The Kitchener-Waterloo Association of REALTORS® (KWAR) is pleased to make a donation of $5,000 through the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation to support Mary’s Place.
Mary’s Place is YWCA Kitchener-Waterloo’s 60-bed emergency shelter for women and families (including fathers and adolescent male children) experiencing homelessness.
Dietmar Sommerfeld, President of the KWAR, presented the check on behalf of REALTORS® to Mary’s Place board members: Nora Martin, Mandy Dennison, President, Elizabeth Clarke, CEO, and Chris Meyer.
Sheryl Loeffler, Director of Philanthropy for YWCA Kitchener-Waterloo, says, “The grant will provide 83 nights of emergency shelter, 291 meals and snacks, and 11 weeks of crisis support for a person experiencing homelessness–which, we believe, is an extraordinary gift.”
Mary’s Place provides basic necessities, such as food and shelter, crisis support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, specialized programs for women and families, life skills training, access to a chaplain, a nurse practitioner and other information, as needed, in a respectful, empowering environment.
Mary’s Place is one of three local charities to be receiving funds through the 2012 round of grants from the Ontario REALTORS Care® Foundation. The Foundation acts on behalf of Ontario REALTORS® in funding shelter-related charities across the province. The KWAR is proud to support the foundation, and this year donated a total of $15,000 for local charities through its Every REALTOR® Campaign.
Since 1993, the KWAR has donated in excess of half a million dollars to support local charities. REALTORS® believe that healthy communities depend on a strong economy, safe neighbourhoods, a clean environment, access to housing and the protection of rights of property owners. The KWAR recognizes the need to support and enhance the Quality of Life enjoyed by residents of Waterloo region.
