Indwell

This week we toured the Health Service Building in London, one of two heritage hospital buildings that Indwell is converting into 138 apartment homes. The space is now construction-ready, thanks to the work of JoBi Construction and Southside Construction. Our architects, Invizij Architects, along with two consulting partners, Pinchin and Building Enclosure Labs, assessed the interior and exterior of the building as we sharpen our plans to create 96 apartments in this remarkable space. This building was constructed in 1921 as Western University’s Medical School. Thousands of doctors were trained here until the school moved to the main university campus in 1965, and the building began to serve other hospital needs as the Health Services Building. Both the Health Services Building and War Memorial Children’s Hospital – part of the Vision SoHo development - are now ready for construction. We continue to work with our community and government partners to close the funding gaps so we can create new housing for our neighbours who need it most.

Post 14 of 50 Stories of Indwell Remember Blossom Park Apartments and Townhouses, Indwell’s first foray out of Hamilton? Indwell’s story in Woodstock doesn’t stop there. In October of 2013, just before Homestead Christian Care became Indwell, we purchased Harvey Woods Lofts in Woodstock – an old textile factory that flourished as one of Woodstock’s largest employers from the early 1900’s to the mid-1970’s, but closed in 1990. That wasn’t the end of the Harvey Woods story. Harvey Woods Lofts was welcoming tenants in 2015 into 54 apartments, and another 26 with Phase 2 in 2017, making it Indwell’s largest affordable supportive housing project at that point in our history. We're proud to offer hope and homes in Woodstock! 1) Harvey Woods Lofts, Exterior, shortly following Phase 2, 2018. 2) Tenants gather for Thanksgiving dinner in the atrium at Harvey Woods Lofts, shortly after its opening. Special "thank you" messages from tenants garnish a tree during the dinner, 2015. 3) Excerpt from the Homestead Christian Care Newsletter, 2013. 4) Indwell’s Board of Directors tour the original site of Harvey Woods Lofts, 2014. 5) Ribbon cutting ceremony at the Harvey Woods Lofts Phase 2 Grand Opening, 2018. #indwell50

📢📺 Part 2 of "Unaffordable: Canada’s Cost of Living Crisis - Part 2" aired this morning on 100 Huntley Street and you can watch it here: https://loom.ly/QlO4RD0 Indwell's St. Mark Place is featured at 20:40. Experience the impact of supportive affordable housing!

🔊PSA! If you're a viewer of 100 Huntley Street, or want to learn more about the relationship between church and affordable housing, Indwell will be featured tomorrow, Wednesday April 24, at 9am. This will be part two of their story from February, which you can view here: https://loom.ly/zbvzkrU Tune in for hope and homes on your home for hope!

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👋 We hope you liked reading about the inspiring work of our Indwell volunteers! To cap off the week, we have a special message from our Volunteer and Student Coordinator: "In speaking with a volunteer the other day, she told me that what she gives out pales in comparison with all that she receives back through volunteering. It is a rich, wonderful, challenging, beautiful journey to come alongside of Indwell tenants. "As the Indwell Volunteer Coordinator, my job is to match volunteers’ hearts and skills to our unique programs throughout all of Southern Ontario. These volunteers provide meals, enjoy coffee/tea chats with tenants, run baking groups, facilitate games night, sew and mend clothes, run recovery groups, lead Bible studies, garden, assemble furniture, serve on our board of directors, raise funds, file documents, and so much more! We are so thankful for you all. "Perhaps you would like to get involved in this awesome mission of providing HOPE and HOMES for ALL! Fill out an application at www.indwell.ca/volunteer and let’s get a conversation started." ❤️ -Sonja Ayodele, Volunteer and Student Coordinator, Indwell

Post 13 of 50 Stories of Indwell If you’ve been keeping up with our social media, then you’re probably aware that it’s National Volunteer Week! At Indwell, we've been celebrating the invaluable contributions of volunteers for 50 years. Back when we started as Homestead Substitute Living Incorporated, volunteers played a pivotal role in everything from organizing movie nights to sharing cooking expertise and lending a hand in our gardens – and that's just scratching the surface. Stories from Indwell’s 25th Anniversary in 1999 vividly illustrate how volunteers became an integral part of the original Homestead community: “The church became more involved. The Young Adults set up a Sports Night one night per week with the residents and Rudy. They played for fun, but they played hard. Then there would be a time to socialize over coffee and a goody. Some kept up the contact with the residents for years, also helping them in woodworking. Many of us still have furniture that was made by the residents.” In our 2021-2022 Annual Impact Report, we were thrilled to share that more than 130 dedicated volunteers collectively devoted 1,327 hours to supporting Indwell over the course of a year. And guess what? That number has continued to soar! It’s remarkable to reflect on how we're woven into an amazing community of compassion and support. #indwell50 #NVW2024 #EveryMomentMatters Pictured: 1) Volunteers help paint Caroline Apartments, 2005. 2) Volunteers socialize at the annual Wentworth Program community barbecue, 2011. 3) 70+ volunteers help assemble furniture and clean before tenants move in at The Station in St. Thomas, 2023. 4) Excerpts from the Homestead Christian Care Newsletter, 2003 (top left), 1997 (top right), 2004 (bottom).

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National Volunteer Week continues! Today we're grateful for the service of Ken Haagsma from London. Here's his story: "I have been aware of Indwell for many years going back to when it was still called Homestead. It wasn’t until Indwell came to London that “hands on” volunteering became an option for me. I started with the Facilities team in January 2023 and have been working alongside a great group of people ever since. "The work involves keeping the facilities in good order and fixing just about anything that comes up. I've really enjoyed getting to know tenants in both Woodfield Gate and Embassy Commons and can attest to the emphasis that Indwell puts on building community and relationships. I volunteer because I believe that the dignity, security and stability created by the supportive housing that Indwell provides is having a positive impact in my community." If you're inspired to volunteer with Indwell, visit indwell.ca/get-involved. #NVW2024

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