Posted On: June 15, 2024 Posted By: Metroland Staff, Newmarket Era, Original Article
To support Orange Door Project campaign, visit the Newmarket, Aurora or Bradford Home Depot Canada stores until July 7.
In honour of Pride Month, Blue Door is again partnering with local Home Depot Canada stores for the Orange Door Project campaign. From June 4 to July 7, visit the Aurora, Newmarket or Bradford Home Depot locations to help end youth homelessness in Canada. All of all funds raised at participating locations will provide life-saving supports for 2SLBGTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness.
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, 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.
Contributions will directly impact a youth-serving organization in your community. Amy Bilodeau, senior manager of community investment at the Home Depot Canada explains 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.” She added “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.”
“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,” says Michael Braithwaite, Blue Door’s CEO. “We are incredibly grateful for their unwavering support towards our INNclusion program.”
To support campaign, visit the Newmarket, Aurora, or Bradford Home Depot Canada locations until July 7. 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.
To learn more about Blue Door, INNclusion, or to make a direct donation to the program, visit BlueDoor.ca.