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12 lockers available for storage, mail delivery and phone charging

Today, Mayor Collier, members of Ajax Council, the Ajax Mayor’s Gala Committee, and The Salvation Army Hope Ajax/Pickering/Uxbridge announced via social media a special community locker partnership aimed at supporting the Town’s most vulnerable residents.

After receiving a recommendation from the Ajax Homelessness Task Force, the Ajax Mayor’s Gala Committee held a locker auction as part of the inaugural Ajax Mayor’s Gala, held June 15, 2019. The auction raised $15,000 for this project from generous sponsors – including local and regional businesses, and all members of Ajax Council.

Located on the south side of the Ajax Town Hall property on King’s Cres. at Exeter Rd. (facing what will be the new home of The Salvation Army Hope Ajax/Pickering/Uxbridge), they will be administered by The Salvation Army Hope Ajax/Pickering/Uxbridge, with the support of a $10,000 first-year operating boost from the Ajax Mayor’s Gala, and maintained in partnership between the Town and The Salvation Army Hope Ajax/Pickering/Uxbridge. The Ajax Public Library will also play an important role, providing referral and other support to locker renters.

Modeled on the successful Keeper’s Project lockers in Oshawa (a partnership between Spirit Alive and the Back Door Mission), the new lockers will make it possible for those who find themselves in precarious housing situations or without shelter to store key items, receive mail (supporting job applications, and cheque delivery), and charge their cell phones thanks to individual USB ports in each unit powered by solar electricity.

Quotes

“The problem of homelessness and precarious housing is becoming more evident across the Durham Region, and Ajax is no exception. That’s why I wanted the charitable focus of the inaugural Mayor’s Gala to be tangible ways we can support those without secure shelter in our community. In addition to funding initiatives by The Salvation Army Hope Ajax/Pickering/Uxbridge and Joanne’s House directly, we sought advice from the Ajax Homelessness Task Force who sparked the idea for these lockers. Together with our generous sponsors, today, we take the next step to making Ajax truly inclusive for all. I want to thank Ajax Council, CAO Shane Baker and the TOA Operations team for their ongoing support of this project, making this vision a reality.”

– Mayor Shaun Collier, Town of Ajax

“The Ajax Mayor’s Gala Committee is dedicated to raising funds that can be put to work to directly support our Ajax community - our vision is to make a real and lasting difference. Our committee is proud to be a part of today’s announcement, making sure that our neighbours have access to the help they need when they need it. We have our generous sponsors to thank for making this possible. To each individual and business that has partnered with us since 2019 we want to say: we appreciate all that you do to build up our community, and look forward to continuing this work with you for years to come.”

– Rose Collier and Sian Gibson, Co-Chairs, Ajax Mayor’s Gala Committee

“TOA is proud to donate our space and manpower to this worthwhile cause, supporting inclusion in a way that’s reflective of our community values. I want to thank our partners at The Salvation Army Hope Ajax/Pickering/Uxbridge for everything they do to support our community, including the administration of this locker initiative.”

– Shane Baker, CAO, Town of Ajax

“Since 1955 The Salvation Army has been serving and helping vulnerable populations in Ajax and Pickering through various struggles and concerns. With this new initiative and partnership with TOA, The Salvation Army will be better equipped to continue serving and helping people who find themselves without secure housing. The Salvation Army is truly thankful for the opportunity to partner with TOA in helping those who are in the most vulnerable positions have a chance to regain some measure of control in their lives.”

- Captain Jason Sabourin, The Salvation Army Hope Ajax/Pickering/Uxbridge

Quick Facts

This initiative was brought to the attention of the Ajax Mayor’s Gala by the Ajax Homelessness Task Force. The Task Force is made up of community and faith groups that serve residents in the Town of Ajax, and includes Council representatives. The groups involved have their finger on the pulse of social issues impacting their clients, which in many cases include those suffering housing insecurity

  • The community locker initiative is the result of a collaborative effort between the Ajax Mayor’s Gala, Ajax Council, The Salvation Army Hope Ajax/Pickering/Uxbridge and Town of Ajax to support our most vulnerable
  • Safety of renters and the public has been thoroughly considered, and lockers are strategically placed to ensure adequate lighting, surveillance while maintaining privacy
  • The locker infrastructure was made possible through funding by the Ajax Mayor’s Gala sponsors, in partnership with the Town of Ajax
  • Locker programming will be administered by The Salvation Army Hope Ajax/Pickering/Uxbridge

Learn More

  • To access a locker, please call The Salvation Army Hope Ajax/Pickering/Uxbridge at 905-427-7123