Coldest Night of the Year walkers expect to raise $60,000

Dozens of walkers made their way through the core of the city Saturday to raise awareness and funds in support of some of Brantford’s most vulnerable.

Participants in The Coldest Night of the Year event committed to walking five kilometres, past some of the services used by those in need – the Blessing Centre, which serves dinners six nights a week; the Why Not Youth Centre; and St. Andrew’s Church, which operates Soup for the Soul.

“It kind of gives them a peek inside,” said Karen Stewart, executive director of Why Not City Missions. “Much of the core of Brantford is low income. They will see pockets of homelessness. It lets them see where the need is the greatest.”

Saturday was the first full Coldest Night event since the start of the pandemic, with all participants walking together, fueled by donated hot soup and coffee, in support of the cause.

By the event start, about 75 per cent of the $60,000 fundraising goal had been met and Stewart was confident they’d reach their target.

The money will go toward Why Not’s programs — a walk-in center for youth at 368 Colborne St. and two new services, a four-bedroom transitional housing program called Charlie’s Place for young men age 18 to 25; and SHYP Home, supportive housing for young mothers between the ages of 16 and 25.

Why Not Youth Center provides local teens a safe place to hang out, get a hot meal and pick up some clothes and toiletries. And while they’re playing video games and pool, they can chat with staff about their issues.

Stewart said they get about 20 young people a night dropping in. Most, she said, are from low-income families and may have precarious housing, a history of trauma or neglect and mental health issues.

Stewart said they’re seeing an increased need for the services during the economic slide.

“Food bank usage is way up for youth. They are taking home more for their families.”

Charlie’s Place, which opened late last year, offers struggling young men a place to live for up to three years, giving them a chance to get mental health counselling, finish high school and make post-secondary plans. All four beds are taken.

SHYP Home, which also opened last year, provides young mothers and their babies the support they need “for a healthy first year,” said Stewart. Staff members help the women develop parenting skills while they work toward getting a high school diploma.

Stewart said SHYP Home filled a gap in services in Brantford. Before it opened, young moms had to go out of the city to get similar support.

“These programs are so important,” said Stewart. “If we can shift the trajectory of a young person just a couple of degrees it can have a long-term impact for them and for future generations.”

SHYP is currently home to three young moms and their babies. The plan is to increase the number of available rooms to seven.

But offering services is expensive, said Stewart. Why Not City Missions has an annual operating budget of about $800,000. The grassroots, not-for-profit is also in the midst of a $1-million capital fundraising campaign to pay off mortgages and $10,000 a month to operate the housing programs.

Why Not is a registered charity without government funding. It’s funded by a blend of income sources, private and business donations and short-term grants from foundations.

Amanda Roorda led a team of walkers from Skyline Living in Brantford at Saturday’s Coldest Night event. The team raised $8,800 for the cause, with donations they collected matched by the company.

“Not everybody is fortunate enough to have a warm place to go,” said team member Melinda McCormick.

McCormick’s 12-year-old son Anthony collected donations from teachers and other staff at his school, Holy Cross.

“I’m lucky to have all these clothes,” he said, pointing to his winter coat. “They should, too.”