Happy Holidays and New Year! Eva's Phoenix Rising Capital Campaign Update

As a valued supporter of Eva's Phoenix Rising Capital Campaign, we are pleased to update you on the progress of the campaign and the construction of the new Eva's Phoenix . To date, we have raised $9.6 million of the $11.2 million campaign goal. Members of the capital campaign cabinet are working diligently to invite other members of the community to donate to build this unique facility where homeless youth will have an opportunity to create independence and bright futures.

Construction on the new Phoenix building has progressed very well. Construction is scheduled to be completed by March 2016 and 250 youth each year will have a new home and employment training facility.

As another year draws to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to thank you for all of your volunteer time and financial support for the campaign. Special thanks go out for the many efforts and contributions made by the cabinet during the past year. Like most years at Eva's, this one has been a very busy one, but one thing that remains constant is the steadfast determination of the youth at Eva's to overcome the challenges that led to homelessness.

Most importantly, thanks to your support, we continue to make a big difference in the lives of hundreds of homeless young people. Youth who previously had little hope, support or hope for the f uture, are now entering 2016 with optimism, skills, homes of their own and a bright future.

Wishing you the very best for the new year ahead.

Sincerely,

J. Lorne Braithwaite

Chair,

Eva's Phoenix Rising Capital Campaign

Maria Crawford

Executive Director,

Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth

Eva's Phoenix which offers shelter and services for youth is $1.5 million from fundraising target

Eva's is calling on the community to help finish the capital campaign to build a transitional residence and employment training facility for homeless youth in Toronto. A donation of $250 or more will give individuals the opportunity to put their name on an interior brick.

Read the latest Metroland Media news coverage here .

Construction Update

Construction at the new Eva's Phoenix continues, with preparing for skylight installation, installing steel stud walls for the rooms and completing the mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, sprinkler system, and electrical. The photos below show a snapshot of the progress to date. The new home of Eva's Phoenix is really starting to take shape and look like a great place where Eva's youth can learn new skills and have the supports they need to transition to independent living.

Preparation for skylight installation

Exposed ceiling with plumbing and lights

Mechanical HVAC, plumbing sprinkler system, and electrical installed

Drywall commencing

Steel stud walls installed

Determined to Overcome and Succeed in Life

Meet Michael, our first graduate of the construction and property maintenace program to participate in the New Phoenix build. He has been working full time with Somerville construction and was recently offered employment with the Toronto District School Board.

Michael shares, " I used to live at Eva's. Within the few weeks of my stay, I was told about the property maintenance and construction program. I applied for it right away and they called me back for an interview. I was in the program in the summer time for eight weeks in 2014. The program was very hands-on and because it was a small motivated group it provided a good chance to learn as the instructor was right there with you. The instructors made sure you understood and used the tools properly and genuinely cared for my future well-being. They made sure I was working in a safe environment and not working in a harmful way. We were graded for our education and training. I was the top of my class and received 98%. This boosted my confidence. I was extremely dedicated and hungry to get over my situation and succeed in life. After I graduated from the program in September 2014 I was hired by Sommerville Construction to work full-time on the new Phoenix build. I feel great, I'm doing something that I like to do and I know it's helping other youth by providing them with a safe roof over their heads and access to job training skills like I had. "

To learn more about Eva's award winning employment and training programs click here.

Watch: Property and Construction and Maintenance Property Video

Dave Bedini, Program Lead, Construction and Property Maintenance

At Eva's, we recognize that youth cannot be self-sufficient if they have housing without a decent job to pay for it, or a job with no place to live. Employment is critical to long-term self-sufficiency and we are committed to providing youth with the skills and support required for them to be able to earn a stable income and successfully transition into independent living.

Carpenter's Union Latest Gift Creates Excitement Via Social Media at City Hall

Joe Cressy, Councillor Ward 20

We are thankful for our recent gift of $100,000 followed by a cheque ceremony that took place inside Toronto City Hall on October 15, 2015.

What made this gift ceremony unique was seeing the public and private sectors together in a city building initiative to support homeless youth. T hroughout the event many city leaders were Tweeting in excitement.

Special mention and thanks to Mike Yorke, President of Carpenters Union, Local 27 whose philanthropic efforts dates back to 1994 with Eva's. Thank you for providing a fresh start to Eva`s homeless youth with employment and training opportunities.

