Mission in homestretch to raise $1 million to be matched by philanthropist

Staring at an Oct. 31 finish line to receive donations that will be matched by philanthropist Al Quesnel, the Downtown Mission is appealing to the public to give $500,000 on top of the $500,000 already raised.

Quesnel has pledged to match all donations up to a maximum of $1 million for the Mission’s Wellness Centre Phase II campaign, which creates the potential for a $2-million total.

“It’s a game-changer for us — the largest gift we’ve ever received, by about four times,” mission executive director Ron Dunn said. “It will change a lot of lives.”

Since Quesnel announced his commitment, about $500,000 has been raised, mostly from private individuals, according to Dunn. “Which is a miracle in itself — but we’re only halfway.”

Money from the campaign will help fund programs at the mission’s new wellness centre, which opened in the spring at 875 Ouellette Ave. These include recovery programs for men and women,

increased services for youth, and expanded health centre facilities.

“We have more and more people on the street, with complex issues that cannot be fixed with handouts,” Dunn said in a news release.

“With our community and Al Quesnel behind us, we will improve the quality of people’s lives.”

The first phase of the wellness centre campaign involved opening the centre, expanding the food bank and moving the shelter to the new location with beds instead of mats on the floor. Quesnel paid for those original 75 beds. Now the mission is expanding to 103.

“Trust me when I say no more room. I can’t squeeze in another bed,” said Dunn.

Dunn said the mission is currently working on establishing a free dental clinic, trying to recruit 200 local dentists to each volunteer one day per year at the clinic.