Guelph and Waterloo Region mental health charities merge

Dunara Homes for Recovery of Guelph and Thresholds Homes and Supports Inc. have announced an amalgamation of the two charities effective May 1, 2020, the board of directors of both organizations announced today. The newly merged organization will operate as Thresholds Homes and Supports.

Dunara Homes for Recovery supports the Guelph-Wellington communities with residential rehabilitation programming for individuals living with significant mental health diagnoses. The organization has operated in Guelph for 35 years.

“We remain committed to serving the Guelph Community, building relationships and partnerships that will continue to enhance resources and extend our value-based programming, and working to help transform the health and security of individuals in our community by taking a comprehensive approach to mental health, addiction, and housing,” said Lisa Voll-Leggo, executive director at Thresholds Homes and Supports.

Thresholds Homes and Supports delivers a range of mental health and addictions services including Assertive Community Treatment Team (ACTT), Flexible Assertive Community Treatment Team (FACTT), supportive housing, crisis respite, case management, and more, to assist individuals in the communities of Kitchener-Waterloo, Cambridge, and Guelph. Some of these services are already being provided to Dunara Homes’ clients.

The charities have collaborated on shared services and best practices for several years and have established a strong working relationship. The decision to amalgamate follows an extensive due diligence process by both organizations over several months. The amalgamation supports long-term financial and operational stability and efficiency while giving Dunara Homes’ clients access to a wider range of programming and creating more growth opportunities for employees.

There will be no disruption or change in service for the clients of either organization, stresses Voll-Leggo. This has been a primary consideration with the amalgamation since discussions began in 2019.

“We’re taking it slowly. Our quality of care continues to be our primary focus as we move into this new chapter, and we are committed to making the experience seamless for all parties involved. Our staff teams have already come together to build a cohesive working culture. Along with the boards and leadership teams of both organizations, they will work diligently and carefully to complete the amalgamation to everyone’s comfort levels.”

The amalgamation will see very little change to the existing staff group.  The current Executive Director at Dunara Homes, Yvonne Bowes, has elected to pursue new opportunities once the transition is complete.

For Bowes, it’s a logical time to move on. “I could not be more thrilled with this opportunity for Dunara Homes to join a larger, well established, and highly reputable agency that has been serving Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph communities with expertise and compassion for more than 40 years. I am happy to leave the legacy of Dunara Homes in the hands of such good friends,” said Bowes.

The Dunara Homes residential property on Dean Avenue in Guelph will be renamed Dunara House to honour the legacy of the original charity.

Both agencies are funded provincially, complemented by rental income and community fundraising and sponsorships. Funding will continue to go towards direct service costs and “we will continue to look for efficiencies that allow us to expand our service reach and work on new programming to meet changing community needs,” says Voll-Leggo.