Mike Yorke, President, Carpenter's Union (Local 27)

GO JAYS GO! What an Astonishing Year

Robert Witchel, Executive Director of Jays Care Foundation

Eva's Phoenix Rising Capital Campaign is a proud recipient of Jays Care Foundation's Field of Dreams grant in the amount of $150,000.

To commemorate, Mayor John Tory's declaration of October 27th, 2015 as "Jays Appreciation Day", w e were fortunate to have had a chance to briefly sit down with Robert Witchel, Executive Director of Jays Care Foundation to honour Jays Care Foundation and his philanthropic initiatives. He brings a wealth of experience more than 25 years in international business development and in the charitable sector. We are thankful for Robert's and Jays Care Foundation's support. To read the full interview click here .

Neighbours welcome the new Phoenix build

Maria Crawford giving a tour

Maria Crawford, Executive Director of Eva's Initiatives for Homeless Youth, treated some local residents and members of Build Toronto to a tour of the construction site at 60 Brant Street. In hard hats and safety boots the group traipsed through living and office spaces as well as through the print shop which will be located in the basement. Maria explained how the spaces would be used, which architectural structures would be preserved or modified, where entrances and exits would be positioned providing the group with a clear picture of what can be expected from this newest addition to the neighbourhood. Catherine Mitchell who participated in the tour thrilled with the new Phoenix build said,

"As a neighbour and member of the Garment District Neighbourhood Association (GDNA), I am very happy to welcome Eva's Phoenix. The work on the 'Waterworks' building to make it home for transitioning youth is one we have watched with eager anticipation for some time.

Thanks to Maria and her enthusiastic team, including the construction workers, who have been so open in giving us tours of the eventual facility. It looks great. I can't wait to get my business cards reprinted at the printing shop. I hope our neighbours support this wonderful initiative."

(Source: Garment District Neighbourhood Association's blog)

The Odette Family Takes an Exclusive Tour

Left to right: Andrea, Marc, Anne

T he E. & G. Odette Foundation and the P. & L. Odette Foundation each contributed $500,000 to Eva's Phoenix Rising Capital Campaign. They made a special visit for a behind the scene hardhat tour of the construction site. We want to honour both foundations for their philanthropic initiatives to build a legacy of opportunity and possibility for homeless youth.

"The E. & G. Odette Foundation was pleased to give a meaningful gift to support Eva's Capital Campaign for Homeless Youth. Our initial visit exceeded our expectations when we toured the housing and training facility. We see young people facing challenges that they should not have to face but we also see them surmounting those challenges gaining in strength and self sufficiency."

- Andrea Federer and Anne Odette (E. & G. Odette Foundation)

"Whether you are young, middle age or old, homelessness is a complicated and challenging issue in this country. Our Foundation is proud to have been able to contribute to Eva's Capital Campaign so that homeless youth have a modern, safe environment that supports their efforts to secure a more stable life and achieve their goals. Eva's does amazing work with limited resources. It is a successful, well run organization, with compassion. It is organizations like Eva's that we, as a Foundation, are attracted to when considering donation requests."

- Marc Odette (P. & L. Odette Foundation)

Eva's Makes the TOP 10!

Eva's has been chosen as one of Charity Intelligence's top 10 charities, in terms of Social Return On Investment (SROI).

Every $1 invested in Eva's has $9 of social benefit for homeless youth. You can read the full Charity Intelligence Canada report here, and CBC news coverage here .

Thank you to Eva's Phoenix Rising Capital Campaign Donors

"This photo features five former homeless youth. All of us are doing something amazing with our lives, and all of us, have come together to help make the new Eva's Phoenix a reality. None of us knew each other previously, nor did we all live together at Eva's, but through awareness, speaking, fundraising, and completing the physical construction of the building - we have all united to make sure future youth are given a second chance to shine" - Emily Wright (Read the full story here)

How Can You Help?

Want an idea for a gift to give to a person who has everything? Make a $250 donation and put their name on a brick at the new Eva's Phoenix.

The easiest and fastest way to make a financial contribution to the Campaign is by donating online. You can mail cheques to Eva's or call directly Monday to Friday from 9am - 5pm at 416-977-4497.