Build

Building a Permanent Intergenerational Campus for Belonging

Welcome Friend Association is creating a year-round, affirming home where 2SLGBTQ+ youth build confidence and leadership, 2SLGBTQ+ elders find connection and legacy, and both generations come together through intentional shared spaces that reduce isolation and strengthen community.

Pillar 1

Youth Belonging & Leadership

Ages 13–29 • prevention • confidence • community

Bridge

Shared Commons

Story circles • mentorship • shared meals • belonging

Pillar 2

Elder Connection & Legacy

Ages 55+ • reduced isolation • dignity • purpose

Designed for flexible use. Youth and elder pathways can run independently, and come together when it is purposeful, supported, and safe.

This is more than a camp site. It is belonging infrastructure built for prevention, resilience, and intergenerational care.

Funding Status
Raised/Committed: $___  •  Remaining: $___  •  Goal: $___

The Build rolls out in phases. Each phase moves forward as funding is secured. Partners can support a phase, a specific facility, or in-kind contributions.

Location
Northern Ontario (site in due diligence)
Permanent, year-round access
Who It Serves
Youth (13–29) + Elders (55+) + Allies
Two pillars, one shared campus
What Changes
Seasonal → Year-round
More access, stability, and connection
Model
Two pillars + bridge
Youth • Commons • Elders
Timeline
Phase 1–3 plan
Use ranges (e.g., 2026–2029)
Partner Fit
Capital + belonging + wellbeing
CSR, foundations, major gifts, in-kind

Illustrative Site Context

The image below represents one of several rural properties currently under assessment. Final site selection will be confirmed through due diligence (access, environmental review, servicing, and community fit).

We’re sharing this as a visual reference for the type of land we are evaluating to support year-round, accessible, affirming programming.

Illustrative rural forest site under consideration for the Build Project
Example of rural, accessible land under consideration (illustrative; not a final site).

The Need: Two Pillars, One Shared Challenge

Across Canada, 2SLGBTQ+ people can face isolation at both ends of the lifespan. Geography, stigma, and limited access to affirming spaces can make it worse. The Build Project responds with a permanent campus designed around two equal pillars and one intentional bridge.

  • Youth (13–29): higher risk of anxiety, depression, and suicide when safe, affirming community is unavailable, especially in rural and northern regions where acceptance and services can be limited.
  • Elders (55+): increased isolation, loss of chosen family, and fear of having to re-closet in traditional aging or care settings.
  • The bridge: with care and facilitation, youth gain hope and role models, and elders regain purpose, voice, and belonging.

A permanent home makes belonging something people can count on, across the lifespan.

Evidence: The Need for Belonging is Year-Round

In 2021, Welcome Friend Association undertook a focused community study on 2SLGBTQ+ seniors to understand barriers, risks, and what would make connection possible, especially in Northern Ontario.

What seniors told us
Survey + interviews (2021)
53%
Isolation

of 2SLGBTQ+ seniors report feeling socially isolated.

59%
Programs

are interested in participating in 2SLGBTQ+ senior programs, clubs, or activities.

78%
Inclusive housing

want to learn more about inclusive retirement community options and supports.

This is why the Build is designed for year-round use. It supports youth programming, elder connection, and shared commons that reduce isolation in every season. Source: Welcome Friend Association — Senior Program Plan (2021 community study: 45 survey responses + stakeholder interviews).

A permanent home turns “one good week” into ongoing connection for youth, elders, and the community that supports them.

Why Intergenerational Connection Works

The Build supports two parallel pathways: youth belonging and elder connection. It also includes shared commons that create meaningful intergenerational exchange when appropriate and supported.

  • Youth gain: role models, confidence, leadership, and a credible sense of “I can have a future.”
  • Elders gain: community, purpose, and spaces where their stories and identities are honoured.
  • Both gain: reduced isolation, increased resilience, and a stronger network of care.

This is reciprocal care. Everyone belongs, everyone contributes, and everyone grows.

Phasing Plan and Budget Snapshot

1

Phase 1: Land + Essential Site Work

  • Land acquisition
  • Site servicing and road upgrades (enabling works)
Estimated: $2,500,000
2

Phase 2: Shared Commons + Washrooms/Septic

  • Dining hall / program hall (shared commons)
  • Washroom & shower building + septic system
Estimated: $2,000,000
3

Phase 3: Cabins + Wellness + Green Infrastructure

  • Phase 2 cabins + wellness centre
  • Solar / green infrastructure
Estimated: $2,000,000

Investment Snapshot (Capital Build Plan)

Land Acquisition
Permanent site purchase
$1,500,000
Dining Hall Construction
Shared commons: meals + programming + gatherings
$1,200,000
Washroom/Shower + Septic System
Accessible washrooms + showers + septic
$800,000
Site Servicing + Road Upgrades
Access, utilities, and enabling site work
$1,000,000
Phase 2 Cabins + Wellness Centre
Overnight capacity + wellbeing supports
$1,500,000
Solar / Green Infrastructure
Climate-responsible, future-proof operations
$500,000
Total Capital Build Budget (Baseline)
$6,500,000
Capacity to Deliver (WFA Administration)
Baseline: 12% of capital plan = $780,000

We have a contractor prepared to lead the build. To deliver the project responsibly, Welcome Friend Association must also fund owner-side administration, compliance, and partner stewardship. This keeps governance strong, reporting clear, and coordination steady.

Project Coordination + Stakeholder Management (35%)
Scheduling, partner coordination, internal oversight
$273,000
Finance/Admin + Grant Compliance + Audit Readiness (25%)
Financial controls, reporting, compliance, documentation
$195,000
Fundraising Operations + Donor Stewardship + Reporting (25%)
Partner updates, reporting timelines, relationship management
$195,000
Communications + Community Engagement (15%)
Public updates, community communications, impact sharing
$117,000
This is a planning baseline used until detailed staffing and delivery budgets are finalized.
How this number is used
This snapshot is a planning baseline. As funding is confirmed, we assign commitments to phases and facilities. Detailed budgets are refined through due diligence, design, accessibility requirements, and competitive bids.
  • Site enabling work (access, servicing, and safety requirements)
  • Code-compliant washrooms/showers and septic infrastructure
  • Shared commons (dining/program hall) that supports intergenerational connection
  • Cabins + wellness capacity expansion for year-round use
  • Green infrastructure to reduce long-term operating costs

Partnership Options

We’ll match your investment to a phase, a milestone, and a clear story of impact focused on youth belonging, elder connection, and shared intergenerational commons.

Anchor Partner

Lead a phase or a core facility such as the shared commons, program hall, or accessible cabins. This kind of support also helps unlock matching funds.

Lead giftNamingMajor recognition

Major Gifts

Fund a tangible build element with lasting impact for youth and/or elders.

CabinGathering HallAccessibility

Multi-Year Corporate

Align CSR and DEI goals with rural access, belonging, and wellbeing across generations.

2–3 yearsEmployee givingReporting

In-Kind + Pro Bono

Materials, trades, engineering, design, and project expertise that can accelerate the build timeline.

TradesMaterialsServices

Help Build a Place Where Generations Belong

Your support creates a future where queer youth are affirmed, elders are honoured, and connection is permanent. If you are ready to fund a phase, a facility, or an in-kind contribution, we will align it with a clear and measurable outcome.

Together, we can build a home for belonging that lasts.

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