Help available to help people get back on their feet

Belleville’s Grace Inn Shelter has made an important step forward in its efforts to help the less fortunate in the community.

Monday, the Grace Inn’s Transition House on South Front Street was officially opened.

Spokesman Jodie Jenkins tells Quinte News the first three people will be moving into the six-bedroom house very soon.

“These are individuals that are either working or are in a position to be able to afford rent and are on the verge of getting back on their feet and the emergency shelter is not the best spot for them but given their circumstances there’s nowhere else for them.”

Jenkins says the residents can stay at the transition home for up to a year and those selected for residency will come from the Grace Inn shelter first but if there are vacancies, other social service agencies could refer their clients to the home if desired.

The residents do pay rent, although at below market rates.

The almost $1.2 million cost of the home’s purchase and renovation was paid for by funding from the provincial government and John M. & Bernice Parrott Foundation.

Ongoing operating costs will come from fundraising and Grace Inn will be applying for support from various levels of government.

Meanwhile the Grace Inn Shelter sponsored the Coldest Night of the Year Walk, a national charitable fundraising effort this year.

It was held last Saturday night and close to 150 walkers turned out.  Just over $60,000 was raised for the shelter, more than double the organization’s goal.