It's cold out there. And this February, we going to do something about it. Together with thousands of Canadians across the country, our team will be walking and fundraising to support the CMHA Cowichan Valley Branch new youth shelter.
We are creating a safe space for street-entrenched and homeless youth.
The Cowichan Valley has an estimated 400 individuals who are unhoused, precariously housed (couch surfing) and increasingly, living in vehicles. As housing becomes more scarce and less affordable, these numbers are increasing. Many of these individuals are youth. At a time in their lives when they need stability, direction, and support, they have none. Some have aged out of care, left unhealthy family situations, some have disabilities, and many have trauma we can't imagine. Some turn to substances to ease the pain.
How can we help?
We can start by providing a safe place for youth to drop in. We can listen while we provide the basics, such as a warm meal, medical attention, a warm shower and some clean clothes. We can learn about what they need and direct them to resources in the community. We can provide a soft place to land in hard times and hope to provide the vital connection needed to change the course of their lives, possibly helping them to avoid a life on the streets.
What are we doing?
Since 2022, CMHA Cowichan Valley has raised almost $200,000 through CNOY to create a safe space supporting at-risk and homeless youth in the Cowichan Valley. We are very excited to share that the CMHA Cowichan Valley Branch recently used these funds as a down payment on the purchase of a home in Duncan that will be used as a youth shelter serving 15-19-year-olds. We are working quickly to transform this property to welcome youth through its doors and provide a safe, warm place for them to call home. We could not have done this without the Coldest Night of the Year fundraising and the support of our partners in this event, the Blue Sea Foundation.
What can you do to help?
CMHA Cowichan Valley Branch will have a significant mortgage to pay down and need to develop programs and resources for youth staying in the shelter. Coldest Night of the Year will continue to be an annual fundraising campaign to support this vital program.
Please, give generously by clicking the "Donate Now" button above. Thanks!