NEWS RELEASE
HOME HORIZON
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Home Horizon is hosting its 9th annual Coldest Night of the Year event, a national event that raises funds for youth at risk of homelessness in our community.
With over 190 charities participating across Canada, Home Horizon has secured a spot in the top-10, ranking sixth overall, in total fundraising in 2023 and hopes to keep climbing in the ranking this year. On February 24, 2024, we will walk together (or apart) to show our support for those youth who do not have a safe place to call home.
“The fact that we are able to rank so high is simple. We live in a community that cares deeply about the well-being of others.” says Joan Schatz, fundraising chair for Home Horizon. “The South Georgian Bay area is a tight-knit community that understands the value of the work that Home Horizon is doing. We continue to need your help… please consider starting a team and walk with us. You continue to show the youth in our community that their safety is a priority and that their future is important.”
With a goal of raising $190,000 this year, Home Horizon’s mission is to extend its reach in the community to help as many youth as possible.
Home Horizon targets youth experiencing homelessness in the Southern Georgian Bay area. The Barbara Weider House, their transitional housing program, is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and currently has capacity for ten youth to live in the House. There are currently 12 youth on the wait list.
The youth outreach program also helps connect youth with other housing service organizations in our community. They work with youth facing complex and challenging barriers including poverty, mental health, addictions, sex trafficking, racism, trauma, family breakdown, and conflictual home lives impacted by gender identity or sexual orientation.
Home Horizon has served 236 youth, including the 10 youth currently living at the Barbara Weider House, and presently has 23 youth actively working with our Outreach Worker and the program to locate stable/long term housing.
About the event:
On February 24, 2024, Collingwood & South Georgian Bay will be walking in support of Home Horizon and the Barbara Weider House for youth at risk of facing homelessness.
This is the night that the people of South Georgian Bay will join over 190 communities across Canada for the Coldest Night of the Year for a two- or five-km walk.
We will be hosting the in-person event starting at the Trinity United Church 140 Maple Street on Feb. 24, while other teams will walk in their own groups.
Please join us and sign up for the event and help Home Horizon reach its goal. To register go to cnoy.org/collingwood.
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