Novelis Neighbour Week helps renovate new Kingston Youth Shelter location
Since 2012, employees from Novelis have been volunteering their time to offer hands-on help with United Way projects here in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington (KFL&A).
This year, that work will see Kingston Youth Shelter get some much-needed renovations, as Novelis employees install new flooring, and paint three rooms at the new Kingston Youth Shelter location at 365 Nelson Street. Kingston Youth Shelter provides local youth with a supportive and stable environment, while also providing the tools and life skills needed to help youth escape their immediate or ongoing housing crisis.
According to a release from the United Way, through much of the pandemic, due to restrictions, the youth shelter has been operating out of locations on Brock Street, Ridley Street, and Queen’s University campus. The new location will allow the shelter to operate out of a building that is more accessible and has increased capacity. The new space will be able to house as many as 24 youth, ages 16 to 24, overnight.
“We are thrilled to have Novelis support United Way KFL&A once again through the Novelis Neighbour program,” said Bhavana Varma, President and CEO of United Way of KFL&A. “These renovations will help the youth shelter better serve youth in their new location. We are so grateful for the ongoing support of local Novelis volunteers and the amazing work they do each year through this initiative.”
The three-floor Youth Shelter has separate floors for boys and girls, according to the release. Novelis employees will be installing laminate over an old wood floor, with a layer of plywood where the floor needs special attention. They will also be replacing taps and fixtures to make the bathrooms more functional.
“Novelis takes great pride in being a good neighbour and giving back to the communities in which we work and raise our families. We are excited about the opportunity to bring our team together to make a difference in our community,” said Kayla Kent, Human Resources Manager at Novelis and volunteer with the Novelis Neighbour project. “Knowing the work we do will make a difference in the lives of youth in the months and years to come is a wonderful feeling. We appreciate the partnership with the United Way that enables us to link with community agencies”
The project starts today, Monday, Oct. 24, 2022, and will continue all week with volunteers on-site from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day.
Previous projects Novelis, the “world’s premier producer of rolled aluminum and the global leader in aluminum recycling,” have taken part in, as part of the company’s global Novelis Neighbour Week, include the Youth Hub in Napanee, the Community Food Redistribution Warehouse, Home Base Housing and many others.