Gate 3:16 Outreach Centre getting back on the right track
Organization forced to temporarily shut down services after leaving former home at 394 Simcoe Street South on July 1.
By Dave Flaherty/The Oshawa Express
To say its been a tumultuous summer for every at Gate 3:16 Outreach Centre would be a vast understatement.
The organization, which has served Oshawa’s homeless and less fortunate since 1990, was without a home on July 1.
Mann says there was a combination of factors that led to them leaving their former home at 394 Simcoe Street South.
The organization’s lease had been up for a year, and they were actively looking for another spot.
The property owners had also been notified the building needed to brought up to fire code standards.
“We would have had to get out anyway. It kind of forced our hand,” Mann says.
Despite some issues, Mann says it was a bittersweet moment.
“We were really sad. It worked well for us,” she says.
The search is on for a new home, and Mann says they have some good leads, and she is optimistic they will find something soon.
The temporary closure forced Gate 3:16’s staff and volunteers to jump into action.
“We’ve stored most of our stuff in a storage facility. The staff worked really hard on packing up and downsizing. We were just giving things away left and right,” Mann says.
With almost 130 clients using their wide variety of programs and services a day, it also caused quite a disruption.
However, Mann credits Back Door Mission and New Life Seventh-day Adventist Church, among others in the community, for stepping forward to fill the gaps.
In addition, Mann says her email was flooded with offers of support, some she’s never met or heard from before.
“I can’t thank everybody enough for the support. The whole community has pulled together for us,” she says.
In some ways, the situation had an upside, Mann admits.
“It’s almost a blessing in a way,” she says.
First of all, Mann it gave staff and volunteers an ability to take somewhat of break, and refresh their batteries.
Secondly, Mann says she believes it has put a larger spotlight on the organization, and some new partnerships have emerged.
The entire team is now focused on moving forward and continuing the work they’ve always done.
Gate 3:16 is hosting two upcoming fundraisers.
The first, Ride of the Gate, is an annual bike ride along the Oshawa Creek on Sept. 22.
Mann says the importance of this event is even greater considering the recent happenings.
On Oct. 13, the centre will hosted a concert with folk harpist Eduard Klassen at the King Street Community Church.
For more information or to offer support, visit gate316.org