The first six participants of Yellowknife’s Housing First program made the move into downtown apartment units with help from a very large donation.
A two-year lease of a 2014 GMC Sierra was donated by YK Motors to help with the move, and to provide continued transportation for Housing First participants to bring them to and from appointments.
“The truck has been crucial for moving people into their new homes,” said Bree Denning, executive director of the Centre for Northern Families.
The centre is running the Housing First program in conjunction with the City of Yellowknife.
“We used it to transport [participants’] belongings from the shelter to their new apartment, pick out essentials … transport donations, and take participants to purchase essentials like food and cleaning supplies.”
Denning says her and her partners have received an abundance of donations from the community for the program.
One donation included office space for the group provided by Northview Property REIT. The company also helped find the units participants moved into earlier this month.
“People in the community have donated both funds and furnishings and household goods,” added Denning, thanking the people of Yellowknife for their support.
“We really want to thank all the people and businesses that have donated their time and energy and goods and services towards ending homelessness in Yellowknife.
“It’s heartening to see what we can accomplish when we all work together.”
