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Gerry Throop I have directed this year’s BWI gift to the Wood Green Red Door Family Shelter. My wife and I have been actively involved in helping this organization over the past several years through a neighbourhood “Heart to Hand” program. In partnership with many of our neighbours, we organize monthly clothing drives and weekly perishable drives that support the work of the Shelter. The breadth of the needs served by the Shelter has always impressed us, and it was an easy choice for directing your generous gift. Many thanks. The Wood Green Red Door Family Shelter provides safe and supportive emergency housing to individuals and families in need of refuge from domestic violence and to those who find themselves without accommodation. The Red Door provides 240 beds at three sites in Toronto for homeless families, refugees, the elderly, abused women and their children and young mothers with newborn babies. Services offered, in addition to short term emergency shelter, include: crisis counseling, legal and immigration support, medical assistance, ESL classes, child care programs, housing referrals and other supports. Families come to the Shelter through referral from agencies such as Children’s Aid Societies, Public Health Department, Police and other shelters. Families can also access services on the advice of friends or through word of mouth. Most families, given time and support, achieve independent living and return to the mainstream of society within a period of five to six weeks. Circumstances dictate the length of stay. Some families only remain overnight, while others have lived at the shelter for four months. The Shelter’s guiding motto, established when the shelter was founded is: “The Red Door Helps Those Who Need Help to Help Themselves”.
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