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The organization provides services to people who are experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless.

Berenyi said the organization is currently working out of a temporary location after a lack of funding put renovations of their new building at a stand still. In February, Carmichael announced fundraising wasn’t going as well as hoped, but she says things are picking up now.

Approximately $150,000 has been raised. She said somewhere between $410,000 and $450,000 is needed to make the new building functional enough to move in. The organization is working on connecting with bigger donors and hope to move into the new space by the end of December.

“We’re really focusing on building those relationships and finding partners whose values we believe align with ours,” she said.

Those values are what gives those who utilize the organization’s services the comfort they need during tough times.

“It’s just made me feel like I’m not the only one,” said Joanne. “There are others that are in the same problems that we have.”

Now that they have their own home and a little bit to spare, she said they often donate food to Carmichael Outreach and they still go for coffee at least once a week.

“I liked going there to meet people,” said Gordon. “They’re so friendly.”

While Gordon remembers his visits to Carmichael Outreach fondly, he hasn’t forgotten how difficult it was to try and survive on so little.

“It was hard,” he said. “In case somebody tapes us on the news or something like that, I didn’t want my sister to see me begging for money.”

Now that he and his wife are back on their feet, he says he feels sorry for the people who are hurting and hopes people will donate to the cause. They hope to raise at least $2,000.

The Stromgrens start their day at 8 a.m. on Monday at the 7-11 at Broad Street and 14th Avenue and will visit places like Costco, Walmart and other businesses around the city.

jackerman@postmedia.com