Social agency Haven on the Queensway is moving to a new building nearby in May.
Long-time community social agency Haven on the Queensway which has helped thousands of needy area residents is moving and seeking donations to help restore a donated building nearby.
The charity that helps about 3,000 people weekly is trying to raise $250,000 by May when they have to move into a spacious office next door to their current 1533 The Queensway building.
Aretha Khaloo, Haven’s Director of Operations, said the building, which was donated by a developer, requires renovation work, including to the roof and sections of the inside, which the agency is responsible for.
Long-term four-tower complex to be built at 1543 to 1551 The Queensway that will house Haven on the Queensway and Habitat for Humanity among other agencies.
“We have been working hard to find a larger facility that can meet the growing needs of our community while remaining accessible to our clients,”Khaloo explained. “Our agency has grown and we will have move space to help our clients.”
The agency has launched a fundraising drive for the renovation and a planned new mixed-use building complex at 1543 – 1551 The Queensway they will occupy with other charities as Habitat for Humanity, Community Affordable Housing Solutions and St. Clare’s Multi-Faith Housing Society.
Architect drawing of on of the mixed use towers that will house Haven on the Queensway and other social agencies.
The complex will be made up of four towers ranging from 30 to 45 storeys constructed on a site that contains light industrial properties to be demolished.
A development application involving Hariri Pontarini Architects is going through the hearings process and will take some time. When completed the complex will have 342 affordable units out of 1,819 homes.
Haven on the Queensway would operate an over 3,750 square-metre facility across three levels of the podium. It will maintain its core housing services like a food bank, seasonal clothing donation centre, support services for senior citizens and its mobile street help services.
Other services planned include a daycare and playground, a drop-in space capable of hosting a wide range of meetings and events, and an educational centre teaching ESL programs and helping equip people with the tools and resources to find employment.
Meanwhile, Haven’s Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk takes place for the 12th year on February 22 at Sherway Gardens Mall. Supporters will be walking laps around the large mall.
Donations can be made on their website havenontheq.com