Winnipeg will soon be home to an International Teams Canada refugee housing community. Tim Nielsen of City Connexions Winnipeg says that the new house will provide much-needed temporary housing for many of the refugees expected to arrive in Winnipeg over the next few years. "We have a number of very strong private sponsorship programs going here in Winnipeg. Canadian churches won't be sponsoring any new refugees in 2012 due to a cap implemented by the government to try to clear up an application backlog, but we expect quite a few of the backlog will be coming here. The need for housing in Winnipeg is greater than ever."
City Connexions, along with a private foundation committed to paying the bulk of the mortgage, are in the process of making an offer to purchase a house that was formerly operated by another ministry as a halfway house. Tim and the rest of the planning team are confident it is an ideal fit for their needs. "It's a 9 bedroom house with lots of flexibility in its layout. The renovations on the home completed by the previous owners were all very well done in terms of safety. Right now, we're in the process of hiring a potential director. We're also in the process of developing our programs, philosophy of ministry, procedures, and budget. A lot of the details are still in development, but we expect the home will open in the fall."
Tim says that as they work out the purchase of the home and their strategy for the coming months, prayer and financial support are their greatest needs. "We're very grateful for the foundation's money, but still need to raise approximately $50,000 each year to support the costs above and beyond the mortgage, plus some additional funds to cover furniture, kitchen supplies, paint, and some renovations. We would also appreciate prayer for wisdom in developing the structure and programs, that our financial needs would be met, and that God will open the door for solid partnerships with local churches. We want to find churches to be behind the ministry, to send their people to serve at the house and be a key part of it."
To learn more about City Connexions Winnipeg or to make a financial gift in support of the new refugee home, click here.
