Homeless For The Holidays

 
 

Winter is here and the holidays are just around the corner. Regardless of which winter festivities you partake in, many would agree that the holiday season is one of the most joyful times of the year. But while most are gathered around warm fires and family dinners, some are struggling to access shelters and warming centres to stay out of the cold. In fact…

An estimated 150,000 Canadians will be sleeping in shelters, on the street, or in temporary accommodations this Christmas. 1

 

This December, many young people will be running down the stairs to presents under the tree or returning home for Christmas from their new and exciting lives at a university or college. Others may be hosting their first festive dinner for the Winter Solstice or lighting a candle for their first Hanukkah in a new apartment. But for thousands of young people, there is no place to call home this winter.

#DidYouKnow…

  • 20% of Canada’s homeless population consists of young people ages of thirteen to twenty-four. 2

  • At least 6,000 young people experience homelessness every night. 3

  • 40% of homeless youth first experience homelessness before the age of sixteen. 4

  • Over 50% of homeless youth indicated abuse at home contributed to their homelessness. 5

 
 

Being Unhoused On Christmas

The following stories were gathered by The Salvation Army and summarized by The Homeless Hub as an educational resource. These stories provide us with a glimpse into the lives of three individuals experiencing homelessness over the course of their winter holiday, Christmas. 

  • Steve is an educated, Presbyterian Priest from Hungary. He has been homeless for the past year as a result of a gambling addiction that cost him his family, career and home. He uses Salvation Army shelter services off and on and will spend Christmas there.

    “Isolation and staying alone at Christmas is no good,” he says. “I miss my family and cry a lot. Twice I’ve attempted suicide. I’m thankful for The Salvation Army. I have no one else.”

  • Six months ago, Wayne lost his job. When he could no longer pay his rent, he was evicted. He currently resides at a Salvation Army shelter where they are assisting him in finding affordable housing. With no support from family or friends, he’s happy to be at The Salvation Army this Christmas.

    “I’ll be ok,” he grins, “as long as they have a Christmas tree—and, oh, some turkey.”

  • Adam, who is homeless, sleeps on park benches and lines up at soup kitchens. With the cold winter weather setting in, he now has a warm bed and hot meals at a Salvation Army shelter.

    “I’m indebted to The Salvation Army,” says Adam. “I love the folks here at the shelter. They are like brothers and sisters. I don’t need gifts this Christmas, just their love.”

Holiday Homelessness In Our Region

Waterloo Region was recently named one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the entire country, according to new data from Statistics Canada. A population estimate done in 2018 found that approx. 601,220 live in Waterloo Region. That number is projected to increase to 835,000 by 2041. 6

In 2008, there were an estimated 333 homeless people living in this region. As of September of 2021, that number had more than tripled to 1,085, and of those, an estimated 412 people were sleeping rough every night, mainly outdoors. 7

 
 

Cold weather response plans are extremely important, now more than ever. Proper safety response actions can vary based on the time of year, and depend largely on the local climate and emergency response services available. Though smaller towns and communities may not have these services in place, most large cities in Canada have some version of the following…

  • A COLD WEATHER ALERT SYSTEM

  • EXTREME WEATHER RESPONSE SHELTERS OR WARMING CENTRES

  • EXTENDING OUTREACH SERVICES FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNSHELTERED

  • PUBLIC AWARENESS AND EDUCATION CAMPAIGNS

In Waterloo Region an Extreme Cold Warning is issued when the temperature or wind chill is expected to reach minus 30° C for at least two hours. For more information or to find a warming centre, click here.

 
 

How To Help

The holidays can be a particularly lonely and difficult time for those experiencing homelessness. In addition, people who are unsheltered or unhoused face severe risks in winter weather due to their prolonged exposure to cold, particularly when in damp and wet clothing. Being improperly dressed, malnourished, or dealing with an untreated injury or infection reduces the body’s capacity to tolerate cold exposure. Donating to food, toy, and clothing drives this winter is a huge help to this vulnerable community.

With colder weather rolling in, many shelters are operating at capacity; overflow shelters and warming centres are opening, and volunteers are in high demand. Above all else, monetary donations are needed. 

If you’re looking for a volunteer opportunity or cause to support this holiday season, consider the following…

 

Volunteer Opportunities

oneROOF Youth Services — Retail Volunteers Wanted. Bike Repair/Woodworking Tradesperson Wanted. Apply Now

The Food Bank of Waterloo Region — Food Drive. Learn More

Salvation Army — Toy Drive. Learn More

Local Events

May Court Club and Shop Kitchener-Waterloo — 31st Annual Fundraising Raffle, Christmas Dreams 31 Learn More

Woolwich Community Lions Club — We Care Donation Drive. Proceeds to oneROOF Youth Services & The Food Bank of Waterloo Region (Nov. 14th - 27th, 2022) Learn More

The Home Depot Canada Foundation — Orange Door Project. (Nov. 29th - Dec. 16th, 2022) to prevent and end youth homelessness. Learn More

Where To Donate

The Waterloo Region Shelter Network is made up of five local organizations in need of monetary donations this holiday season…

Looking for a place to go?

Click Here To Find A Warming Centre Near You

 

    1. Homeless at Christmas. Homeless at Christmas | The Homeless Hub. (2010). Retrieved November 22, 2022, from https://www.homelesshub.ca/resource/homeless-christmas

    2. Gaetz, S., Dej, E., Richter, T., & Redman, M. (2016). The State of Homelessness in Canada 2016. Toronto: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press

    3. Gaetz, S., Dej, E., Richter, T., & Redman, M. (2016). The State of Homelessness in Canada 2016. Toronto: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press

    4. Gaetz, S., Dej, E., Richter, T., & Redman, M. (2016). The State of Homelessness in Canada 2016. Toronto: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press

    5. Gaetz, S., Dej, E., Richter, T., & Redman, M. (2016). The State of Homelessness in Canada 2016. Toronto: Canadian Observatory on Homelessness Press

    6. Statistics Canada (https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/start)

    7. The Point in Time (PiT) Count, Waterloo Region (September 2021) https://www.regionofwaterloo.ca/modules/news/index.aspx?newsId=b22ceeaa-2181-404f-b52b-5c162ba7999f

 
Madison B.