January 10, 2013:
Approximately 50 donors and others interested in the WestEnd Commons project attended a Hard Hat Event today and had the chance to visit the construction site and to hear several speakers. Roger Gateson, Chair of the Board and John Clarkson, Chair of the Circle of Friends, both spoke. In addition, Rev. Reuban Garang, a former refugee to Canada, talked about the tremendous need for housing among newcomers as well as others. Gerry Humphreys, project manager, encouraged those present to keep in touch with the story we are creating here at the WestEnd Commons. Catering and greeting were provided by participants in the First Steps to Employment Program, offered by St. Matthews Maryland Community Ministry, and students from the University of Manitoba, Praxis Program volunteered as servers for the event. Attendees also toured the lower level Neighbourhood Resource Centre where they saw and heard about the programs offered there. Attendees expressed enthusiasm for what they saw and heard.
