Blue Door has received $300,000 in funding from the Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation (AMDF) to enhance its social enterprise Construct program, which is aimed at breaking down barriers to employment for vulnerable young people.
The support from AMDF will enable Construct to continue its empowering individuals to secure stable, long-term careers in the construction industry, a Blue Door news release stated.
“We are so grateful for the continued support from our friends at the Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation. Working together, we are breaking the cycle of poverty by placing vulnerable individuals into jobs in the trades, where they will make a living wage and have access to health care and other benefits,” says Michael Braithwaite, CEO of Blue Door.
“Every investment into our Construct program allows us to contribute to help build the workforce we need to continue to build the affordable housing we desperately need in the midst of this housing crisis,” he added.
The Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of young people by partnering with non-profit organizations like Blue Door. AMDF focuses on supporting initiatives that assist youth facing mental health challenges and experiencing homelessness throughout Ontario.
“AMDF is proud to support Blue Door because of their unwavering commitment to transforming lives through housing stability and innovative employment solutions. We believe that by investing in organizations like Blue Door, we are helping to build a future where everyone can live with dignity and achieve their full potential. Their work in providing not just shelter, but also the comprehensive support necessary for long-term success, aligns perfectly with our foundation’s mission to create meaningful and lasting change in our communities,” said Aubrey and Marla Dan, founders and trustees of the Aubrey & Marla Dan Foundation.
With the support received from AMDF, Construct will continue to provide critical resources, including food, wages, transportation, psychotherapy support, and essential tools and personal protective equipment. This comprehensive approach ensures that each participant thrives throughout their training and beyond, the agency said.
Blue Door’s mission is to enable housing stability by driving innovative housing, health, and employment solutions, to achieve their vision of a Canada where everyone can access dignified housing.
Launched in 2020, Construct aligns seamlessly with Blue Door’s mission by offering support to help individuals overcome employment barriers through training, on-the-job experience, apprenticeship experience, and comprehensive wraparound support services such as wages during training, transportation assistance, psychotherapy, food support, and essential safety equipment.
Since its inception, Construct has successfully launched over 500 individuals into careers in the trades by paying a living wage from Day 1.
To learn more, visit BlueDoor.ca.
