County non-profit Places for People (P4P) unveiled its first-ever paid staffer at its annual Sleeping in Cars fundraiser, with
Marc Beisheim named interim executive director.
The chartered accountant steps into the role following years of chief financing roles in the corporate world. He’s worked with The Canadian Press, energy company Hydrogenics and Aeroquest International Limited and holds a bachelor of commerce degree in accounting and finance from the University of Ottawa and master’s in business management from the Schulich School of Business at York University.
“Most of my career has been spent in senior management roles in both operational and financial management in environments that were experiencing transition, significant change and growth… where they need a firm hand in choppy seas to refocus the core of the business” Beisheim said. “This background aligns well with where P4P finds itself at this moment.”
He’s no stranger to the organization having served as board treasurer since the fall. Beisheim said his main priority will be preparing the organization for major growth over the next few years.
P4P has committed to purchasing 15 of the 35 units Habitat for Humanity is building on Peninsula Road overlooking Grass Lake.
Habitat hopes to break ground at the site in fall 2027.
P4P has yet to specifically reveal how much capital will be required to facilitate that, though last fall founder Fay Martin said she expects it will be several million dollars.
The organization currently boasts 21 units, which it offers at 80 per cent of average market rentals in the area. Heat and hydro are included in the rent.
“Our ambition would be to increase that over the next three years,” Beisheim said. “The wind is at our back… I think the market is returning to a place where there may be opportunities in terms of existing builds that could be taken on as affordable rentals. We just need to find the means to act on those opportunities.”
He said a key part of his job in the short term will be identifying new revenue streams to allow P4P to increase its capacity.
“The way the organization has rolled over the past 20 years is jumping on opportunistic purchases that have been financed one at a time. We want to develop a more deliberate strategy fuelled by finances and backing that we’re working on securing,” Beisheim said, noting he hopes to have more news on that in the next three-to six months.
“We want to position ourselves with a bit of a war chest to be able to meet our commitments to Habitat and grow even further beyond that,” he added.
With the rising cost of living and economic uncertainty driven by U.S. tariffs and war in the Middle East, Beisheim feels “offering certainty to people through availability of safe, affordable housing has never been more important.”
P4P president Susan Tromanhauser revealed at the organization’s AGM in November that it was looking to add an executive director. With Beisheim now in place, albeit in an interim capacity, he said the non-profit could look to bring more paid staff on board.
“Continuing to be fully 100 per cent volunteer-driven was becoming unsustainable. What P4P needs now are the resources and dedication of staff to help us,” Beisheim said. “With success comes challenges of growing your resources… we’re at the inflection point – which is a
wonderful opportunity we should be excited about, not intimidated by.”
Overnight success
Nataly Mylan, organizer of the annual Sleeping in Cars fundraiser, said the March 27 event was the most successful one yet.
Around 50 participants combined for $58,738 as of press time, with more donations still coming in. ACM Designs was recognized as the top business fundraiser, bringing in $11,450, the Halls/Saskatchewan Lake group named top team after raising $4,235 and Valerie Jarvis the
top individual at $2,360.
“We’re so thankful to be part of such an incredibly giving community,” Mylan said. “We’d like to thank all the participants, sponsors, everyone who donated and cheered us on to help make this the most successful Sleeping in Cars ever.”
