The story of the commencement and development of Emmaus Place Society is not about the development of projects and programs that will meet the needs of a designated group of people of our community … it was and is about the initiation and development of faith in God in the lives of many people!
The story of Emmaus House located at 6373 Hillcrest Place in the city of Prince George is not about a building and its development, or the beautification of the land surrounding the residence for the housing of senior citizens of our community … it was and is about the initiation and development of faith in God in the lives of many people!
The “many people” in whom God wishes to initiate and develop faith includes you and me! The “many people” includes all who have ever served on the Board of Directors of Emmaus Place Society, it includes the donors of financial contributions toward this non-profit society, it includes the clients who have been, or are residents in Emmaus House, it includes those who have been or are employed at Emmaus House, and it includes those who will read, or come to know about the unfolding story that you are reading right now.
This unfolding story that is being written, started in the early 1990’s in the heart and mind of Arlo A. Johnson, pastor of Westside Family Fellowship. It started as a desire to create a non-profit society in the community of Prince George that would meet some very specific social needs of individuals whether they were churched, or non-churched. As a result of this growing vision, nine individuals responded to a need by giving upwards to $4,000. each, as a sinking fund for the establishment of Emmaus Place Society. Their response resulted in the collecting of approximately $35,000. Emmaus Place was registered as a non-profit society with the ability to issue charitable receipts.
Initially, we purchased 160 acres of land at the end of Haldi Road in Prince George. The asking price for the property was $120,000. With our limited funds we approached the local business man and owner of this property. As a result of our negotiations with him, we entered into an agreement, and that property was purchased for a cash payment of $50,000. plus, the issuance of a charitable receipt for $70,000. We made attempts to establish a portable sawmill on the property as a means of training young people from single parent families. But when we made our presentation to the Municipal Council for a permit to operate the mill on the property, we were denied a permit.
Now what were we to do? We waited for further direction! It was decided that we would not actively seek to sell the property. However, in the course of time, a would-be purchaser made an offer that we could not refuse. The sale resulted in a 290% increase of our capital funds. We purchased another 80 acres of land for approximately $40,000. and invested the balance of the funds. While we continued to wait, various plans were considered for the development of the newly purchased land, all to no avail.
It was in 2001 when Patricia Bowler approached Emmaus Place Society with a proposal that we lease her residential property and establish a senior supportive housing unit. Through our negotiations with Patricia Bowler and her family members, we came to a mutual agreement concerning a lease and an agreement of the future purchase of the property. The Senior Supportive Housing Unit was opened February 1, 2002 and named Emmaus House. Noella Miller was hired as the manager of Emmaus House. The next two and one-half years provided us with the challenges of a very steep learning curve, but we did survive those challenges. As we overcame such challenges, we entered into a final agreement with the Bowler Family on a purchase price of the property.
In the process of final negotiations we realized that we were faced with a dilemma. We had sufficient funds for a down payment, and a mortgage was available to us, however we didn’t have enough funds for the continued upgrading of the property. One day it was necessary for me to confirm with the BC Housing Safer Program that a certain senior had taken up residence at Emmaus House. After making phone connections, I listened as an operator went through the usual, “push 1 .. 2 .. 3 .. 4. As I waited for the appropriate number to be identified, I heard the words, “push 2 if you wish to partner with BC Housing etc.” After I completed the purpose of my call, I redialed the BC Housing number, and pushed the appropriate number that resulted in an initial conversation that eventually resulted in a BC Housing Grant of $35,000. Now we were in a position to purchase the property from the Bowler Family, and still have funds to do the desired improvements. On December 1, 2004 the property was purchased and from that time major renovations have been, and continue to be made on 6373 Hillcrest Place.
However, if we were to complete the renovations of the exterior of the house, as well as the re-shaping of the land contours of the lot, we would need to acquire further funds by the sale of the 80 acres of land that the society owned on Family Place Road, fifteen miles west of Prince George. Efforts had been made to sell the property, all to no avail. Then in mid-2006, a new neighbor who had just purchased a residential property on Family Place Road, inquired about the possibility of purchasing our 80 acres at the end of Family Place Road. On November 1, 2006, Ben Spyker Senior, a member of our Board negotiated a very satisfactory sale price for the property that would net us, $56,000.
In view of the forthcoming sale, we proceeded to let out a contract to Sunnyside Enterprises for the application of Hardie Board to the exterior of the entire house.
Hardie board is a high quality product with a 50 year warranty. In addition to the supply and application of the hardie board, there was other exterior work included in the contract for an agreed price, not exceeding $25-27,000. However, Kenton Friesen of Sunnyside Enterprises said that if he could do it for less, we would receive the benefit of the lower price. His final invoice was $23,085. less a charitable donation of $1,000.
With the balance of the funds from the sale of the land we re-shaped the land surrounding the residence, and build a network of Allan block walls that greatly beautify the property. When contact was made with Home Depot for the purchase of approximately $10,000 worth of Allan blocks, Bob Alspaugh (member of our board) asked if we might receive a special purchase price in view of the size of the purchase. In the conversation it was mentioned that we were a non-profit society, and as a result of that information a charitable grant was given that reduced the purchase price to about $6,500.
During this time we applied to the Prince George Community Foundation for a grant to construct a Gazebo, and received a grant of $2,500. A very beautiful Gazebo was also constructed, and located in the backyard of the property with a great view.
By very careful spending, we were able to plan the complete renovation of the common area of the main floor of Emmaus House which included a new set of kitchen cupboards, removal of all the old flooring, replacing the living room with laminate flooring, and dining room, kitchen and hall with vinyl floor covering.
The paving of the drive and parking lot was one other major outdoor improvement needed to be made, but this project would be very costly, and we only had $10,000. left in our Development Fund. The first paving quote came in at about $30,000. We negotiated with the company, and they reduced the price $5,000., but it was still too much for us. Then we reduced the amount of paving required by planning grass and shrubbery areas at the front of the house. This reduced the price to $22,000. Westside Family Fellowship offered to give Emmaus House an interest free loan of $12,000. to be paid back on a monthly basis from our Operational Funds. It was a deal, we proceeded with paving.
The Board of Directors for Emmaus Place Society are Bernie Legault, Randy Chance, Bob Alspaugh, Tony Vigar, Jim Alexander and Arlo Johnson.
Emmaus House has nine permanent residents, and one Respite room presently available for a temporary resident. Noella Miller is the House Manager; Debbie Gurski is the night person at Emmaus House in case of night emergencies. Several individuals work on a part time basis. There are several individuals who volunteer from time to time to assist with various needs in the operation of Emmaus House.
You can visit our Website at www.emmaushouse.ca
No comments:
Post a Comment