This weekend several singers and songwriters will share their talent at the Scott Block Theatre to raise funds for a new sustainable housing project.
Grace City Church members came together to create the ‘Strumming Home’ fundraiser to show their support for the Central Alberta Pregnancy Care Centre’s (CAPCC) new sustainable housing project. The project hopes to provide a safe housing facility for single, pregnant women where they can carry their child to term and access some support during their stay.
On July 25th at the Scott Block Theatre, artists will perform in support of this cause. Tickets are $10 at the door, with all proceeds going to the CAPCC sustainable housing project.
“The event will have four artists coming to play. Two are driving down from Edmonton and two are local singer/songwriters. One’s a duo with people and guitars and the rest are just a mic and a guitar and away they go. Each of them will play for 35 to 40 minutes and the Pregnancy Care Centre will come up in the intermissions and explain their story and what the cause is for the evening. They’ll talk a bit about sustainable housing in Red Deer as well,” said Chad Krahn, pastor of Grace City Church.
“CAPCC is building a sustainable housing project for pregnant, single women so that they can have a better chance at breaking the cycle of poverty.”
The project has been in the research stage for approximately two years, but progress is being made. A building was purchased – along with three adjoining lots – on 47th St. between 51st and 52nd Ave. Up to 11 clients (and their small child) could live in these spaces for up to two years.
Phase one of the project consists of converting a 2,000 sq. ft. primarily commercial space into a suitable residential facility. Phase two is the construction of a three-story condominium structure that will house offices as well as living suites.
A total of nearly $5 million is needed to complete the proposed projects. According to the Central Alberta Pregnancy Care web site, only about $2 million has been raised so far and the group is looking into how to raise more.
“Our church is called Grace City, so we want to show what grace looks like in our City and we wanted to help alleviate poverty in our City. It’s something that a lot of people talk about doing but either aren’t following through, or don’t know where to start or how they can help. We wanted to do something that was a good event and a fun event to raise awareness and raise some money. We want it to be a fun way that we can do some good for our City,” said Krahn.
“Sustainable housing has been identified as a serious need in Red Deer and we are hoping to be able to do something about it. Single, pregnant women are some of the most likely to be trapped in a cycle of poverty. This project aims at providing a safe and stable place for these women to grow out of that cycle of dysfunction. This benefit concert is going to be a great event in support of a worthy cause.”
kmendonsa@reddeerexpress.com
