..... NEWS February 2008 Recognizing Outstanding Organizations, People and Housing The Edmonton Housing Trust Fund and the Edmonton Joint Planning Committee on Housing sponsor the ROOPH awards to formally acknowledge the accomplishments of individuals, organizations and businesses who deal with affordable housing and homelessness issues in the city. Congratulations to Murray Soroka who received the award for Outstanding Leadership in the Housing Sector! December 2007 2008 ROOPH Award Nominees Murray Soroka as been nominated in two categories for this years awards: "Outstanding Leadership in the Housing Sector" which recognizes housing professionals in promoting or developing affordable housing or related services. "Exceptional Volunteerism in the Housing Sector" which recognizes dedication to assisting in the promotion or development of housing or related services as an unpaid volunteer. September 2007 On September 3, 2007 West Edmonton MLAs Bruce Miller, Maurice Tougas and Mo Elsalhy hosted a free back-to-school pancake breakfast at Belmead Community Hall. Donations of food, toiletries, clothing and cash were accepted for the Jasper Place Health & Wellness Centre, an agency that provides important supports to people in need in west Edmonton. Murray Soroka, Director of the Wellness Centre (right) accepts a donation from the MLA breakfast. MLAs Tougas, Elsalhy and Miller were pleased to support the Centre. A Good News Story March 2007 "One organization that is demonstrating positive results from the funding provided by the Winter Emergency Response Plan and having a profound impact on the lives of the homeless in the city’s west end is the Jasper Place Health and Wellness Centre. The centre provides employment services, internet access, storage and laundry facilities and referral services to the homeless. At a recent cheque presentation ceremony held at the facility, Murray Soroka who spearheaded the plan to establish the centre along with numerous community partners, spoke of the impact the facility is having on clients. Soroka says 1,600 clients are serviced at the facility each month, including 700-800 people visiting in the evenings and close to 900 people during the day. Seventy-eight people have found full-time jobs with the assistance of the centre and 32 people have found permanent homes. “We did our two hundredth resume the other day and we haven’t even been open a year,” Soroka beams. “We’re thrilled. It’s just been amazing what’s going on here. It takes a community to build a community” he emphasized. Soroka added that 20 people have gone through drug and detox treat-ment since the centre opened last June and hundreds of loads of laundry are done each month at the centre to assist the homeless." EJPCOH Volume 3, Issue 3, March 2007 Christmas Open House At the December Christmas Open House, Laurie Hawn was able to pass on to the Jasper Place Health and Wellness Centre, the generosity of some constituents by presenting a cheque to the founder of the centre, Murray Soroka. Laurie Hawn, MP Fall 2006