THE BEES’ NEST – PROVIDING A SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY FOR OVER 2 YEARS

There is so much to celebrate since this crazy idea came into my head 3 years ago. Many men have started their lives over with a short stay at the house while they got their bearings back in society. Some of them found full time employment, some went back to school, a few reunited with their wives and children, while others found volunteer work in the community. It has not been perfect. There has been relapses and heartache along with the many successes. Some are just not ready and others never will be. For those who are willing to do whatever it takes to stay clean and sober and take baby steps back into a meaningful healthy life there is ample room for personal growth in this home of support and understanding.

BEES’ NEST CONCERNS

The Bees’ Nest has developed through the generosity of this community. It is completely furnished and equipped through the generous help from friends, co-workers, the Salvation Army, the Re-Store, the 12 step community and even strangers who believe everyone deserves a second chance.

That being said, there is always expected and unexpected expenses that come with running a low-income rooming house of newly recovering men. It is not like having a rental where your tenants are responsible for the utilities, lawn care and furnishings. Here are some of the expected and unexpected expenses that have occurred.
1. New Roof
2. Renovated the basement to accommodate a 5th tenant but the perimeter drain failed less than 60 days later and the basement flooded. All the flooring had to be thrown out and drywall was damaged. Insurance would not cover it because it was a perimeter drain issue and not failed plumbing.
3. Electrical and plumbing had to be replaced to meet code.
4. Heating was upgraded from oil to forced air electric.
5. Insurance costs 3x more for a rooming house than a regular home.
6. If tenants relapse they must move out so rent is often lost.
7. New bedding, linens, furniture must be replaced from time to time.
8. Lawnmower and lawn tools need replacement.
9. The home is 70 years old and it could use new everything. It especially could use a bathroom upgrade. So could most homes I’m sure. I fix as needed and as funds/donations turn up.
10. And on... you get the idea.
It is all do-able, it just is not always simple to find finances, donations and solutions to the situations that come up. Thank God for all the help or I would have sunk long ago.

SOLUTIONS

Ask, ask, ask. I’m always asking for help. Help is always welcome in many forms. From Clean-up crews to handymen to encouragement. The odd monetary donation always helps too of course.

I also have Candy Boxes set up at a few places that raises a bit of money. This year I have also created some Christmas cards to sell. The theme is health so I chose to take pictures of vegetables dressed up as Christmas symbols. It may sound a bit tacky but they are actually quite cute.

THANK YOU

Over the two-and-a-half years of the Bees Nest help of many kinds has also been received from (in no particular order): Pilon Tool Rental, Home Depot, ReStore, the Salvation Army, Torry & Sons, AHERO, Wachiay Friendship Centre, Alano Club, Shamrock Veterinary Clinic, Comox Valley Recovery Centre, Bob (The Builder) Dehaas, Mike Claire, Tracy Forbes, Corix Water Products, Lee Gingrich and SD 71 students, Second Chance Recovery Centre, Ronni Lister (Remax), Grasshopper Graphics, Andrew Sheret Ltd., Bartle & Gibson Co., Complete Auto Care, Highland Precast, residents of the Bees’ Nest, the Comox Valley Homelessness Commission, Rod Braun, Ian Lidster, Gary and Stan Pawlak, and numerous volunteers and anonymous donors. “The Bees’ Nest wouldn’t have continued to exist without the help of all those mentioned.