Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, those that had been residing in the Unity Project facility in East London were relocated to nearby hotels. Now, with an empty building in need of refurbishment, Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario has partnered with the shelter to renovate the space’s sleeping areas, kitchens, and common areas.
For years now, Unity Project has offered a home-like shelter environment for adults and youth of all genders, aged 16 and up. Executive Director for Unity Project, Chuck Lazenby, explained that although the pandemic meant complicated relocation coordination of residents, the vacant space paved the way for Habitat for Humanity to take on the project.
“Habitat for Humanity was really doing some outreach to the community about what might be a good fit for a project for them to do during this time,” she said. “There was connection with one of the city staff who knew that were currently vacant while we had be relocated and that was really how the connection was made.”
The renovations include paint touch-ups, repairing damages, and other small tasks that are hard to manage when the facility is occupied.
“It’s really about freshening it up and kind of brightening it up and making it space that we can come back to that’s functional and also beautiful,” said Lazenby.
Lazenby added that having a space to live in that is presentable and well cared-for is key anyone’s social development.
“I think that when you have a nice space to be in, you want to take care of that space, you want to have ownership over that space,” she said. “Whereas if you have holes in the walls and everything is just dirty and unkempt, it reflects the value of yourself. So I think that, for us, it is very important to – when we do return there – have participants return to a space that sets the context of how we value them.”
Habitat for Humanity volunteers have been waiting for an opportunity to work in the community since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and CEO for Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario, Brian Elliot, said the partnership will benefit both organizations.
“The partnership between Habitat Heartland and Unity Project is a natural one,” said Elliot in a statement. “Both organizations strongly believe that housing solutions and homeownership are stabilizing and empowering forces that should be available to everyone.”
Lazenby said the experience with the charity and its volunteers has been incredible so far.
“They have been so wonderful to work with, and I am just so thankful for the opportunity.”
Ultimately, the renovations are step towards providing a dignified, safe space for those in need in the community, something Lazenby said is needed more than ever, as occupancy has almost doubled during the pandemic.
“We need those little lights, those little flickers like a space to return to that’s going to be beautiful and set up and ready for us,” she said. “It feels like something we can hold to and be encouraged by.”
The renovations began July 20, but there is no word yet on when the space will be able to welcome back participants.
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