The Enercare Fresh Start Program provides individuals and families that are transitioning into permanent housing with personalized packages to help them build their new homes.
ST. CATHARINES, ON – On Thursday, July 6th the first Enercare Fresh Start package was delivered to a Niagara family who recently moved from Bethlehem Housing and Support Services’ transitional housing program into permanent housing. Each Enercare Fresh Start package contains simple necessities, comfort items and small luxuries to help families get back on their feet.
The first Niagara region recipient, Shaniqua, is a young single mother to a one-year-old girl. She came to Bethlehem Housing just over a year ago with her newborn seeking assistance. When Shaniqua moved into Bethlehem Housing, she was connected with a personal support worker who worked one-on-one with her to develop a personal growth and transition plan. She recently secured permanent housing in the community and is beginning a new life with her daughter.
When the Enercare Fresh Start team pulled up at her new home they were greeted by Shaniqua and her outgoing daughter. Shaniqua was grateful for the items she received in her Enercare Fresh Start Package, which included new bedding for herself and educational toys for her daughter.
“I am ecstatic! I wouldn’t have been able to afford these items on my own,” said Shaniqua. “If I wasn’t at Bethlehem Housing I wouldn’t have had this opportunity. I am very thankful to the Enercare Fresh Start team.”
Enercare representatives were delighted to be able to personally deliver the Fresh Start package to Shaniqua and her daughter. John Samcoe, Enercare District Sales Manager, is one of the local Enercare representatives that coordinated the development and assembly of the personalized packages.
“It was a pleasure to shop for Shaniqua and her daughter. My daughter is also one-year-old, so I bought Shaniqua’s daughter one of my daughter’s favourite toys,” said John Samcoe. “The Enercare team has been working in the Niagara community for decades and it is nice to be able to support families that live in the communities where we live and work.”
The Enercare Fresh Start Program launched in September 2016 and has supported 17 families in partnership with York Region’s Yellow Brick House and downtown Toronto’s Red Door Family Shelter. In 2017, the program announced a partnership with Bethlehem Housing and Support Services in Niagara to support 20 families in the community.
Click here for more information on the Enercare Fresh Start Program.
About Bethlehem Housing and Support Services
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services is a multi-service organization serving the diversified needs of Niagara residents by offering support for individual growth through housing and other focused services. Bethlehem Place is a one year transitional housing program open to men, women and their children with a focus on families who are homeless due to issues with poverty, physical disability, mental health, domestic violence and family breakdown. During their stay, our Community Support Workers assist and support the families in making a successful transition from their current situation to having a safe and stable home. Click here for additional information about Bethlehem Housing and Support Services.
About Enercare Inc.
Enercare Inc. is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario and is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: ECI). As one of North America's largest home and commercial service and energy solution companies, with approximately 4,500 employees under its Enercare and Service Expert brands, Enercare is a leading provider of water heaters, water treatments, furnaces, air conditioners and other HVAC rental products, plumbing services, protection plans and related services. With operations in Canada and the United States, Enercare serves approximately 1.6 million customers annually. Enercare is also the largest non-utility sub-meter provider with electricity, water, thermal and gas metering contracts for condominium and apartment suites in Canada and through its Triacta brand, a premier designer and manufacturer of advanced sub-meters and sub-metering solutions. Click here or additional information about Enercare.
Contact:
Jennifer Sinclair
Bethlehem Housing and Support Services
jsinclair@bethelhemhousing.ca
905-684-1660 ext. 2
Perry Schwartz
Enercare Home Services
Perry.Schwartz@enercare.ca