USJE visits CII recipient, United Way Oxford’s transitional housing project

In the Spring of 2026, the Union of Safety and Justice Employees (USJE) was invited to visit one of USJE’s Community Investment Initiative (CII) funding recipients; the United Way Oxford.

In 2025, USJE approved funding of $20,000 in renovations and furnishings for the United Way’s Tillsonburg and Ingersoll Transitional Houses, commonly known as their “Light Houses”.

Most of the funding went towards establishing the newer Ingersoll residence and the costs associated with furnishing and supplying the house to meet the needs of residents, most of whom arrive with little more than a few basic belongings.

“More people in our neighbourhoods are struggling to find stable housing than ever before,” said Kelly Gilson, Executive Director at United Way Oxford. “We need community partnerships and contributions from organizations like USJE to help us meet that need. We know that supported transitional housing programs successfully change lives, but United Way can’t do it alone.”

For the Tillsonburg Light House, which opened in May 2023, a sliding door was replaced, and some appliances were either purchased or repaired.

For the newer Ingersoll Light House, USJE funding was used to furnish six bedrooms (beds, bedding, desks and chairs, lounge chair and mini-fridge); purchase kitchen appliances; install a privacy fence; and, set up a security system for the residence.

“Projects like this one impact safety in our communities at the front-end of the continuum of care,” said JP Surette, USJE Regional Vice-President (RVP).  “The people who are brought into the transitional housing system are putting the pieces of their lives back together. It’s part of the social safety net we want in Canada, so that people don’t end up in the criminal justice system.”

The Ingersoll Light House opened in April 2025. By May, all six bedrooms were filled with residents, and by July some had already been able to secure permanent, affordable independent housing.

Special thanks goes to Bella Skalin, USJE Regional Vice-President (RVP), and to Jan Hauck,USJE Honourary Member and past USJE RVP, for proposing this project for consideration.

The strength of unions has always had its roots in the communities where we live. USJE’s Community Investment Initiative is dedicated to improving public safety in our neighbourhoods and forging strong partnerships with local organizations who share our vision of building safer and stronger communities across Canada. This Initiative was created in 2020.