust for low income families.
    Kenora has the opportunity to improve its quality of life by investing in these recommendations in addition to working in creative partnership.

    Networking Tenant
    Neighbourhoods
    A series of BBQs were held throughout Kenora as a community organizing project focusing on tenant and neighbourhood issues. Meeting neighbours, obtaining tenant resource information and sharing concerns were accomplished against a back drop of camaraderie and old-fashioned fun. A special thanks goes to the landlords who supported these events. The primary concerns of the tenants were about neighbourhood safety and public transportation. Recommendations included brighter street lighting, expanded bus service and playground development.

    This project was realized through a partnership between Making Kenora Home, Kenora District Services-Housing Services, Glenview Rentals, Womens Place and the Kenora Community Legal Clinic.

    DID YOU KNOW ? ...

    Annual General Meeting

    Tuesday, November 25, 2025 7 p.m.
    Jubilee Church of God Hall

    Bring a Tin for the Bin*
    *Bins located at Extra Foods, Safeway, Recreation Centre and all Making Kenora Home events.
     

    Published quarterly by:
    Making Kenora HOME, Charitable Services Inc., 
    at www.makingkenorahome.ca



    ACTIVITY REPORT

    Community Solutions for Affordable Housing Projects
    A report prepared by Making Kenora HOME May 15, 2026

    Executive Summary
    The Community Solutions for Affordable Housing Report was prepared by the HUB of Making Kenora HOME to provide feasible options for housing projects in a format and of sufficient detail to be of use to housing providers, funding agencies, municipal leaders and the community at large in understanding and addressing the needs of the homeless within the City of Kenora, Ontario.  It is a starting point for creating partnerships, promoting community discussion, and encouraging investigation and action on housing in the community.

    Discussions during the preparation of this report were guided by an awareness of issues and a sensitivity toward all people involved in and affected by the decisions and recommendations.  A consensus model was used to deal with all ideas, information and suggestions brought to the table.  As a group of concerned citizens working together, there was a clear understanding of the importance of building relationships, respect and trust in order to achieve success in this venture.

    The report begins by identifying different categories of homelessness, then presenting a housing needs analysis.  Included in the needs analysis is a community scan which summarizes historic, geographic, demographic, economic, educational, health, housing and political factors and states the specific impact each of these factors has on housing.

    Following local profiles of the chronically and episodically homeless, and situationally homeless and under-housed populations, the report presents a Housing Model Analysis based on a Housing Support Continuum.  This continuum is based on the belief that a variety of housing is needed to meet the individual needs in any community.  Thus crisis, transitional and permanent housing options are explored.

    Based on prioritizing according to the need, impact, cost and resources, the report recommends that Making Kenora HOME advocate and assist in planning for the development of a comprehensive continuum of community stock in Kenora.

    Eight specific recommendations are presented as a starting point for addressing housing needs in Kenora.  Their order does not reflect a hierarchy of importance and recognizes that some of the recommendations require specific government funding.  The recommendations are as follows:
    1. that the designated emergency shelter at the Kenora Fellowship Centre operate full time.
    2. that eight (8) single room occupancy (SRO) units be added to the community's housing stock as transitional housing.
    3. that twenty (20) single room occupancy (SRO) rent geared to income units be added to the community's housing stock as permanent housing.
    4.

    that ten (10) single dwelling Aboriginal family units be added to the Aboriginal housing providers's portfolio.
    5.  that options of a tax discount, utility discount or a maintenance tax credit for qualifying seniors on low fixed income be investigated, and that the future needs of seniors be closely monitored. 
    6. that two(2) supportive housing projects be developed to enhance the supportive housing continuum: one project to provide ten (10) transitional support housing units for victims of violence, and another project to provide ten (10) units of senior support housing with health supports and assistive living. 
    7. that fifteen (15) units for family housing for single parents, and ten (10) units for housing for individuals experiencing mental health dysfunction be identified and prioritized for rent subsidization programs. 
    8. that effort be directed toward the establishment of a revolving housing trust for low income families.
    Appropriate and affordable housing is one of the best indicators of quality of life within a community.  The citizens of Kenora have demonstrated and voiced a will to work together to improve their quality of life in this manner.  It is hoped that this report assists in making suggested solutions a reality.