Leamington, ON (February 6^th, 2019) – The Bridge Youth Resource Centre, located in Leamington, ON, provides resources and support to youth who are facing homelessness or precarious housing situations within the Essex County community. In partnership with Peter Quiring, President and CEO of South Essex Fabricating and NatureFresh™ Farms, The Bridge has announced the development of their Phase Two project, a transitionary housing facility which will be named The Quiring Family Fresh Start Housing.

Peter Quiring has been a supporter of The Bridge since its establishment in the Leamington area in 2018. In addition to sponsoring support programs and fundraising events through donations from South Essex Fabricating and NatureFresh™ Farms, Peter and his family have now committed to financing The Bridge Phase Two project up to a $1 million investment.

The Bridge Youth Resource Centre currently provides youth ages 14 to 24 with a recreation area (equipped with computers, games, and leisure activities), a nightly meal program, showers, laundry facilities, a homework area, and a chapel. Youth are also taught life skills, offered mental health supports, and assisted with employment and education at the Centre. Current housing supports are provided in partnership with ACCESS County Community Support Services.

The Quiring Family Fresh Start Housing facility will provide youth in the community who do not have stable access to housing with transitionary housing units. In addition to providing them with a more secure living space, this facility will give youth access to the resources and support network they need to work towards procuring permanent housing.

Krista Rempel, Executive Director at The Bridge, was excited to announce the strategic plan and partnership for Phase Two at their Open House event on February 1^st: “We still have some work to do but with the support of Pete and Cathy Quiring, we are thrilled to be moving forward with Phase 2. As an organization we are confident that providing housing to the youth of the Leamington and greater area is an opportunity to fill a necessary gap in service and support.” 

Peter is constantly searching for new ways to positively contribute to the communities he grows in – this project made perfect sense as his next community-based venture to get involved with: “When I look around this community, I have a lot to be thankful for. My situation as a local business owner has put me in a position where I am able to give back within a community that has given so much to me over the past 25 years. I am proud to partner with The Bridge on this project, but I would also encourage all my fellow business leaders in the Leamington area to also get involved with this important organization.”