The Murray McKinnon Foundation will honour 50 years of working with and trying to uplift young offenders with an anniversary gala October 26 at Milestone Church in Ajax.
The Foundation began in 1972 with the opening of Harold McNeill House in Oshawa, a “detention-observation home” for juveniles. The facility got the green light to open from McNeil himself, a Provincial Judge in the Family division.
The opening of the Murray McKinnon House in Oshawa followed in 1986.
The foundation was created to provide a caring and supportive environment to young men and women who are in conflict with the law. Their goal is to empower today’s youth to reach their full potential and to enable them to successfully reintegrate and become productive members of society.
Services and facilities include the Ajax Learning Centre for Ajax-Pickering youth 12-17, the Attendance Centre, the McKinnon House, a Reintegration Support Outreach Program, the Supportive Reintegration Residence (McNeill House), an Anti-Human Trafficking Youth in Transition worker and the Lavender Hill Healing House for women, children and youth who have been sex trafficked.
The gala will reflect on the Foundation’s past during the days of the Juvenile Delinquents Act, its present and what’s in store in the future. The evening will include a silent auction, pre-event social with an opportunity to meet CEO Suzette Lewis, and dinner service with live entertainment and friends.
