Indwell’s Hope and Homes dinner showcases positive impacts, shares future plans

Administration member Susan joined supporters Joanne and Cara in celebrating Indwell’s mission and the continued call for more affordable housing. (Ron Yuzark Photo)

Emily Stewart, Echo Correspondent

The Hope and Homes dinner was filled with inspiring tales of how Indwell is making a difference by providing homes to those in need.

Indwell held its annual Hope and Homes dinner in Woodstock at the Maranatha Christian Reformed Church on the evening of Nov. 5. As the 100+ dinner guests, including residents of Indwell’s Blossom Park and Harvey Woods Lofts residences in Woodstock, had a barbeque chicken and roast beef dinner, members of the organization and greater community reflected on Indwell’s successes and future.

In the lobby before dinner, guests could view artwork created by residents, explore an interactive housing diorama, learn more about harm reduction and how to become involved with Indwell as a volunteer, and/or purchase preserves made by Blossom Park residents. The preserves have ingredients from a community garden started and run by Blossom Park residents.

The dinner highlighted the 10th anniversary of its Harvey Woods Lofts, a formerly abandoned textile factory transformed into an 80-unit housing area, and residents in Indwell homes, both in-person and via a short video, talked about how Indwell changed their lives for the better, including providing stability, a sense of belonging, and wrap-around supports, and improved their outlook on life.

"Every day, we see people move from crisis to stability, from isolation to connection, from surviving to thriving, and I am so grateful to be part of this community with you," Tracy Daichendt, program manager of Indwell, said during her speech at the dinner.

Indwell is a Christian-based organization providing affordable and supportive housing with support services for those with mental health challenges and has provided housing for more than 1,300 tenants across Ontario. The organization has 141 units in Woodstock and is looking to add more programming provincially, including the first Sarnia/Lambton County Indwell location.

The organization also announced a new initiative called Gather, which will provide affordable housing to anyone struggling to find a place to live in today’s housing market.

More information about Indwell’s programming can be found online by visiting https://indwell.ca.