Laura Power
Northern News Services
Friday, April 27, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE - Around $91,000 was raised at an auction Wednesday night for Bailey House, a transition home for homeless men that started construction yesterday.

Donors bought "Bailey bricks" at a fundraiser at the Top Knight with dollar values ranging from $1,000 to $25,000.

Lydia Bardak, co-chair of the Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition, couldn't confirm whether any of the $25,000 bricks sold in the auction. Regardless, she was pleased by the amount of money raised.

"We're going to break it out in a very concrete way so people can see how they're helping," said Bardak.

The money raised through the auction will go towards such items as elevators, appliances, landscaping and window covers.

Bardak said donors will be recognized through individual plaques.

While Bardak thought Wednesday night's fundraiser was successful, she said there is still a ways to go.

The $5.1 million project is still about $400,000 short, said Bardak.

"We'll have more fundraising appeals as the project progresses," said Bardak.

Funding for the home secured so far includes $1.5 million from the federal government's Community Capacity Fund, $1.57 million from the federal Homelessness Initiative, and $1.75 million from the NWT Housing Corporation.

The city has donated the land for the site, Northland Utilities is supplying free power during construction, and Diavik Diamond Mine is chipping in $50,000 plus taking on the reigns as project manager. The home is named after the late Rev. Gordon Bailey and his wife Ruth, who took countless people into their home in need of a helping hand.

On Wednesday, April 25, a crowd gathered next to the site of construction at Franklin Avenue and 44th Street for the construction launch.

Those present were treated to a barbecue.

"This is a very good day for Yellowknife," said Brendan Bell, minister responsible for homeless in the NWT, in a speech he made applauding the project.

Lydia Fuller, co-chair of the Yellowknife Homelessness Coalition, said "it's been great to be part of a coalition that works together to address the needs of the community."

When completed, Bailey House will house up to 32 men.

The first floor will be reserved for clients starting out with the program. They will be housed in individual suites with a central washroom and kitchen.

As they make progress they will be moved onto the second floor where there are 16 self-contained units with private washrooms and kitchenettes.

Bardak said at the moment there is an urgent need for the men's homeless shelters, with up to 44 men staying at the Salvation Army's emergency centre per night.

"In the winter they're at capacity," she said.

As discussed with the YWCA and the Centre for Northern Families, who are very supportive of the men's shelter, she said she is committed to eventually starting a similar project for women.

"We needed to put all of our efforts into one big project," she said.