Shelter Initiatives

Daytime Warming Program

This program is available from December through April. Hours of operation are Monday-Friday between 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. We offer a warming center for the unsheltered community to get out of the cold and enjoy coffee and snacks with access to showers and restrooms. 

 

SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF THESE PILOT PROGRAMS!

Out-of-the-Crisis Restorative Shelter at Camp Samac
(May 1, 2020 – October 31, 2020)

 

In preparation for the conclusion of our In Out of the Cold program which ended April 30th, several conversations were held with the Durham Region government about the continued need to help the homeless in the midst of COVID-19.

As a result of these good discussions, we are pleased to announce a new joint venture between First Light Foundation of Hope and Christian Faith Outreach Centre to help care for homeless persons throughout the spring and summer months at Camp Samac.

We have dubbed this new program ‘In Out of the Crisis (IOTC)’.

The IOTC Restorative Shelter Program is the first of its kind, with two Christian organizations partnering with the government of Durham Region to help the needy and homeless throughout the area.

The Region of Durham has leased Camp Sumac to allow us to operate a 24hr a day, 7 days a week shelter program. This program, in its infancy, is providing a safe place where homeless persons can get off the streets and away from the risk of COVID-19, but also do so in a safe and supervised drug and alcohol-free environment.

The doors of the new Restorative Shelter Program opened on May 1st. Our maximum capacity, while practicing social distancing, allows for 25 individuals to be fed 3 meals a day, and to provide shelter, mattress, pillow, fresh sheets, laundry, and a host of other support services. Some of these services include Durham Mental Health, OW & ODSP support, music and art therapy, and an introduction into a safe, peaceful, loving community environment.

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Hope House is now Redemption House and is being operated by Redemption House of Recovery. For program information please call (647) 554-4673. 

 

Over a 2-year period, we attempted to purchase three different properties. Each time looked better than the last. However, all three doors were closed until the 27th of June, 2022. The board had decided to rent a home that Monday night; we found Hope House Tuesday morning, viewed it the same afternoon, negotiated the lease Wednesday, and had the keys in hand Thursday morning. Once we took possession 40 days later, we were ready to open and thus began the journey. That’s how our God works! Hallelujah!

Hope House is a pre-treatment residential detox and discipleship center designed to prepare the homeless and addicted for placement in 1-year recovery programs such as Teen Challenge.

What Hope House offers:

  • 24/hrs, 7 days a week support
  • Withdrawal Management
  • Physical Fitness
  • Three meals a day
  • Group Therapy
  • 12-Step and Spiritual Support
  • Next steps to treatment or transitional living
  • Pastoral/Church visits

To see a typical day at Hope House, please click here Hope House Day Schedule.docx