CALGARY – A Calgary organization is working to transform a century old hotel into a transitional housing complex for the homeless.
The Ogden Hotel formally had a bad reputation in the neighbourhood; similar to the Cecil Hotel downtown – drug problems were rampant and troubled individuals lived in the historic building.
A charitable foundation bought the hotel “˜as is’ and is now working to transform both the building and the people inside.
“I feel like I’m starting to live. I’m going to be 48, but I feel 19, starting over like my first apartment,” says Sandra Domenjoz, a resident of the building, now re-named Victory Manor.
There are 50 suites for men and woman who want to become free of their addictions, move off the streets and into their own home.
The foundation has raised 75% of the funding they need to reach their goal, but need help raising the remaining money to complete the renovation of Victory Manor.
“This was a very dark place when we came,” says Don Delaney of the Victory Foundation. “To see transformation one day at a time and take ownership has been an example of what these places can become if someone takes the time to care.”
Over the past two years, the Victory Foundation has housed over 100 people; nearly 75 of those have moved into permanent housing.
Those who want to donate to the project can do so at http://www.victoryfoundation.ca.
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