Mayor Walter Sendzik and the Mayor’s Invitational Golf Tournament committee are helping YWCA Niagara Region launch a capital campaign to build new affordable housing in St. Catharines.

Mayor Sendzik and committee members presented a $25,000 donation from the Mayor’s annual golf tournament at a campaign kick-off on Thursday where the YW announced a new building on Oakdale Ave. in St. Catharines. The Oakdale Commons will include a new family shelter and transitional housing apartments for women, children and families. Construction is expected to begin in late spring 2018.

“I’m proud to support the YWCA’s campaign to help women, children and families rebuild their lives through stable, affordable and supported housing. Through emergency shelter services, transitional housing and skills development programs, the YWCA helps to transform lives and this new building will allow them to help more people in our community,” said Mayor Walter Sendzik. “We know that the cost of housing continues to rise and the services the YWCA provides are more important than ever. The new Oakdale Commons building will help fill a growing need for affordable housing in our community.”

YWCA Niagara Region Executive Director, Elisabeth Zimmerman and members of the capital campaign team accepted the donation from the Mayor’s invitational golf tournament.

“Mayor Sendzik’s support of the YW’s new Oakdale Commons building will have a direct impact on the lives of the women and families we serve. This donation acts as a call to action for our community to build awareness and involvement in our movement for housing security in Niagara. Thanks to the support of the Mayor’s golf tournament, the YW is breaking ground on our Y the W campaign to support this much needed new building,” said Elisabeth Zimmerman.

The Mayor’s Invitational Golf Tournament is an annual fundraiser held by the sitting mayor of St. Catharines with the support of an organizing committee. Recipients of the tournament proceeds include local charities and non-profit organizations. Previous recipients include the Pathstone Foundation, Hotel Dieu Shaver Health and Rehabilitation Foundation, Youth Unlimited St. Catharines, the Niagara Health System Its Our Time Campaign, the Kristen French Child Advocacy Centre, the Niagara Children’s Centre Foundation and more. The 2018 tournament will be held on Monday, July 23 at the St. Catharines Golf and Country Club.  Details will be announced in early 2018 at www.mayorsendzik.ca.

About YWCA Niagara Region

 The YWCA Niagara Region provides emergency shelter to women, children and families who are homeless and living in poverty. In addition to providing transitional housing, the YW provides growth and development programs and life skills for women and girls.

The Y the W Campaign is a capital campaign for the YW’s new emergency family shelter and transitional housing that will help dozens of families every year and many more over its lifespan.  This building will have a lasting impact on our community and create a safe place where residents can gain independence and rebuild their lives with the support they need.