Floyd Perras of Siloam Mission, Shanine, Graffiti Art Programming Inc. participant, Bob Veruela, Graffiti Art Programming Inc., Ivan Holloway of the Downtown BIZ, and Beverly Roberts of Red Road Lodge during a news conference on Monday, April 21, 2013. (HANDOUT)
The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ awarded more than $100,000 to three downtown area organizations on Monday to combat homelessness.
Through its Change for the Better program, the BIZ announced funding for the Graffiti Art Programming Inc. ($15,990), Siloam Mission ($50,000), and Red Road Lodge ($39,200).
“Business is beginning to realize that homelessness is a community problem — it affects everyone, and everyone pays for it,” said Stefano Grande, executive director of the Downtown BIZ. “This financial support represents a larger commitment from the corporate community in creating employment opportunities for those who are homeless or at-risk of becoming homeless.”
The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ recruited over 100 Winnipeg CEOs and community leaders to spend one evening downtown at the CEO Sleepout events in 2011 and 2012 to raise awareness about homelessness and poverty issues in the city.
Donations can be made at ChangeForTheBetter.org.
— Staff
