Fire Damages Inner City Youth
Alive Building, Help ICYA Rebuild
In the early evening of April 30th, 2008, a
fire was intentionally set at Inner City Youth Alive claiming
the west side of the workshop area. The Fire Department was able
to take out the blaze, which spread to the roof. Thankfully, no
one was injured. To date, there are no suspects. There is however
significant structural damage and the roof of that building needs
to be replaced. It will take over 3 months to rebuild, costing
approximately $250,000.
On the night of the fire, one of our youth kept
on saying, "My Inner City, my Inner City!" At that
time, no one knew the extent of the damages. I was picturing
our entire facility destroyed, and asked myself, "Would
ICYA still exist if the building was gone!" I realized
that ICYA was more than just the building, that it is about
the relationships that have been nurtured, and it was those
relationships that would continue to grow, whether we had doors
to walk through or not.
-- Janet Blatz
We are very thankful for God's protection over
our organization. We appreciate the support from our community
and volunteers, and the hard work and dedication of the Winnipeg
Fire Paramedic Service and Winnipeg Police Service.
Sadly, some programs have been affected. The
Chopper Club has been moved into a shared space with the race
car program, making it tight and limiting both programs. The woodwork
area used by our work training programs and partners has been
gutted, and all undamaged equipment and material put into storage.
The spray booth and two offices are also unusable.
The bulk of the damages from the fire will be
covered by insurance. To assist in the installation of a sprinkler
system throughout the building to prevent future incident, and
items affected but not insured, such as maintaining our ongoing
programs in our busiest season and other additional operating
costs. Please donate
online to Project Rebuild or call 204-582-8779. When
donating, indicate where you want your support to go.
Thank you for your support and believing in
our community and mission: To Bring Hope and Future through Christ
to Youth and their Families in the Inner City.
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ICYA Fire In The News
From a CTV Winnipeg story:
Fire has claimed part of an inner city youth centre and has left its
executive director wondering if the centre's summer plans have also
gone up in flames.
Fire broke out at Inner City Youth Alive at 418 Aberdeen
Ave. at around 9:15 Wednesday night. The fire started in the top floor,
where the youth centre's wood working shop is, according to District
Chief Ron Lucas. He said fire crews were trying to contain the damage
to upper floor and attic. (read
the full CTV Winnipeg story)
From a CBC News story:
Anthony Maxwell, 15, was working in a shop in
the building with friend Cody Tulloch when they smelled smoke. The pair
dropped their wrenches and hammers, and tried to put out the fire.
"We grabbed fire extinguishers
and … grabbed axes and sledge hammers to move some wood and tried
to put it out," Maxwell told CBC News on Monday night. Thick, black
smoke forced the boys out of the building, and firefighters took over
the battle. (read
the full CBC News story)
From a Winnipeg Sun story:
"Instead of burning our energy being angry
over the fire or being down about it, we want to focus on the positive.
The street party is our day to show our power as a community,"
says Kent Dueck, executive director and co-founder. "Hope is at
the core of our mission. We are inviting the general public to drop
by to write their message of hope on one of the walls where the fire
took place and to make a donation to help with Project Rebuild, covering
expenses of items not covered by insurance and ongoing programs."
(read
the full Winnipeg Sun story)
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