MESSENGER - Evangelical Mennonite Conference

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Eden holds grand opening
Affordable housing to be a safe place for persons with mental health issues
STEINBACH, Man.—On May 13, 2011, the grand opening
was held for a 24-apartment complex in Steinbach,
Man., that will provide safe, affordable housing for persons
with mental health issues—an initiative of Eden
Health Care Services, with which the EMC has long been
involved.
Wilson Courts, a two building, 24-unit Eden East
complex, is located close to downtown Steinbach with its
many services. It was purchased from Mark and Bonnie
Loewen and then renovated.
Deb Taillefer, director of mental health for South
Eastman Health, noted how important housing is for
people living with mental health issues; and how great
it is when organizations work together with the regional
health authority, government agencies such as Manitoba
Housing, as well as business and civic organizations to
make quality community-based projects a reality.
James Friesen, CEO of Eden Health Care Services,
thanked all of the people who had assisted with each
stage of the project.
He noted that Manitoba Housing has been a great
MDS ready to respond to Manitoba flood recovery
Focus will be to help people who ‘ fall through the cracks’
WINNIPEG, Man.—Although parts of the province are
coping with massive flooding, MDS is thinking of the
flood and will respond in recovery and clean-up efforts if
there is a need, says a spokesperson.
MDS and its volunteer network typically focuses on
long-term recovery and is prepared to clean and rebuild
homes for those without adequate resources, said Lois
Nickel.
“Whereas some organizations are busy now supplying
food and staffing evacuation centres, MDS’s role
comes into play when the water recedes and people have
had a chance to assess their damages,” said Nickel.
Although governments have announced they will
provide compensation, there are often people who “fall
through the cracks for some reason or other,” she said.
These are the families and homeowners who MDS typically
helps.
26 THE MESSENGER | July 2011
partner in this project and the previous Eden East project,
Penfeld Court. He thanked Pat Moore, Manitoba
Housing representative, for being a long-time partner
with Eden and its housing projects in Winkler, Steinbach,
and also for a new emerging project in Winnipeg.
Eden and EMC
In front of one of the Wilson Courts buildings: Mark and Bonnie Loewen; Ron
Dyck, Eden East director; Ed Penner, Eden East board member; James Friesen,
Eden CEO; Pat Moore, Manitoba Housing; Bill Kehler, Eden East board chair;
and Deb Taillefer, director of mental health for South Eastman Health.
MDS works in partnership with a network of nongovernment
organizations in the province that respond
to disasters.
MDS was heavily involved in the clean-up and recovery
efforts in Manitoba following the 1997 flood and is
currently involved in reconstructing a house in Emerson
flooded in June 2010.
Donations to MDS’s Manitoba flood response are
welcome. Cheques should be made out to MDS and
designated Manitoba 2011 Flood. They can be mailed to
MDS, 6A-1325 Markham Road, Winnipeg, MB R3T 4J6.
Credit card donations can be made at 866-261-1274 or
online at www.mds.mennonite.net.
MDS is a volunteer network of Anabaptist churches
that responds in Christian love to those affected by disasters
in Canada and the United States.
MDS
PHOTO: EDEN