Written by Dantin Reimer/Al Friesen on Tuesday, 23 April 2013

A great turnout Sunday evening at Eden Foundation's Harmony for Hope concert brought in over $10,000 for the organization.

"It's a delight to get the kind of response that we got," said Eden Foundation's Director of Development Earl Reimer. " There were two types of responses we received. Number one people came to sing, and secondly people came to listen as well. We know that people appreciate choral music. I'm thinking there is an affinity for the type of work that is being done here, in representing the Eden organization."

Reimer has been with the choir since it started in 2005.

"Earlier on when the choir first started, we in fact were asked if we would do that (perform as a fundraiser), because we had done that for a couple of other organizations. There's a love to do the singing, and what the church does as an extension of itself within the context of the community," said Reimer when asked why the choir performed at the fundraiser.

Reimer says the title of the fundraiser fits perfectly with Eden's mission statement, so that all may have hope.

"A great big thank you to many people, those who have attended the concert as listeners in the audience. A great big thank you to those people who have been singing in this event, and a great big thank you to the sponsors," said Reimer.

EDEN FOUNDATION'S DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT - EARL REIMER

Unique Co-operation for Safe Affordable Housing in Winnipeg

Ground-breaking (Left to Right): Matt Wiebe, MLA for Concordia; David Olfert, Concordia Hospital Chair; Lawrence Toet, Member of Parliament for Elmwood-Transcona; Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Housing and Community Development; Glen Klassen, Chair, of Concordia IV Project; Erna Braun, MLA Rossmere; John Janzen, Chair, Eden Health Care Services; James Friesen, CEO, Eden Health Care Services

Kerri Irvin-Ross, Minister of Housing and Community Development

Glen Klassen, Chair of the Concordia IV Project

A new 45 unit safe, affordable, housing project, initiated by Eden Health Care Services of Winkler, held its’ ground-breaking on April 12, 2013 in north east Winnipeg. This new apartment building will be known as Concordia Village IV.

Manitoba’s Minister of Housing and Community Development, Kerri Irvin-Ross, made the announcement to a crowd of 90 interested area residents and supporters Friday morning.

In the past Eden; with its head offices in Winkler, Manitoba, has constructed similar housing projects in Winkler and in Steinbach. These apartments provide safe, affordable housing for individuals and families who cannot afford the cost of today’s market rental rates. Eden’s housing projects support a range of needs including an emphasis on mental health.

The new apartment building will be constructed near Molson Street and Kimberly Avenue on a vacant portion of the Concordia Village campus. Concordia Village, a project of Concordia Wellness Projects Incorporated, is an assisted living housing facility for seniors.

This project brings together a unique partnership between Manitoba Housing, Concordia Wellness Projects and Eden Health Care Services. As Glen Klassen, Eden’s chair of the housing initiative notes, “It is gratifying to live in a society where social projects are initiated and supported by several levels of government in cooperation with non-governmental, faith-based, groups such as Eden.”

The federal government has provided $ 5,700,000 for the project with Manitoba Housing providing the remainder. The total cost of the apartment complex is $ 11,900,000. Eden will be investing in amenities in the common areas to add value to the community building aspect of the apartment.

The staffing component of the building will keep in mind all aspects of special needs of the tenants, providing a positive integrated community.

Eden Health Care Services is a non-profit, faith-based, organization originating in Winkler Manitoba. Begun by Mennonite churches in southern Manitoba, it has been serving people with mental health concerns for over 46 years. The organization has a long history of providing core mental health and related services such as employment, housing and counseling.

Eden’s history of developing safe affordable housing spans 35 years. Eden works from the premise that in order for persons with mental illness to recover, they first need to be safely and appropriately housed. James Friesen, Eden’s CEO states, “This new initiative represents an exciting opportunity for Eden to respond to our constituency in Winnipeg and to the North East sector of Winnipeg specifically. The partnership this project represents will allow the community to benefit significantly.”

It is anticipated that Concordia IV will open its door to residents in August of 2014.

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To speak to someone for more information please contact:

James Friesen, Eden Health Care Services CEO, 204-325-5355

Glen Klassen, Chair of the Concordia IV Project, 204-269-2474