Mar
03
2011

Canadian Funding Cares!

Canadian Funding Corp.

Dear Friend,

These are some of the most challenging days I have witnessed since The Fellowship’s
ministry began.

Literally hundreds of thousands of those in need both in Israel, the former Soviet Union and
elsewhere are crying out for help. They are showing courage in the face of vicious anti-Semitism and
economic loss-but frankly, I don’t know how much longer many of them can hang on!

The people of Israel and those in distressed countries have faced great adversity before. What
is extraordinary about these days, however, is the near-collapse of networks of caring organizations
which have been providing assistance to those in destitute conditions for years.

One case in point is the extreme situation in the former Soviet Union, where millions of dollars
in previous aid to the elderly and impoverished children vanished in the global economic crisis.

Perhaps it was in times similar to these the psalmist looked up and said, “I lift up my eyes to
the hills-where does my help come from?” (Psalm 121: 1).

Then he answered his own question with this ringing affirmation: “My help comes from the
LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip-he who watches over you
will not slumber, indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (w. 2-4).

We must firmly embrace these words from Scripture, both for the future of
Israel and for those suffering in dozens of distressed countries who need our help

This is why I am grateful for this opportunity to send you the enclosed ministry
vouchers for our On Wings of Eagles, Guardians of Israel, and Isaiah 58 programs of
rescue and compassion.

These vouchers are a wonderful Fellowship tradition which enables you to bring lifesaving
assistance and rescue for thousands of suffering people who depend on friends like you for their
rescue, daily care-and often, their very lives!

Therefore, I encourage you with all my heart to activate these vouchers in the manner God
puts on your heart through your generous gift. Your voucher(s) and gift will bring immediate and
welcome relief by releasing vital care.

For example, it still costs just $350 to help provide the aliyah of a Jew from Russia, Ethiopia,
Arab lands, or other countries via On Wings of Eagles. Through the enclosed Wings of Eagles Flights
and Resettlement Voucher, you can help more needy Jews return to Israel in fulfillment of Bible
prophecy and get settled in their new lives.

The Fellowship also continues to assist Israel’s poorest men, women, and children-those who
are often beyond the reach of the limited social service funds the government has available.

Many frantic Israeli mayors are rushing to our doors expressing their desperate hope that caring
Fellowship supporters like you will make it possible for the poor in their cities to be included in the
assistance we provide as Guardians of Israel.

Thus I hope you will activate the enclosed Guardians Assistance and Shelter Voucher to help
supply the essentials of life and bring hope to hurting people throughout the Holy Land.

And God helping us, we will stay the course in our vital lifesaving outreach to the tens of
thousands of elderly-many of whom are Holocaust survivors-and children whose literal survival
depends on the food, clothing, and shelter they receive through our Isaiah 58 program.

Your help is most critical at this time. Indeed, it is imperative we act now if these remnants
of Israel are to have the food, heating fuel, warm clothing, and other things needed to survive.

Your generous contribution along with the Isaiah 58 Care of Hardships Voucher is urgently
needed as The Fellowship assumes the increased and expanded responsibility for frail and
impoverished seniors and fragile children who have no one else to tum to for help.

My dear ministry partner, my desire in this letter is to let you know about the breadth of the
needs we are facing. We simply cannot tum our faces away from those who need us so desperately.
And in telling you this, I want to encourage you with the reminder that God only asks each of us to
do what we can, and as He has already provided for us to do.

For you, that may mean helping the needy in Israel-or those in the former Soviet Union and
other parts of the world who are looking for a helping hand. With this in mind, please prayerfully read
over the enclosed vouchers and then do what you can to help. And if you are able to make a special
gift to The Fellowship to activate one or more extra vouchers, I know God will bless you for it.

Please help Israel and desperately needy people in many distressed countries by returning your
care vouchers and gift to The Fellowship today. As you stand boldly with us in saving lives, I want
to also send this biblical blessing which is my prayer for you: “Be strong and let your heart take
courage” (Psalm 27:14).

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for helping in these days of struggle.

With prayers for shalom, peace,

Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein
Chairman

P.S. When you mail the lifesaving vouchers with your contribution, you will be bringing help to
thousands of hurting people. Please affirm your desire to be a source of hope and life for the
needy. God bless you for helping us with this sacred calling.

Apr
14
2010

Governments of Canada and Newfoundland and Labrador Celebrate Ten New Affordable Housing Units in Lewisporte

Posted by Moishe Alexander

The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works and Minister Responsible for Newfoundland Labrador Housing (Housing), today announced $350,000 to support the construction of a new affordable housing development in Lewisporte.

Funding for this project has been made available through Canada’s Economic Action Plan. The Federal and Provincial governments are contributing equally to this overall investment of $58 million under the amended Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Affordable Housing Program Agreement.

“Through Canada’s Economic Action Plan, our government is taking concrete action to help ensure our economic recovery and create the conditions for long-term growth,” said Minister MacKay. “Funding new construction projects like these projects will not only improve the overall housing conditions, and quality of life of its residents by keeping their homes safe and affordable for years to come, but also help stimulate the local economy and create jobs.”

“We have been making great strides in helping to increase the availability of affordable housing throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,” said Minister Hedderson. “This announcement of 10 new units in Lewisporte is one of dozens of similar affordable housing partnerships that have come to fruition over the past year or will in 2011, each of which will enable low-income seniors and persons with disabilities to live independently and with integrity.”

