The lovely spring evening was a welcome change from frigid winter nights and Barrie Out of the Cold volunteers came out to enjoy the nice weather and receive recognition.
Several hundred people attended the Barrie Out of the Cold annual Volunteer Appreciation Night where they were served up some good barbecue, a compelling speaker and lots of kudos.
The event at the Knights of Columbus on Berczy St. marked the end of the 19th season for the program that provides safe, overnight accommodation and meals from Nov. to Apr. for people experiencing homelessness.
After hot dogs and burgers outside, volunteers moved inside to hear from special guests Mayor Jeff Lehman and Aaron Weston, founder of the local company Northern Protocol Inc.
Mayor Lehman thanked volunteers for their efforts during an 'incredibly high demand, very difficult season.'
Lehman noted the organization, which operates out of five host churches, was at capacity 109 nights this year compared to around 80 last year and helped 5,732 people.
"It is so unbelievably valuable to the city that you are there. And far more importantly, you're saving lives," said Mayor Jeff Lehman.
"If you volunteer with Out of the Cold you save people's lives. It's that simple. If you were not there I can only imagine what would have been the end of some of your guests' stories. It would not have been a good end."
Special guest speaker was a former client of the David Busby Centre who is now chair of the Busby Centre board and a successful entrepreneur.
A sombre silence fell over the crowd as Aaron Weston, at times pausing with emotion, recounted his journey from homeless at 17 to eventually connecting with someone through the Busby Centre who believed in him and saved his life.
"When I started this thing I had $5 in my pocket. Last year we did well over a million dollars. A substantial difference because people took a chance," he said.
"Once your basic needs are met, there's hope. And you don't know who is walking in that door. It could be someone like myself who really just needed somebody to give them a chance. Somebody to care. That's the reason why I'm here today," Weston said.
"You never know. You could be supporting a president, a prime minister, the next businessmen with your very amazing and important work."
During his talk, the Mayor spoke of Barrie's red hot real estate market and the challenges it poses not only for affordable housing but for affordable rentals.
He asked volunteers to tell their friends about the issue of homelessness and the hardest to house in the city.
People with addictions and mental health issues need supportive housing which is a 'tougher sell,' he said.
Gesturing to Councillor Rose Romita, who was also a special guest, Lehman said they need the voices of the volunteers.
"At some point, Rose and I are going to stand up and advocate for one of those projects and in the neighbourhood where ever it's going to go is gonna freak out," said Lehman.
"That's the other ask I have of you because we often hear the critics but we don't hear from people who know just how important a project like that is and I am going to need your help at some point," he implored.
"We desperately need supportive housing in Barrie because you are the folks who are trying to house the hardest to house on an overnight basis, on an urgency basis and have a good sense of the issues."
