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Take a walk downtown Saturday for Nathan's young people

Third annual Coldest Night of the Year is big fundraiser for Youth Haven
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Nathan Sykes, Executive Director of Youth Haven, stands outside the facility which is Simcoe County's only shelter for homeless youth. Sue Sgambati/BarrieToday

Inside the walls of the duplex with yellow siding on Wellington St., Barrie's Youth Haven has 24 beds.

But on many nights this winter, it just wasn't enough.  

"We're full pretty much all the time. We're often turning people away. Could be as high as four or five people a night," said executive director Nathan Sykes. "It’s a sad and serious situation."

For the third annual Coldest Night of the Year Walk this Saturday, Sykes says it's the community's chance to make a difference to young people who find themselves with nowhere to go. 

Everyone is invited to have a taste of what it's like to be on the streets - in what can typically be one of the coldest months of the year. 

Regardless of what the weather is like on Saturday, walkers can try to imagine being outside with few options.

"It really ties in with the experience of being homeless in Canada in wintertime and having to be out walking, finding a place to stay, finding food, finding that support," said Sykes.

"For the people who sign up to walk, they might get halfway and say, 'Gee why did I do this. It's really cold.' For people who are homeless they don't have that option of turning back or thinking about their car and their house and what they're going to do later in the night. This is a daily experience for them."

The family-friendly fundraising walk helps Simcoe County's only shelter for homeless and at-risk youth provide shelter, food, clothing, and support services.

In 2016, 300 young people across Simcoe County and beyond came to Youth Haven for help.

"Many of them fled dangerous situations including domestic violence, neglect, physical or sexual abuse, while others came to us with mental health and addiction issues," said Sykes. 

Sykes says not only are the numbers up this winter but also the complexity of the needs.

"A lot of mental health and a lot of young people who are looking for more supports," he said. 

This is Youth Haven's 30th anniversary year and for an issue that is the 'chronically under funded' part of social services Sykes says they've done 'a lot with often very little.'

In addition to being Youth Haven's biggest fundraising event, the Coldest Night of the Year Walk also creates awareness about youth homelessness.

Sykes says he's always amazed at how people don't think it's a problem in the region.

After the walk is done, there's a a soup kitchen-style meal prepared.

"It's very much tied in with the reality for so many young people who are homeless in Barrie and Simcoe County," Sykes said.

“It’s an evening where we walk together to show solidarity with our young people experiencing homelessness.”

The walk starts at 5 p.m. on Saturday from City Hall with registration at 4 p.m. 

 

 


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Sue Sgambati

About the Author: Sue Sgambati

Sue has had a 30-year career in journalism working for print, radio and TV. She is a proud member of the Barrie community.
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