“I am proud to be part of making these new affordable homes a reality in Lewisporte,” said Clayton Gillingham, of CWG Enterprises Ltd. “This partnership between the federal and provincial governments and our company will help meet the housing needs of our seniors for years to come.”

The project will involve the construction of two three-bedroom, five two-bedroom, two one-bedroom units and one bachelor unit; including one unit for persons with disabilities. The federal/provincial funding includes $315,000 from Housing for Low-Income Seniors as well as $35,000 under Housing for Persons with Disabilities. The proponent will provide the remaining funding to cover the cost of the project. The anticipated completion date for this project is August 2011.

Canada’s Economic Action Plan provides $475 million, over two years, to build new rental housing for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. Overall, the Economic Action Plan includes $2 billion for new and existing social housing, plus up to $2 billion in loans to municipalities for housing-related infrastructure.

One of the key objectives for the Provincial Government is to stimulate the development of affordable rental housing in the private, public and non-for profit sectors. Provincial priority is on rental housing for seniors, persons with disabilities and those who require supports to live independently in the community.

Apr
14
2010

Governments of Canada and Quebec and City of Montréal Partner to Redevelop Place de l’Acadie

Posted by Moishe Alexander

Work is progressing well on the Ressources habitation de l’Ouest and Maison CACI projects that will soon breathe new life into the site of Place de l’Acadie. These two housing projects will provide 223 units for low- and modest-income households in the borough of Ahuntsic – Cartierville, in Montréal.

This observation was made today, on the occasion of the site visit, by Senator Claude Carignan, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation; Christine St-Pierre, Member of the National Assembly for Acadie and Minister of Culture, Communications and the Status of Women, on behalf of Laurent Lessard, Minister of Municipal Affairs, Regions and Land Occupancy; and Gérald Tremblay, Mayor of Montréal, in the presence of community partners.

The construction of these units represents an investment of more than $38 million. These projects are being developed thanks to a contribution of nearly $25 million on the part of public partners. The governments of Canada and Quebec are jointly providing close to $17 million through the AccèsLogis Québec program and under the Affordable Housing Initiative Program Extension Agreement signed between Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and the Société d’habitation du Québec (SHQ). The City of Montréal provided more than $4.8 million, which will be partially repaid by the Montréal Metropolitan Community out of the social housing fund to which the 82 municipalities on its territory contribute, including the City of Montréal, which provides almost half of the funding.

Moreover, some $3 million in financial assistance was provided in equal shares by the Government of Quebec and the City of Montréal, under the Renovation Québec program.

“Our government is committed to giving a hand up to Quebecers who need some help in these tough economic times,” said Senator Carignan. “Through projects like these, our government is providing safe, affordable housing to many residents in our community, while creating jobs and stimulating our economy.”

“The development of these two major projects is excellent news for the people of Montréal and demonstrates the importance that our government attaches to ensuring the wellness of the citizens of Quebec. Thanks to the combined efforts of the different partners, many families and individuals will soon benefit from 223 safe, quality housing units that meet their needs, at an affordable cost, right here in the riding of Acadie,” said Minister St-Pierre.

“The Acadie project is both a victory and a rebirth — a victory for the tenants and a rebirth for a whole neighbourhood and its population. Before, Place de l’Acadie was synonymous with unhealthy, unsafe accommodations and lack of respect for people’s dignity and right to decent housing. Now, Place de l’Acadie is a victory of solidarity and mobilization,” said the Mayor of Montréal.

“The redevelopment of Place de l’Acadie arose from an initiative undertaken by several key players in Bordeaux – Cartierville, including police officers, municipal inspectors, firefighters, CLSC workers, community organizations and local politicians. It is thanks to them that more than 200 families will soon be housed in adequate dwellings and, above all, regain the dignity and pride of living in an interesting environment,” recalled Pierre Gagnier, Mayor of the borough of Ahuntsic – Cartierville.

Among the tenants of the two housing projects, 112 households will be able to benefit from the Rent Supplement program, which provides financial assistance to low-income individuals who would otherwise have to spend more than 25 per cent of their income on housing. In addition, the rent supplements provided will represent, over a five-year period, more than $1.7 million in financial assistance, including $1.5 million from the SHQ and over $170,000 from the City of Montréal.

Since 2003, 11,300 community housing units have been, or are being, developed on the Island of Montréal, including 396 in the riding of Acadie, representing total investments of nearly $1.4 billion.

Thanks to the additional $210 million in funding announced in the Budget Speech delivered on March 30, 2010, the Government of Quebec has increased its target for the development of affordable rental community and private housing from 27,000 to 30,000 units. To date, more than 25,000 of these units have been delivered or are under development.

In 2008, the Government of Canada committed more than $1.9 billion over five years for housing and homelessness programs. This investment extended the Affordable Housing Initiative and the renovation programs for low-income households for two more years. Canada’s Economic Action Plan also provides for an investment of more than $2 billion in new and existing social housing. For Quebec, these combined contributions mean a joint investment of more than $820 million under the Agreement concerning certain residential renovation and adaptation programs, as well as the Affordable Housing Initiative Program Extension Agreement, which includes $538 million for Canada’s Economic Action Plan.