On the above photo: Maggie’s Place Executive Director & Board Member and VIDA's Chief Growth Officer.
Truro, NS - Maggie’s Place Family Resource Centre was at risk of losing their Truro location when their building was put up for sale in 2022 by VIDA. The Prince Street location was purchased by the housing company as part of a 500-unit transaction in December 2021. Since VIDA exclusively owns and operates affordable multifamily residential buildings, it always intended to sell the Maggie’s Place location at 1027 Prince Street, a freestanding building on commercially zoned land.
Maggie's Place is a registered charity that offers a variety of free programs and services to parents/caregivers and their children in Cumberland and Colchester Counties. Programs include playgroups, prenatal and parenting classes, food programs, and a home visiting program. They have been in their Prince Street location since 2013. “Ten years ago, we ran a ‘It Takes a Village to Move Maggie’s Place’ campaign and received tremendous support from the community to turn this building into a warm and inviting resource centre for families,” said Linda Legere, Executive Director of Maggie’s Place in Truro.
In 2022, the building being listed for sale once again presented a real risk to the future of Maggie’s Place, as the next buyer might seek a new tenant who would pay higher rent. "The board of directors decided to look at the possibility of buying the building,” said Legere. Thanks to a friendly and collaborative process, Maggie’s Place was able to purchase the property from VIDA and secure their future while receiving $150,000 in total donations from VIDA and Kathy Harpell at Royal LePage Atlantic (who advised VIDA on the sale) to help complete the transaction.
Above and beyond the significant donations made to Maggie’s Place by VIDA and Ms. Harpell, Burchell Macdougall Lawyers completed the sale on behalf of Maggie’s Place on a pro bono basis. These generous contributions align with VIDA's commitment to "Creating Community," as demonstrated through their Community Partnership Program and other initiatives in collaboration with organizations such as ISANS, Halifax Discovery Center, the Musée de Saint-Boniface Museum, and Winnipeg Art Gallery.
On the photo: Linda Legere (Executive Director) & Board Members of Maggie’s Place Colchester
Maggie’s Place https://www.maggiesplace.ca.
Linda Legere, Executive Director, Maggie’s Place Colchester
902-895-0200 linda@maggiesplace.ca
About VIDA: VIDA's purpose is to revolutionize affordable communities. Safety & Security, Cleanliness, Opportunity and Community are the four pillars on which VIDA’s customers enjoy dignified rental accommodation that they are proud to call “home” and that helps them get ahead in life. VIDA’s goal is to own and operate 10,000 suites in North America by 2027.
VIDA media contact: Hugh Goodday, Chief Growth Officer, hugh@rflgroup.ca