When Ottawa PADs gets to 95% of their 4 million dollar fundraising goal, they will start tearing down the current shelter at 1120 Canal Street and start building a brand new 11,260 square foot facility in the same footprint. Right now they have fundraised about 2 million dollars including grants and loans.
Executive Director, Carol Alcorn, says while a new structure is being built, area homeless will be moved to rentals in Ottawa or the Peru PADS.
Currently, PADS receives several hundred thousand a year at their resale shops in Ottawa and Peru. That income pays their bills but it’s not enough to tear down and build a new shelter.
Currently, Alcorn says it’s been extremely busy in Ottawa for homeless services. Since August 8th of this year, they’ve already served 250 people in need of a bed. Last year, from August to May, PADS hit an all-time record of serving 492. Barely into November, they are already at half that mark this year.
Alcorn also says if you are feeling generous, you can drop a donation off at either shelter. You can also go directly to IV PADS dot com to make a donation.