Current Projects
Kids First Regina – In 2013, Namerind announced a new partnership with Kids First Regina, an organization dedicated to supporting children and families by enhancing parenting knowledge, providing support, and building on family strengths. The project provides affordable housing to Regina families by using homes purchased by Namerind that have been upgraded and renovated by Namerind’s team of contractors and trades. The project was piloted with six homes and the two organizations plan to continue to work together, building on this effort, to support young families so that they can have a safe and suitable home where children can flourish.
Each home provided by Namerind is now home to a young family and will allow Kids First to conduct home visits to support parenting, nutrition, education, employment and other skills crucial to the family’s success. Kids First runs a variety of programs promoting healthy behaviours, supporting families as they prepare for the birth of their child, then continuing to support parents as they navigate challenges and build the necessary skills to raise a healthy family. For more information on Kids First, their partnerships and programs, please visit www.kidsfirstregina.com.
Regina and District Chamber of Commerce – Our partnership with the CoC began a number of years ago when our CEO, Robert Byers, was named to their Board of Directors. We developed strong ties with the CoC and eventually formed an advisory board for Namerind made up of local business leaders. This advisory board made it possible for us to transition into the multi-dimensional organization that we are today. We have continued to sponsor a number of awards, such as the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce’s Community Partnerships Award, and the Environmental Sustainability Award. It is important for us to maintain strong ties to our business community in order to continue to grow so that we can provide the best affordable housing to the most tenants possible.
Oxford House Society, Regina – Our partnership with the Oxford House Society provides three houses where 16 people are provided transitional housing as they move from homelessness and troubled times towards being part of our community. The Oxford House offers a unique concept in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Each house is a democratically run, self-supportive and addiction-free home.
Currently, we are working on a fourth house which will house six people, for a total of 22 individuals in this transitional housing environment. We are proud to provide and maintain homes as part of this programs in addition to the rest of our affordable housing stock, rehabilitating those in our community who have fallen on hard times and giving them the support they need.
Street Worker’s Advocacy Project – Our partnership with Street Worker’s Advocacy Project supports a number of women, who might otherwise be homeless and struggling, recovering from drug and alcohol abuse while raising young children. The program provides transitional housing to women ages 15-25 for up to an 18 month period, giving them counselling, support, and a home to raise their baby as they get their lives back on track.
Namerind purchased an 18-unit apartment complex and renovated the units to modern standards to provide a comfortable home for the women and children living there. The only program of its kind in Regina, Street Worker’s Advocacy Project provides an atmosphere of support, while women learn skills for healthy living, while keeping mothers and babies together as they get on track to live a healthy life.
Street Culture – “We at the Street Culture Project are happy to partner with Namerind Housing and enjoy a close working relationship. This partnership has most recently resulted in the two agencies combining resources to meet a much needed need in our community. A beautiful Namerind-owned 8 suite apartment located close to Street Culture’s Downtown Browne’s Emergency Youth Shelter has been re-purposed to offer independent living for youth that have progressed through Street Culture services. This resource offers youth who have ‘aged out’ of Social Services care an affordable, safe, independent and Street Culture supportive living arrangement that these youth would otherwise not have access to, often resulting in unaffordable or unsafe living conditions.
This is a fantastic example of community recognizing a need and working together to meet it!”