Social agency Wyndham House, which provides numerous services to at risk and homeless youth in Guelph, will be able to offer more and better recreation services after receiving a $25,000 Orange Door Award from the Home Depot Canada Foundation.
Orange Door Awards acknowledges non-profit organizations that do good work serving youth in creative and meaningful ways. A cheque will be presented to Wyndham House at the Home Depot location on Woodlawn Road on Mar. 28.
As well as operating two shelters for homeless youth, Wyndham House offers the STEPS (Support Through Engagement in Programming and Sports) program for young people.
Recently, the program has only been able to offer one activity, and that is a weekly yoga class. But Margaret Bain, spokesperson for Wyndham House, said the significant amount of money will allow for an expansion in programming.
The agency is now consulting with its clients to better understand what sports and recreation activities they would like to see included in STEPS. The funding will allow 350 youth to be involved in a weekly program that encourages physical activity and fosters leadership skills.
“It is really up to the youth as to what they are wanting to do,” she said. “Because the STEPS program is youth lead. We take all the feedback from the youth to make sure we are making the best program for them.”
Wyndham House provides two transitional homes, long-term housing, and an emergency shelter in the community, along with the youth resource centre. It's office is at 26 Douglas Street.
STEPS, Bain said, is a way for youth to blow off steam, and provides a safe place for them to go. The plan is to hold activities in the evenings.
“There isn’t a lot of programming for youth in the evening,” she said. “It’s a way for them to connect to the programming at Wyndham House. If they’re not sure about coming to our resource centre and connecting with our outreach workers, a first step may be coming out and enjoying a game of basketball and connecting with a worker there.”
She said the $25,000 award for an organization the size of Wyndham House is a major amount of money.
She said the agency is proud to be among about eight organizations to receive the award.
