No one wants to be left out in the cold and Youth Haven is doing whatever it can to make sure that doesn't happen, because they've had to turn people away for lack of space.
The Coldest Night of the Year will take place Saturday, Feb. 22 and organizers are hoping to raise $50,000 to battle youth homelessness.
The annual event is put on by Youth Haven to raise money to help benefit people between the ages of 16 and 24 who are experiencing homelessness and, in some cases, abuse.
The walk begins at Barrie City Hall at 5:15 p.m. There will be two-kilometre, 5K and 10K options.
The idea of the event is to show those who choose to walk how cold it can be for a brief time, let alone the amount of time those suffering from homelessness have to endure.
Youth Haven executive director Lucy Gowers says the walk is an eye-opener for some, but also a welcomed event to top up the organization’s much-needed funds.
“The idea is to see what it is like to be in the cold and not able to go into your home whenever you feel,” said Gowers. “The funds we raise will help us keep our doors open and supply things the youth need.”
The region’s youth homeless numbers continue to grow and Youth Haven has extended its services throughout Simcoe County.
Last year, more than 400 young people came to the organization seeking support and counselling, but Gowers says the number of times they have had to turn young people away is staggering.
“We’ve also had to say ‘sorry we do not have a bed for you tonight’ 432 times last year alone,” she said. “We recognize that this is a crisis.”
Gowers also told BarrieToday that the stigma of teenagers choosing to be out of their homes is not accurate. She invites anyone who thinks that to come to Youth Haven and see why someone would not choose that life.
“I encourage people to come through the shelter and see what some of the youth may experience,” Gowers said. “This isn’t the best facility available to them, but we make due with what we have.
“If you are a youth who comes from a well-to-do home, who has the luxury of your own room and warmth and so on, I really don’t think you’d want to leave all that to come here," she added. "This is many times their last resort.”
For more information on the Coldest Night of the Year or to sign up, click here.
Sign-in time at 4 p.m. at 70 Collier St.
