Posted on: August 26, 2024 Posted by: Metroland Staff, Original Article
Blue Door is delighted to announce that it has received funding from the Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation (AMDF).
This generous support will enhance Construct, a social enterprise by Blue Door, which is aimed at breaking down barriers to employment for vulnerable young people.
With more than 40 years of experience supporting individuals experiencing homelessness, Blue Door has been a pillar in the community.
Blue Door’s mission is to enable housing stability by driving innovative housing, health, and employment solutions, to achieve its vision of a Canada where everyone can access dignified housing.
Construct, which operates in York, Durham and Peel regions, provides comprehensive eight-week skills training to vulnerable job seekers facing barriers to employment.
Launched in 2020, the program aligns seamlessly with Blue Door’s mission by offering support to help individuals overcome employment barriers through training, on-the-job experience, apprenticeship experience, and comprehensive wraparound support services such as wages during training, transportation assistance, psychotherapy, food support, and essential safety equipment.
Since its inception, Construct has successfully launched more than 500 individuals into careers in the trades by paying a living wage from day 1.
The generous support from AMDF will enable Construct to continue its critical work, further empowering individuals to secure stable, long-term careers in the construction industry.
AMDF is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people by partnering with non-profit organizations like Blue Door.
AMDF focuses on supporting initiatives that assist youth facing mental health challenges and experiencing homelessness throughout Ontario.
“We are so grateful for the continued support from our friends at the Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation. Working together, we are breaking the cycle of poverty by placing vulnerable individuals into jobs in the trades, where they will make a living wage and have access to healthcare and other benefits,” said Blue Door CEO Michael Braithwaite.
“Every investment into our Construct program allows us to contribute to help build the workforce we need to continue to build the affordable housing we desperately need in the midst of this housing crisis.”
Aubrey and Marla Dan, founders and trustees of the AMDF, are pleased to invest in Construct.
“AMDF is proud to support Blue Door, because of their unwavering commitment to transforming lives through housing stability and innovative employment solutions. We believe that by investing in organizations like Blue Door, we are helping to build a future where everyone can live with dignity and achieve their full potential,” they shared.
“Their work in providing not just shelter, but also the comprehensive support necessary for long-term success, aligns perfectly with our foundation’s mission to create meaningful and lasting change in our communities.”
With the support received from AMDF, Construct will continue to provide critical resources, including food, wages, transportation, psychotherapy support, and essential tools and personal protective equipment (PPE). This comprehensive approach ensures that each participant thrives throughout their training and beyond.
Join Blue Door and AMDF in providing safe, accessible, and affordable housing solutions for our community’s most vulnerable.
To learn more, visit BlueDoor.ca.