What’s Cooking? A Renovated Kitchen and Donated Appliances

The smell wafting from the kitchen at Youth Haven in Barrie is the sweet smell of success.

kitchen 1
Ed Sutphin, Marcia Budd, & Dean Smith

Four volunteers (Ed Suptin, Dean Smith, Colin Campbell, Tony Everson) donated their skills and labour of love this summer to renovate the kitchen at Youth Haven, Simcoe County’s only emergency shelter for youth ages 16-24 who are experiencing homelessness.

The kitchen has new flooring, new cupboards, new lighting, a new granite countertop, a new pantry and a fresh coat of paint.

“The kitchen is night and day from what we started with.  Most of the cupboards were missing, the floor was uneven, the lighting was dim, even on the brightest day.” said Dean Smith.

kitchen compare

The renovations were complimented with a donated stove from R & M Plastic Products of Barrie, as well as a donated fridge from Marcia and Ian Budd.

Marcia is President of Muskoka Chefs and has been a volunteer at Youth Haven for about seven months, helping the youth prepare meals and teaching them cooking skills.

“A kitchen should always be a warm and welcoming environment.  This is what we have now.” – Chef Marcia

Supplies for the renovation were offered at a reduced rate by Discount Granite Plus, Lowe’s and Home Depot in Barrie.

“Without the work of our volunteers, the donated appliances and the reduced rate from these wonderful companies, the cost to do this project would have topped $14,000.  We could not afford that.” – Lucy Gowers, Youth Haven Executive Director.

“We are so grateful.  The kitchen is where our youth gather, not only for meals, but to socialize, to complete homework, to unwind, and gather for counselling sessions with our social workers.”

For more information about how you can help Yout Haven, please contact our Executive Director,  Lucy Gowers, at 705-795-7423.

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