It's cold out there. And nobody likes to see kids who are homelessness. Last year, we were able to put a down payment on a house on Hemlock St. in Duncan, and began transforming the home into our Youth Emergency Shelter.
This down payment was a direct result of our Coldest Night of the Year fundraising efforts. The Cowichan Youth Emergency Shelter (YES) is the second program of its kind in BC.
The Youth Emergency Shelter is a 24/7 therapeutic community-based crisis service in Duncan that provides a temporary safe placement (one to 14 days) for youth who are experiencing homelessness, or unstable/precarious living situations, and are in need of a temporary placement and support services. Currently there are three bedrooms available. YES consists of three essential elements: drop-in day programming, outreach services and overnight shelter.
The mortgage has been paid in full thanks to generous donations and the next step is securing a permanent building that can combine the CMHA Youth Drop‑In Centre with transitional housing for youth aged 19 and older. Continued fundraising through Coldest Night of the Year directly supports this goal, helping ensure young people have stable housing as they move into adulthood.
Please, give generously by clicking the "Donate Now" button above. Thank you for helping to keep our kids out of the cold.
Kathy