LiUNA Local 1059 helps LUSO shine

LiUNA 1059 crew working on the LUSO building for Day of Caring

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They have the skills and expertise we don’t have. We would never have been able to do any of this without this group taking on this work.”

Mikyla Pragashpathy
LUSO program co-ordinator

They laid a walkway of patio stones, hammered in new shingles, patched a hole in the wall and prepped a new door.

The hard-working crew of LiUNA Local 1059 volunteers transformed LUSO’s Community Resources Portable in much the same way LUSO is helping support its neighbourhoods in East London: with enthusiasm and commitment.

Under supervision from LiUNA instructors Luke Caranci and Kyle Hodgins, the team’s work this week was an extension of United Way’s Day of Caring in June that saw hundreds of area volunteers lend a hand at dozens of agencies in the region.

LUSO Community Services is a multicultural neighbourhood resource centre supported by United Way.

The organization’s portable, located beside Lord Elgin elementary school in London, acts as a hub where neighbours gain access to a range of services, said LUSO program co-ordinator Mikyla Pragashpathy.

It offers year-round emergency food and clothing and is a pick-up site for basic needs, through a partnership with the London Food Bank. The May Court Club, with staffing and administrative leadership from LUSO, supports a breakfast program for children and youth every day in the summer and during March Break.

Pragashpathy said 120 local families, representing as many as 600 unique individuals, receive support each month from this location.

She said the support of LiUNA Local 1059 is especially welcome. “They have the skills and expertise we don’t have. We would never have been able to do any of this without this group taking on this work,” she said.

Likewise, the volunteer work was a team effort, with pre-apprentices learning on-the-job skills and using materials donated by LiUNA members and a door gifted by Pro-Able Doors & Service.

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