One of the city's most successful programs aimed at getting young people off the streets is in trouble.
Smoke damage gutted The Doorway after a restaurant fire in the same strip mall on January 11th.
The centre is working with its insurance company to get the place cleaned up but don't know the full scope of replacing office essentials. "If we have to replace computers, there's insurance money for that in some sense but we don't know what the amount will be," says Marilyn Dyck, the executive director of the organization.
The Doorway has helped more than 1,000 young people get off the street. The fire means close to 100 kids don't have access to an important resource.
Aaron McClean graduated from The Doorway program four years ago. "When I was on the street, I felt I had no pride, I didn't know where I belonged and now I'm going to college and making a life for myself,' says McClean.
Officials with The Doorway hope to reopen their doors to youth by the middle of February.
The organization is currently accepting donations and could benefit from some used computers, phones, office furniture and supplies.
To help The Doorway, click on the web link to the right or call 403-837-7622.
