Craigwood Youth Services gets nearly $50K for fire upgrades
Minister of Infrastructure Monte McNaughton made the announcement in London Friday
A residential treatment facility for young people with complex emotional and mental health needs near Ailsa Craig, Ont. is getting a cash infusion of nearly $50,000 to pay for fire safety upgrades, Infrastructure Minister Monte McNaughton announced today in London.
The money will pay for a new steel fire escape and shatter-resistant school windows at the rural campus of Craigwood Youth Services, said the organization's executive director Graham Ashbourne.
Ashbourne added there are "a couple" areas in one campus building that staff have had to restrict access to, and that the provincial money will also pay for upgrades to bring those areas up to standard.
The money is much-needed, Ashbourne said, because the organization's budget for facility upkeep doesn't always cover daily needs.
"I'm constantly needing to fundraise, I'm constantly needing to make decisions on what we can offer, so this is very helpful," said Ashbourne.
"The more time and energy I have to put into fundraising the less time and energy I have to advancing services."
Ashbourne said the upgrades will reduce ongoing maintenance and allow Craigwood to put more resources into youth services in the years to come.
The project is one of more than 60 projects funded through the province's Partner Facility Renewal Program, according to a ministry news release.
Craigwood Youth Services is an accredited, licensed provider of child and youth mental health services, including counselling, in-home and out-of-home treatment and a secure youth justice facility, Ashbourne said.