Huron House Boys Home in Bright's Grove. (BlackburnNews file photo by Rob Jenkins)Huron House Boys Home in Bright's Grove. (BlackburnNews file photo by Rob Jenkins)
Sarnia

Wages, staff hours cut at financially strapped boys' home

Wages are being cut back and staff hours reduced in an effort to keep Huron House Boys' Home running.

The Bright's Grove organization, which provides a safe, structured residential environment, along with counselling and treatment programs to adolescent boys, was already struggling financially when it received word in January that St. Clair Child and Youth Services had made a request to reallocate its funds to other services in the region.

Executive Director Don Adam said if that happens they'll lose $86,000 in funding.

"Our board and our staff team have jointly worked on this endeavour to try and find what cost savings we can while maintaining our great service," he said.

Adam told Blackburn News Tuesday he's agreed to a salary cut and two managers will reduce their work week from five days to four.

"We have been with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS), but that ministry has been dismantled. We became part of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services under the new Ford government and on April 1 we will go to the Ministry of Health. None of the social service agencies that provide children's services that were funded through MCYS are sure what that will look like or how that will be processed."

Adam said they're licensed for 28 beds, but currently only get government funding for six and the proposed funding reduction would limit them to helping just five boys.

While the amount of money raised during Saturday's Men Who Cook Gala was still being tallied, Adam said one of their community supporters launched another fundraiser after the event.

"Marty Raaymakers has issued a challenge or request on Facebook for 100 people to donate $100."

Adam said people seem to be interested in the challenge and they're thankful for the support.

Huron House Boys Home in Bright's Grove. (BlackburnNews file photo by Rob Jenkins)

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