As we conclude our first full month of operations, we are pleased to share that despite the approaching spring, “grass is not growing under our feet.” We are making significant strides as we work toward our mission.
First, we would like to extend a warm welcome to Darcy Mykytyshyn, who joins us as our Interim CEO. Darcy has been an integral part of this journey from the very beginning, serving as the Project Manager for the Red Deer Chamber Homelessness Taskforce and, more recently, as a key member of the Transition Team that helped bring the Foundation to life. With a well-established reputation for driving community-focused initiatives, we are grateful to have Darcy on board as we move forward with this critical work fo rour region.
While the logistics involved in establishing a new organization are substantial, the Board of Directors is focused on three priorities:
- Defining a strategic plan
- Engaging key stakeholders within the community
- Ensuring long-term sustainability
As we continue to build the foundational elements necessary for a successful operation, our attention will increasingly shift toward defining the specific role we will play and channeling our efforts into delivering the outcomes originally envisioned during the Foundation’s creation, including the recommendations outlined by the Red Deer District Chamber Homlessness Taskforce. We are pursing meaningful interactions with city administration and council members, beginning to establish a governance framerwork, and will be launching an engagement plan with service providers.
I would also like to express gratitude to my colleagues who are working tirelessly to establish this new organization from the ground up, as well as to the partners and stakeholders in the community who have extended their support and encouragement. Together, we are poised to make a meaningful impact in addressing and reducing homelessness within our community.
Board Members
- Matt Cassidy, President & Chair
- John Young, Secretary
- Ryan Krutzfeldt, Treasurer
- Jim Cramer
- Doug Doran
- Josh Hall
- Kathy Lacey
- Pat Moore
- Dan Ouwehand
- Dustin Quirk
- Lyn Radford
- Scott Robinson
- Linda Yargeau
We Have a Home
In January, we proudly announced that Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP) has graciously offered the Foundation space to establish our new operations. Beginning April 1st, you will find us at RDP’s campus in the Millennium Centre, located in downtown Red Deer. We are excited about the opportunity to build a partnership that extends beyond simply utilizing space, but also offers the potential for collaboration on research and various projects aimed at developing strategies to effectively address the challenges of homelessness.
“We recently released our 2023 strategic plan, which outlines four key Areas of Focus for our institution,” says Patrick Machacek, Vice President of Development and Partnerships at RDP. “Our collaboration with the Homeless Foundation enables us to further advance our efforts in fostering a Social Innovation ecosystem within the community. This ecosystem is centered around the creation and implementation of innovative solutions, practices, and initiatives to address and positively impact social challenges, with a strong emphasis on collaboration, empowerment, and sustainability to enhance the well-being of individuals and communities.”
The partnership is further strengthened by the involvement of two RDP members who serve on our Board of Directors: Dustin Quirk, Instructor at the Donald School of Business, and Doug Doran, Chief Information Officer. Both individuals have deep roots in the community, a passion for community development, and a keen understanding of the significant role post-secondary institutions play in identifying and addressing societal challenges.
Once again, we extend our heartfelt thanks to Red Deer Polytechnic for their continued commitment to strengthening Central Alberta and supporting our collective efforts in tackling homelessness
Why I’m Here..
As we establish the Homeless Foundation in the weeks and months ahead, we want to take the opportunity over the coming editions to introduce you to our Board of Directors. This includes offering them a chance to share, in their own words, why they chose to step up to the challenge.
Dustin Quirk, Red Deer Polytechnic
For Dustin, joining the Homeless Foundation Board was a natural progression, aligning seamlessly with the skills and experiences he has accumulated over the past 20 years. Prior to his current role as a business and economics instructor at Red Deer Polytechnic (RDP), Dustin worked in various capacities at Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Province of Alberta, focusing on housing markets, affordable housing, and homelessness. His career in the housing sector has also included significant local involvement, such as serving for four years on the City of Red Deer’s Community Housing Advisory Board (CHAB). Additionally, Dustin has been deeply engaged in community initiatives, serving as Chair and Vice Chair of the Greater Downtown Action Plan Steering Committee and the Waskasoo Environmental Education Society (Kerry Wood Nature Centre). He has also led student community service-learning projects with local Point In Time Counts and contributed to a recent national study on post secondary student homelessness. With a career-long commitment to researching housing and homelessness, Dustin brings a wealth of expertise and insight to our boardroom.
As he anticipates his role with the Homeless Foundation, Dustin shares: “I am excited to help the Board establish a strategic plan that will enable us to build and foster critical relationships with businesses, non-profits, Indigenous groups, and government entities. Together, we can take decisive action on homelessness and affordable housing in our city. The Foundation is uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in fostering consensus on priorities, coordinating efforts,and devising innovative solutions to address the affordable housing crisis in our community.”
We are delighted to welcome Dustin to our Board and look forward to his invaluable contributions in the months and years ahead.