Egland scores Teddy Bear Toss goal but Pats lose in OT
7h ago
Over 3,000 stuffed animals were tossed onto the ice.
“It’s a lodge for all peoples, the newborn to the old, from pampers to depends,” said Carry the Kettle Nakata Nation Elder Howie Thomson at the launch of the North Central Family Centre’s Hope and Dreams campaign in Regina.
The campaign aims to raise $4 million for their new 30-unit low-income housing complex and to improve existing operations.
“It’s going to be for finishing the project,” said Kimberley Wenger the executive director of the North Central Family Centre (NCFC.) “We took a bit of a leap of faith,” she said.
Executive director of the North Central Family Center Kim Wenger speaking at the at the launch of the North Central Family centre’s Hope and Dreams campaign. (Giancarlo Cininni/ 980 CJME)
$3 million will go into turning the ground floor of the building into a 6000sq.ft community hub that will provide 24/7 support. It will feature a laundromat, community kitchen and programming spaces.
The additional $1 million will be used to refurbish the organization’s existing centre and expand its programming to provide 24/7 support to youths and families in need.
The Orange Buffalo Lodge is expected to be open for applications starting as early as August/September 2024. (Giancarlo Cininni/ 980 CJME)
NCFC has been supporting families and kids in the Regina area for over 20 years. Offering a safe space and programming including after school recreation and activities, meals, employment readiness, and housing support.
The proposed funding comes on top of the $8.5 million grant NCFC received to construct the new housing complex, as part of the Federal Government’s Rapid housing initiative. The building is aimed at providing housing for vulnerable low-income youth, seniors and families. It will feature apartments ranging from studios up to three bedrooms.
To procure funding, the NCFC launched hopesanddreams.ca, which lists ways to donate to the initiative. “It’s not just major donors but we are looking for others to contribute what they can,” said Doug McNair the Campaign Chair. He said they have already received some pitches.
Elder Howie Thomson’s family named the new 30-unit low-income housing complex the Orange Buffalo Lodge. (Giancarlo Cininni/ 980 CJME)
The new housing complex’s name, Orange Buffalo Lodge was also revealed at the campaign launch. Elder Thomson’s family named the new building, “negative will stay away from the orange…there is nothing wasted from a Buffalo, from head to tail,” Thomson said. “And lodge — for everybody young and old.”
NCFC executive director Wenger says the building should be completed at the end of this year. She said people should be able to start applying for housing in August or September. “We believe we’ve been an extension of people’s homes for 21 years now. So just having the ability to have a home to house folks in, we’re excited,” Wenger said.