Posted on: June 18, 2024 Posted by: Metroland Staff, Newmarket Era, Original Article
From June 4 to July 7, funds collected at the Aurora, Newmarket or Bradford Home Depot locations will go to help end youth homelessness in Canada.
It’s Pride month, and Blue Door is once again partnering with local Home Depot stores for the Orange Door Project campaign.
Until July 7, funds collected at the Aurora, Newmarket or Bradford Home Depot locations will go to help end youth homelessness in Canada. 100 per cent of all funds raised at participating locations will provide life-saving supports for 2SLBGTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness.
Customers can donate $2, $5 or $10 in-store or online at www.orangedoorproject.ca, and 100 per cent of the funds will go to Blue Door’s INNclusion program for vulnerable 2SLGBTQ+ youth in York Region.
“The Home Depot Canada Foundation and The Orange Door Project campaign provides Blue Door with the funds it needs to house and support vulnerable 2SLGBTQ+ youth in our community,” Michael Braithwaite, Blue Door’s CEO, said. “We are incredibly grateful for their unwavering support toward our INNclusion program.”
Blue Door’s INNclusion program is the first and only transitional supportive housing program in York Region for 2SLGBTQ+ youth. In recent years, research has shown that 2SLGBTQ+ youth are significantly overrepresented among youth experiencing homelessness, accounting for about 40 per cent of homeless youth.
There are numerous factors that contribute to the overrepresentation and push 2SLGBTQ+ youth into homelessness. Identity-based family conflict is the most common cause of homelessness for 2SLGBTQ+ youth, as they are often forced to leave their homes due to family rejection and unsafe living conditions. Additionally, many 2SLGBTQ+ youth do not access shelters due to discrimination preventing them from equitable housing opportunities.
Amy Bilodeau, senior manager of community investment at The Home Depot Canada, said that each of the 182 stores across Canada are paired up with a local youth-serving organization in their community with partners in-store to speak to the direct impact donations have.
“100 per cent of customer dollars are helping to prevent youth homelessness very directly in their community. It’s a national campaign, but it’s community-focused,” she said.
For more information, visit bluedoor.ca.