In Guelph, ON, the Task Force for Poverty Elimination has the goal of reducing homelessness. The Task Force joined with two philanthropic organizations (United Way and the Guelph Community Foundation) and set about to secure $3-million in funding to build or renovate three permanent supportive housing projects to house 72 of the City’s chronically homeless residents.
Permanent, supportive housing is not just a place to live. It offers wraparound services including social and emotional supports as well as help with addictions and food insecurity. The fundraising goal includes an additional $2-million for maintenance, upkeep, and future capital needs.
This effort was named the Home for Good Campaign. Using a community approach, the leaders joined a coalition of agencies already engaged in the fight against homelessness: all levels of government; and a host of individual and corporate citizens including St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, Skyline property management, and The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore, among others.
Guelph Mayor Guthrie admiring a quilt one of Kathy W’s blog followers sent from Washington state.
In March 2023, Royal City Quilters’ Guild (RCQG) committed to provide a quilt to each new resident in the three facilities. Shortly thereafter, the Lions Club of Guelph approved a generous grant to fund batting and backing for the quilts. At the guild’s April meeting, the Executive Director of the United Way spoke to guild members about the Home for Good Campaign and the Lions Club President presented their cheque to the guild.
RCQG members’ hearts were touched by this project, and they went to work! Members donated string blocks and quilts. They learned quilt-as-you-go techniques to finish quilts on their own. They dug into their closets for previously completed quilts and tops suitable for this project.
Three members asked others for orphan blocks, which they turned into beautiful quilts. One member donated over 200 scrappy half log cabin blocks she had on hand. Quilters (including non-members!) pitched in with tops, longarm quilting services, and completed quilts. Those who enjoy hand stitching worked diligently to bind quilts and sew on labels.
Contributions came from Guelph and surrounding communities, as well as Oakville, Sudbury, and Port Franks in Ontario. A quilter from Vashon Island (west of Seattle, Washington) sent two quilts for the project after reading about it on an RCQG member’s blog! Guelph Mayor Cam Guthrie visited a sew day when he learned we were making quilts for the campaign.
Members delivered quilts to the recently completed housing unit.
The first facility opened in August 2023 and Guild representatives brought dozens of quilts so residents could choose their favourite. A week later, a representative from the youth facility selected 10 quilts for residents at their facility. The remaining quilts were delivered in June when the final facility was completed and five members attended the ribbon cutting ceremony.
Extra quilts will be kept on hand at each facility for the inevitable turnover any multi-unit residence sees. In total, we delivered approximately 90 quilts to our new neighbours.
Quilts are ready for delivery to the recently completed housing unit.
A donated quilt on a bed in a newly completed apartment.
