Homelessness is a problem that many cities face around the world. Even though governments and organizations are trying to fix it, it’s still a big issue. One Canadian millionaire decided to make a difference in his own town with his money. Here’s his story.
In Fredericton, New Brunswick, Marcel LeBrun, a millionaire entrepreneur, took action to help homeless people in his community. Marcel, who made a lot of money from his successful social media monitoring company, decided to invest $4 million of his own money to build 99 tiny homes for those in need. He didn’t just stop at providing homes; he also created job opportunities with his unique approach. This project is called 12 Neighbours.
After selling his company and gaining a lot of wealth, Marcel wanted to use his money for good. Seeing the homelessness issue in Fredericton, he came up with the idea of a tiny home community to give homeless people a new start. He named his project 12 Neighbours and aimed to build a gated community with 99 homes and an enterprise center. This community offers both housing and job opportunities, giving homeless people a chance to rebuild their lives.
Homelessness is a big issue in New Brunswick, with about 1,600 people experiencing it in a single day last year. In bigger cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York in the United States, the number of homeless people is much higher. Marcel LeBrun saw a chance to make a difference and decided to help those struggling with homelessness.
Marcel’s project, 12 Neighbours, is not just about building tiny homes. He wants to create a supportive community for people. The tiny homes he’s building are more than just places to stay. They are fully-furnished with kitchens, living areas, bedrooms, and full bathrooms. They even have solar panels on the roofs. Marcel sees himself as a community builder, aiming to provide a better life for those in need.
To make his vision a reality, Marcel LeBrun set up a factory where skilled volunteers help build the tiny homes. Using modern techniques, the factory can produce one tiny home every four business days. Once a home is built, it is carefully placed on concrete blocks to form the foundation of the community.
Marcel believes that owning a home is important because it gives people a sense of responsibility and stability. By allowing people who have experienced homelessness to own their own homes, the 12 Neighbours project aims to empower them and create a supportive community.
Besides providing homes, Marcel LeBrun’s project also focuses on creating job opportunities for the residents. The 12 Neighbours community includes an enterprise center with a coffee bar and a silk printing business, both run by the residents. This helps generate income and encourages residents to interact with the wider community.
Like any big project, 12 Neighbours has faced criticism. Some people think it’s better to reintegrate homeless individuals directly into society rather than keeping them together in one place. However, Marcel understands these concerns and has taken steps to ensure the community is safe and supportive.
Marcel explained, “Building a few homes is just as complicated as building many, and we wanted to make a real impact on homelessness in Fredericton. If we want to make a meaningful difference, we need to build houses. If I take someone who’s been living outside and put them in a luxury apartment, they might not succeed because it’s not their community or environment.”
Marcel LeBrun knows how important safety is, so he has included top security features in the 12 Neighbours community. There are gated entrances and advanced surveillance systems to ensure residents feel safe and protected.
LeBrun mentioned that some residents face challenges when they first move in. He explained, “When someone moves into a house, they might have others trying to take advantage of them. They need to learn what it means to manage their own space and decide who they let in and out.”
One of the main goals of 12 Neighbours is to build a strong sense of community both inside and outside its gates. LeBrun wants to create a place where residents and the people of Fredericton can come together. The community has a coffee bar and a personalized printing business to encourage interaction and understanding.
LeBrun told CBC, “I see myself as a community builder. We’re not just building a small community; we’re helping to make our city better.”
Marcel LeBrun’s project to build 99 tiny homes in Fredericton, New Brunswick, is a great example of using personal success to help others. Through 12 Neighbours, he has not only provided homes for those in need but also created job opportunities and a supportive community. His efforts have given hope to many and inspired others to make a difference.
Parents’ Love Drives Them to Remove Daughter’s Birthmark
Parents go above and above for their kids in order to assist and safeguard them. Celine Casey, a British woman, took an exceptional step for her daughter Vienna Brookshaw. Vienna, who was born in April 2021, had a birthmark between her eyebrows on her forehead.
Congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN), the birthmark, didn’t present any health issues, but Casey was concerned about the emotional effects it would have on Vienna as she got older.
An Uncommon Illness
A rare disorder known as congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN) occurs when a baby is born with a harmless cluster of pigment cells. These cells have the capacity to proliferate along with the child. Fearing that Vienna would grow to hate her parents, Casey went straight to the physicians to discuss her choices for having the birthmark removed, worried about the difficulties her daughter might encounter later on.
“We cherish every moment of Vienna’s journey and eagerly await the day she can express her own thoughts,” said Vienna’s mother, Casey, who is immensely compassionate. We would always and forever love her, birthmark or not.
The Need to Be Accepted
Casey was inspired to have Vienna’s birthmark removed because her infant seemed uncomfortable with people staring at her. Vienna was handled differently than other babies, which made her even more determined to pursue the removal.
Overcoming Difficulties
When Casey first requested the operation, the National Health Service (NHS) turned him down because they said it was more cosmetic than necessary for his medical well-being. Unfazed, Casey launched a crowdfunding effort to secure the required sum of money from kind donors. The campaign raised an incredible $52,000 in just one day. Unfortunately, they still need an extra $27,000 for the procedure because of higher hospital expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In an attempt to raise additional funds, they went back to GoFundMe to pay for Vienna’s birthmark removal procedure. “Everyone has insecurities about their body,” said Casey. We perceived it differently, even though the doctor assured us that it wouldn’t currently affect Vienna’s mental health. Little ones are sensitive and pick up on these things, especially when they begin school at age three.
A Pathway to Recovery
Vienna’s birthmark has been successfully removed, and she is now a healthy two-year-old with just a tiny scar remaining on her forehead. Casey frequently remarks on her newborn girl’s extreme beauty while providing regular updates on her daughter’s recuperation.
The concerned parents went so far as to fly to London to have the surgeon confirm that the little scar was healing. Vienna had already undergone three operations and therapies, so they wanted to make sure she wouldn’t need any more. Fortunately, she is well at the moment and doesn’t need any more medical attention.
Vienna’s Promising Future
We send little Vienna our warmest regards. We wish her a lifetime of health and pleasure as she grows up. Do not hesitate to tell others about her inspirational tale!
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