Rob Turnbull, President and CEO, Streetohome Foundation, was recently featured in the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association blog about our programs.
Read the full article below:
Since its inception in 2008, Streetohome has contributed more than $31M from the private sector to leverage a variety of projects and programs including 1335 units of supportive housing, the Vancouver Rent Bank, WorkWithUs and Supporting Tenants, Enabling Pathways.
Since employment provides marginalized individuals a broadened social network, a sense of belonging, and an opportunity to participate more fully in society, the foundation is facilitating entry into the workforce by matching individuals with employment opportunities that align with their capabilities and preferences. If you’re a business owner, you can get involved with this very important cause by visiting http://wwufoundation.org/.
We caught up with Rob Turnbull, President & CEO of Streetohome Foundation, and asked him some questions about the great work that the Foundation is involved in right now.
Q: How did you come up with your employment programs?
Streetohome’s initial focus of its 10-year plan was on building supportive housing for those who were homeless or at risk of homeless. Since 2008, we have raised more than $31 million from the private sector and leveraged additional resources to build 1,335 homes for single adults, couples, youth and families. Living in stable housing with adequate supports provides a solid foundation for becoming a contributing member of society, but people also need help to address their healthcare and employment needs. Recently, Streetohome has turned its attention to brokering and leveraging employment and addiction recovery opportunities to prevent homelessness in the first place.
Q: Why did you choose downtown Vancouver for your headquarters?
Streetohome is located in the old Seymour Building. Aquilini Properties continues to donate the office lease as part of their contribution to solving homelessness in Vancouver. The generosity of Aquilini Properties is one of the reasons we are able to direct 100 percent of capital donations to housing and homelessness prevention programs. We are very lean, with three staff, and fund our modest operations through separate donations.
Being downtown was important early on as many of our supportive housing projects were located in the Downtown Eastside. It continues to be ideal to be able to walk a prospective donor from the office to a building and show them how they are able to change lives and build futures. Over the years we have contributed to supportive housing buildings outside the Downtown Eastside and across the City of Vancouver as homelessness has no borders.
Q: How do you see downtown Vancouver business owners interacting with your programs?
Streetohome has partnered with TPD, an international Workforce and HR Solutions company, to launch WorkWithUs– a new non-profit staffing agency which will match individuals seeking employment with employers. WorkWithUs is currently collaborating with businesses that are looking for a unique way to contribute to their community and, at the same time, meet their workforce needs. We have employees who are ready and highly-motivated to re-enter the workplace. For more information on how Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association (DVBIA) members can become involved, please visit the WorkWithUs website at http://wwufoundation.org/ or call 604.409.4090.
From Doing Business Downtown Blog, February 7, 2018
