In the cold of February, many of us look forward to the chance to stay at home for the evening, in the comfort of a well-heated home. Not everyone has that same security, and the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser exists to raise money for Yorkton Transitional Home for Youth (YTHY) while raising awareness for the hidden homeless problem within the city of Yorkton.
Glenda Gascho, event organizer, says the goal is to raise money, but also raise awareness, because while there is a homelessness problem in Yorkton it can be a hidden one. There are many people couch surfing, for example, and the cold snap at the end of December emphasized the need to find people places to stay warm.
“We know that they’re out there, but for the most part, it’s not something that anybody wants to talk about, because there’s still a stigma or a shame involved. I think what I want our community to understand is that we do have homeless youth or individuals in our community. We are not any more fortunate than any other community.”
YTHY has had over eighty youth go through the homes since it began in 2008, Gascho notes, and the home supports not only Yorkton but the surrounding area. They are supported by the Ministry of Social Services, but note that they use the Coldest Night fundraiser because “as everybody knows, it’s never enough.” Funds are used to increase their food budget, for example, as they are feeding 10 teenagers between their two homes.
“It’s a structured home, and that’s why we call it a transitional home. They stay with us until they’re ready to transition out. We also have our outreach program, to target youth between the age of 18 and 30.”
Once youth are over 18 they cannot stay in the transitional home, but now YTHY operates a ten-room rooming house, which costs $500 a month for people who need it, which Gascho admits can be tough for some of the residents. She notes that many of the youth come back, not to stay, but because YTHY is a resource they feel they can rely on as they move on in life, and it’s a very supportive environment.
“We have a lot of work to do, and we count on our community to come together and support our youth... We have a lot of hurting youth in our community, and for some of them it goes further than that, they need to have a home.”
Before the event itself, 98.5 The Rock and YTHY are getting together for a cold night in the parking lot at Save-On Foods on February 8th.
“We’re looking forward to that event. For awareness and letting people know that it’s real, it’s out there, and with their help we’re going to do everything we can to support the youth in our community.”
Coldest Night of the Year will take place on Feb. 24. The event itself will have two routes, one at two kilometers and one at five kilometers. The event starts at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at 73 Smith Street, and walkers will head down 4th Ave. to Broadway, either to Gladstone and back or Kahkewistahaw Gas Station and back, depending on the length of the walk chosen. Registration starts at 4:00 p.m., the walk begins at 5:00 p.m. and Gascho expects it to be finished by 8:00 p.m.
“It’s a fun event, it’s not a long, endurance event.”
The goal this year is to get more teams to walk. Individuals can walk as well. Registration is $25 until the week before the event, when it goes up to $40, but anyone 10 and under can walk for free. Walkers from 11 to 17 they want to see raise $75, at which point they get a toque. Walkers 18 and over they want to raise $150, and will receive the same award. The goal is $20,000, and they’re hoping they can get enough teams to raise that amount.
To register, either as a team or an individual walker, go to cnoy.org/location/yorkton or call Gascho at 306-782-2522.
