NEW GLASGOW – A fundraising campaign to open a local permanent homeless shelter is getting close reaching its goal.
Karen MacPhee, president of Viola’s Place Society, said Friday that local church groups and community organizations have rallied behind the society’s plans to purchase the former LifeShelter Church and turn it into a permanent homeless shelter.
Recent donations have come in from The Tattoo Place, New Glasgow Kinette Club, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Westville as well as the Ladies Aid of St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church. Donations are still being accepted at Scotiabanks in Pictou County or they can be sent to Viola’s Place Society at Suite 223 Lavinia Street, New Glasgow, NS, B2N 1N5.
The society also recently approached town councils for funding to purchase the building. The Town of New Glasgow has agreed to write a cheque for $7,500 to the society if certain conditions are met in regard to its operations budget while the Municipality of the County of Pictou has agreed to grant it $8,000.
“If we get the money from both municipalities then our ask is down to $18,000,” she said. The society was able to fundraise enough for the downpayment but as per its agreement with the current owners, it must purchase the building for $60,000 by April.
Pictou town council said it would consider funding the capital costs if the society could provide a firmer operating budget. The towns of Trenton, Westville and Stellarton have not made final decisions on the society’s capital funding request as well.
MacPhee said she understands their concerns about the operating budget, but the volunteer society is focused on purchasing the building first because nothing can move ahead without it.
“I don’t think they get that we are a start-up and trying to purchase a building first and foremost,” she said. “All of our time and energy is spent on getting a building. We have a location and now we have to secure funds.”
She said so much of the society’s future is contingent upon having a location, including applying for government grants to obtaining a charitable status. She researched renting a building versus owning and soon realized that owning provides the society with much better opportunities in the future.
“When things are put in my path, I walk towards them,” she said in regard to making the owners of the former church a reasonable offer and having it accepted. “Once we have the building, we will be looking more into our strategic planning. Everyone wants to know how we are going to sustain ourselves, but it is crucial we own that building.”
The society has researched the possibility of obtaining federal and provincial money for both its capital costs as well as operations and MacPhee has also been reaching out to contacts in shelters across the province for advice.
In the meantime, it will continue with its fundraising over the next few months with the possibility of another bottle drive in a local retail location as well as an upcoming concert.
It is also looking for volunteers for its fundraising committee. Anyone interested can contact Viola’s Place Society through its Facebook page or email at [email protected].
