Posted on: February 20, 2025, Posted By: Mike Adler, Richmond Hill Liberal, Original Article.
Winter storms and frigid temperatures can make you see how terrible it is in York Region not to have a home.
People will soon have some chances, at places across the region, to show they care.
Blue Door’s Coldest Night of the Year events this Saturday, Feb. 22 will help open beds and stock warm winter coats.
On March 6, 360°kids’ The 360°Experience returns to raise money while participants see what reality for youth who are homeless is like.
“The need for affordable housing and solutions to prevent and end homelessness have never been higher,” Blue Door CEO Michael Braithwaite said in a statement.
“The funds from our Coldest Night of the Year event allow us to support our Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold programs serving 90 individuals a night, and as well to develop new and innovative deeply affordable housing programs that will house those most in need for years to come.”
People are registering to walk in Newmarket on Feb. 22 with Inn From the Cold, an organization which offers vulnerable people shelter, job training and chances to integrate themselves into the community.
In Stouffville, people will walk the same day to support City Street Outreach, a volunteer-run charity that provides food, clothing and other assistance to street-involved youth, refugees, single mothers and others in need across Greater Toronto
And a Richmond Hill walk aims to raise $150,000 to help Blue Door, the region’s largest emergency housing provider, strengthen and expand its essential programs, the charity said in a release.
“For one night we are asking our community to brave the cold for a short walk to raise funds so that everyone can have a safe, affordable, and warm home to escape the cold,” Braithwaite said.
Individuals and teams will take part March 6 in The 360°Experience as it returns for a 12th year.
Money raised will give unhoused youth a safe place to sleep, access to supportive programs and resources needed to build a brighter future, the Markham-based group said in a statement.
Young people the group helps “face challenges that nobody should endure,” added CEO Clovis Grant.
“Participating in the 360°Experience has helped me understand what it’s like for a youth to have no place to go.”
The event offers different ways to participate.
Organizations can send groups to a six-hour “interactive, team-based challenge” at the Community Safety Village in Stouffville.
Other York residents can choose to navigate on streets overnight at selected places in Greater Toronto or can join the event virtually from home.
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On March 6, 360°kids’ The 360°Experience returns to raise money while participants see what reality for youth who are homeless is like.
“The need for affordable housing and solutions to prevent and end homelessness have never been higher,” Blue Door CEO Michael Braithwaite said in a statement.
“The funds from our Coldest Night of the Year event allow us to support our Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold programs serving 90 individuals a night, and as well to develop new and innovative deeply affordable housing programs that will house those most in need for years to come.”
People are registering to walk in Newmarket on Feb. 22 with Inn From the Cold, an organization which offers vulnerable people shelter, job training and chances to integrate themselves into the community.
In Stouffville, people will walk the same day to support City Street Outreach, a volunteer-run charity that provides food, clothing and other assistance to street-involved youth, refugees, single mothers and others in need across Greater Toronto.