The Boundary Emergency and Transition Housing Society (BETHS), Habitat for Humanity Boundary and Whispers of Hope have signed a memorandum to work together to help the community.
The Memorandum of Understanding is an initiative that unites the three organizations as they move forward in the new year for future purposes and planning.
Ray Hanson, chair of Habitat for Humanity Boundary, noted the purposes focus on helping people with the basic needs of food, shelter, safety, community and housing.
“We see the advantages of working together and we’re trying to move each organization forward,” he said. “It gives us more power as an organization when we go looking for funds because major funders like to support organizations that are working together.”
Hanson pointed out this will also stabilize operations of the groups and enable better communication and collaboration in finding resources.
Grand Forks RCMP's Staff Sgt. Jim Harrison, also chair for BETHS, added it’s the right thing to do.
“I think organizations that support similar interests should come together and pool their resources to make the best things happen, and this is an example of that,” said Harrison, noting this idea has been circulating for several years.
Chair for Whispers of Hope Jake Raven pointed out resources will also stretch a lot further when everyone works together.
A future goal is to find a permanent facility where all three organizations can operate out of, that will provide them with opportunities to share the use of the kitchen, washrooms, and common rooms.
“It would also decrease our individual operating costs, so each individual group isn’t spending money on one thing for themselves,” Harrison concluded. “We can all share the one facility.”
The societies will continue to serve the needs of the community with their individual specialties within the Boundary area.