A $100,000 donation from the Wise Guys Charity Fund will help Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Red Roof Retreat with major expansion plans.
On Friday, Red Roof launched its “All You Need is Love” campaign to engage the community and secure funding for a new, fully accessible two-storey building. This expansion aims to meet the growing demand for quality care and family support through programs and activities for individuals with special needs.
According to executive director Steffanie Bjorgan, Wise Guys Charity Fund has supported Red Roof in the past, assisting with purchases for a van and playground. The community-funded charity surprised Bjorgan with the amount of initial support they delivered.
“We did not expect that amount of money, that was fantastic. What a great way to kick off the campaign.”
Since then, Red Roof has raised nearly half of the total budget needed to fund the expansion including a $6,800 donation from Jody Finn-Vermelon, whose family has long supported the retreat through initiatives like her annual sale of over 4,500 heart-shaped cookies.
“It’s very important to us as a family,” Finn-Vermelon said. “This is just a way for us to give back.”
Red Roof Retreat, which has served more than 300 families in the region, currently operates out of a modest 1,100-square-foot facility.
The plan is to replace Red Roof’s existing bungalow property on Concession 6 with a state-of-the-art, 5,700-square-foot accessible two-story building spanning 5,700 square feet.
“We’ve had wait lists since the day we opened. The house has served its purpose, but we’ve really outgrown it,” said Bjorgan.
In addition to the new building, the historic red barn — which gave the charity its name — will be preserved and enhanced with new cladding and upgraded interior space.
A year-round covered pavilion is also in the works, designed to extend outdoor programming options, especially during the region’s increasingly hot summers and unpredictable weather.
“The world has changed, summers are hotter, and we can’t really build capacity if we don’t have more space to go to, especially when it’s inclement weather,” Bjorgan said.
Construction is slated to begin this fall, with a target opening in 2026. Red Roof services will continue uninterrupted throughout the building process.
Alternative locations, including Kevan’s House on Concession 2 and a facility at Cornerstone Church on Hunter Road, will temporarily accommodate programs, ensuring current clients experience no disruption.
Over the coming months, the “All You Need is Love” campaign will roll out a series of social media features spotlighting the individuals and families behind the retreat.
“Every Wednesday is going to be a kind of who’s who of Red Roof Retreat,” Bjorgan explained. “We’re reintroducing what we do, how we do it and where we’re headed.”
The charity will unveil detailed physical drawings during a free public skate event on February 25 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Meridian Credit Union Arena in Virgil.
andrew@niagaranow.com
