A new home turned tragic for a downtown Toronto charity when flooding caused roughly $150,000 in damage to their equipment and supplies.
New Beginnings, which provides support to women in an effort to help them break out of poverty, was damaged in an August flood at their new location at 120 Carlton St.The flooding caused immense damage to their records, supplies and donated goods from various donors, including some 170 wedding gowns that were to be auctioned off at a March fundraiser for the organization.Silent auction prizes for a November fundraiser were also damaged by the flooding.New Beginnings had just moved into the site - they had not even finished unpacking most of their boxes - when the flooding happened. Making matters worse, staff at New Beginnings were told the water was contaminated, meaning they would have to evacuate and little or none of their damaged goods could be salvaged.Denise Whitter, director of New Beginnings, said staff was told the water came from a burst pipe in an aquarium at the Humane Society of Canada offices, also located at 120 Carlton."We were told, 'You guys have to get your stuff out,'" Whitter said. "It smelt so dreadful. Everything we had here is ruined from clothes for women who need support to toys for their kids to hygiene products from Dove."Officials from the Humane Society could not be reached for comment as to the cause of flood as of press time Tuesday.Regardless of the flood's cause, it created huge problems for New Beginnings. The charity, which has provided immigration, legal services, food vouchers, rent subsidies and other benefits to Toronto women in need for more than six years, may not have a future without a great deal of help.With no vacant spaces in the building at 120 Carlton, New Beginnings is looking for other office space in the area. Because of the damages the agency sustained, however, Whitter said they do not have money to spend on that, or on goods to replace those damaged in the flooding.Even though some donors have already offered to donate new clothing, makeup and other goods to replace some of those lost in the flooding, such generous gestures may be for naught."We'd be grateful for anything people can give us, from clothing for women to knapsacks for kids, toys for kids from newborn to eight years old," Whitter said. "If anyone had any great office furniture or any kind of office supplies they can think of, we can use it all. The problem right now is we have nowhere to put it."The charitable organization is also seeking cash donations to help defray some of the damages and provide services to women looking to transition out of poverty.Anyone willing and able to help is asked to call 416-260-8465.