More than a roof

BURNABY, B.C.

There was a feeling of excitement in the air as dignitaries, residents, and guests gathered Oct. 26 to celebrate the opening of Cumberland Place, the new family housing project built by Social Housing Society MCC (B.C.). The project is now completed, and the houses, constructed in a park-like setting, are filled with grateful residents.

The project began in spring, 1993, when Social Housing Society (SHS) first heard of a call by the City of Burnaby, B.C. for an affordable family housing project. Burnaby resident Helmut Lemke was instrumental in pursuing the concept of SHS doing a project in Burnaby and convincing SHS board members that this would be a good idea. A proposal was assembled, and soon after SHS was informed that it had been selected to sponsor, build and manage 8580 Cumberland Place.

In a country where more than half of the single mothers, one in five children and half of the elderly without spouses are poor, the completion of Cumberland Place is good news. "You don't know how grateful I am," said one resident. The tears in her eyes said it all. To her, Cumberland Place is really more than a roof.

Angelika Dawson, Communications/Education Department, Mennonite Central Committee B.C.

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