What role does surplus corporate furniture have in alleviating the housing crisis? Borden Place, a place for sustainable transformation in downtown Toronto, shows how donations facilitated by Green Standards can be put to direct use supporting the unhoused and underhoused population in a major metropolis.
After providing in-kind donations on several occasions from different clients in Canada’s largest city, we caught up with the organization’s founder and executive director, Alana Jones, to hear how these furniture donations are being used at the community organization.
1. What inspired you to work in the non-profit sector?
I cannot say the defining moment that drew me to non profits. But I do know a series of life experiences brought me to this work.
My brother contracted HIV at 18 and this propelled me into working and supporting those impacted and infected with HIV/aids. As time went by the emotional toll of friends and co-workers passing became too much and I shifted to housing.
No one told me that even in the housing and homelessness sector people were dying at the same alarming rate.
2. Can you share a success story or a memorable moment that resulted from this partnership?
The donated cabinets have been used to store our food donations and we received what would seem like a year’s supply of stationery. This was helpful as we started without funds to run our organization.
Secondly, we recently secured a second location to operate a new rooming house. Without funding to furnish the location we were left wondering how we could make this housing a reality. With limited funds to get the items we needed, we coordinated with some suppliers we had worked with in the past.
While budgeting on how to make this housing a reality, I received notice of new items from Green Standards.
I saw the list of items pop up and as blessing would have it, all the items we needed were available for donation. We carefully selected tables, chairs, cabinets and nightstand drawers for the 15 rooms. I contacted our original suppliers and cancelled our order as we no longer needed to purchase these items.
Days before our opening we received the shipment and then we purchased our beds. We are delighted that everything came together. Without being well-funded it’s important to have partnerships like these to address the many gaps.
3. What donated furniture items do you typically look for at Green Standards?
We are looking for chairs, storage for residents and patio furniture now that the summer is upon us. We would love to start a computer access program. Many of our residents are pursuing higher education or seeking employment opportunities. Laptops and desktops would be great.
4. How do in-kind donations benefit your organization?
It allows us to close the gap that would otherwise remain due to not enough funding. Our transformation would not be as impactful without the support of Green Standards and its clients.
5. Is there anything else you’d like to share with potential donors?
The quality of donations you have provided to Borden Place Inc have been amazing and we are always so grateful for the support we receive. Our programs would not have flourished without it.
We would like donors to come see the transformation that we have done as a result of their donations. We would also welcome any sponsorships or ongoing partnerships.
“We are so grateful for the wonderful donations from Green Standards and how much it’s helped bring our organization to life!”
Kayla Ritchie
Advocacy & Grants Manager
Borden Place Inc.
About
About Borden Place Inc
Est. in May 2023 Borden Place Inc. is a registered non-profit charitable organization formed out of community advocacy and necessity. Their vision is a simple one; to ensure that 60 Borden Street would be a place of tangible yet sustainable transformation to combat an increasingly broken social service sector.
At the start of its operation, under BPI, 60 Borden Street established several foundational pillars that would govern the operational framework of this rooming house; Affordability, Access, Support, Family & Community. Standing on these principals we provide in house medical support, reconnection with self, family and community as well as access to healthy meals and an overall elevated standard of living.
In partnership with government, community-based and health care & addiction service agencies alike, Borden Place Inc. strives to continue to create an environment where residents receive personalized care, helping them to eliminate their cycle of homelessness and instability.
About Green Standards
Capturing Value In Workplace Change
Green Standards has spent the last decade developing rigorous practices and global networks that deliver optimal value from workplace decommissioning. Our enterprise program measures and maximizes ESG performance while virtually eliminating landfill waste. A partner to the world’s largest organizations, Green Standards enables the efficient and ethical redistribution of furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) during times of workplace change.
Media Contact: Marc Borins, 1-855-632-8036
