{"id":10491,"date":"2026-01-25T13:27:43","date_gmt":"2026-01-25T17:27:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bluedoor.ca\/?p=10491"},"modified":"2026-01-27T13:31:37","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T17:31:37","slug":"road-home-new-blue-door-ceo-has-inspiring-first-month-on-job","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluedoor.ca\/road-home-new-blue-door-ceo-has-inspiring-first-month-on-job\/","title":{"rendered":"ROAD HOME: New Blue Door CEO has inspiring first month on job"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Posted On: January 25, 2026, Posted By: Debbie Schatia, NewmarketToday, Original Article.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I meet more community partners and community members, my discussions will focus on how we can work together to prevent and end homelessness, says new Blue Door CEO Debbie Schatia<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to joining Blue Door, I had heard of the organization\u2019s excellent reputation and innovative outcome-driven programming. Now, having completed my first month as the new CEO at Blue Door, I want to pull back the curtain and share with you what I have learned and where Blue Door is headed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the first programs I visited was Construct, Blue Door\u2019s employment program. While I was there, close to 20 participants were learning new skills, some in the hands-on shop and some in the newly expanded classroom, learning through Construct\u2019s online education portal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And just before the holidays, five cohorts graduated from Construct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the graduation ceremony, graduates were celebrated for their accomplishments and spoke glowingly about the quality of the program and how it set them up for employment success in the future. Graduates shared their dreams and aspirations, inspiring us all to keep going.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The staff participated as champions, supporters and cheerleaders; the smiles on their faces were almost as glowing as those on the participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And yet, there was more to celebrate. Some graduates could not be present as they had already started their new careers \u2014 a remarkable outcome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also visited two of Blue Door\u2019s Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold programs. On this visit, I noted how young some of the people accessing support are, the number of individuals who are experiencing homelessness for the first time, and the passionate program team and volunteers who knew everyone by name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The program team demonstrated a level of caring and humanity that was heartwarming. Learning that, each night, Blue Door\u2019s Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold program provides a bed, a meal and a safe space for 95 individuals inspired me to expand on proven solutions and continue on the path to building more deeply affordable housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This year, Blue Door is scheduled to complete redevelopment and the creation of 14 stacked townhouses in Newmarket that will provide dignified, affordable and emergency housing for vulnerable individuals experiencing homelessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Standing at the redevelopment site with my hard hat on was a highlight from my first month. It is a step into Blue Door\u2019s future. If the York Region community is going to end homelessness, affordable housing options must be part of the plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I also visited the Beaverton program in Durham Region, modular housing built by Durham Region and staffed by Blue Door. Once again, I saw the power of dignified, transitional housing with built-in community spaces where individuals can build a community and reduce isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With strong existing programs and a plan to increase affordable housing, I am further excited for next steps, having met the incredible team driving and delivering meaningful change. I am thoroughly impressed with the Blue Door team\u2019s level of care, compassion and commitment. Every team member is focused on having an impact and making a difference for people experiencing homelessness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As I meet more community partners and community members, my discussions will focus on how we can work together to prevent and end homelessness in Canada. Blue Door has developed proven strategies that we will work to grow and replicate. We will partner to have a deeper impact, continue to build on the strength of staff, and always look for ways to build more deeply affordable housing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To those I have had the opportunity to meet, thank you for being so welcoming. To those I have yet to meet, I look forward to the opportunity.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Posted On: January 25, 2026, Posted By: Debbie Schatia, NewmarketToday, Original Article. As I meet more community partners and community members, my discussions will focus on how we can work together to prevent and end homelessness, says new Blue Door CEO Debbie Schatia Prior to joining Blue Door, I had heard of the organization\u2019s excellent […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":9777,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10491","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t