EQUITABLE BANK AND CONCENTRA AWARD $10,000 TO WINDSOR-ESSEX PROGRAM

On Wednesday October 30, representatives from Equitable Bank, Concentra, and the Motor City Community Credit Union met with the team at The Windsor Residence for Young Men (WRYM) to hear more about the $10,000 Empowering Your Community grant they received from the national fund established by Equitable Bank and Concentra, which will be funding crucial life-skill teaching services for youth experiencing homelessness.

The $10,000 grant allows WRYM to run 2 semesters (or 6 months) of their Youth Independence Program, which teaches young people how to overcome homelessness and establish self-reliance. The WRYM is helping youth overcome homelessness and build new lives by providing Transitional Housing, Aftercare, and Outreach services for those at risk of or experiencing homelessness between the ages 16-24 who identify as male.

“We believe that the best way to help people is to give them the tools to help themselves. By teaching young people how to survive on their own, we can give them the confidence and practical skills they need to move forward into independence and adulthood. We are so proud that the Motor City Community Credit Union chose us for this opportunity, in addition to Equitable Bank and Concentra selecting our program as one of the winning recipients.” ─Jason Weinberg, Executive Director, The Windsor Residence for Young Men

WRYM reports that this innovative nationally recognized housing-first program has been adopted by other communities, approved by two different school boards as being worthy of an Ontario Secondary School Credit, and that lessons focus on increasing personal resiliency for vulnerable youth in order to reduce possible risk of harm.

Motor City Community Credit Union officials say they are proud to be a sponsor of WRYM as supporting the residents in our community is one of our core values. It is especially key to us to support community initiatives that combat youth homelessness by providing life skills and after care programs. The work that WRYM does allows its residents to experience self-empowerment which only furthers the betterment of Windsor-Essex region.