Yorkton’s first annual Coldest Night of the Year started strong, with $10,000 raised for Yorkton Transitional Homes for Youth.
Peg Beaton says that the YTHY has to thank the community for their support at the event. The kids who are supported by the YTHY helped with holding the event, and Beaton says that for them to see the community coming out to support them and kids like them was a big boost in their lives.
“They just had such a sense of being supported that they were overwhelmed, that there were that many people who cared about them. That, to me, was a major thing for them to realize. They’re not alone, there’s a community. Personally, I always say it takes a community to raise a child, especially these children because they don’t have anyone else to support them.”
They money raised through the fundraiser will be used to hire a full-time person to follow youth as they leave the home after turning 18. Beaton says that the goal is to give support to kids who do not have parents as they transition into adult life.
“Right now we have 49 who have been through the homes, and right now we have in the home we have six youth. Out of those, four will be moving on in June. It’s about being able to follow up and give support. We call that our Independent Living Coordinator.”
Beaton adds that a secondary goal of the event was to build awareness and get people to realize what is happening in Yorkton when it comes to homelessness.
“It’s just a breakthrough into the community. We were told we’re the best kept secret in town, because nobody really knew what we were doing or that somebody was working with homeless youth.”
With more people aware of what YTHY does, they are better able to support the youth in Yorkton who need it.
“Without that knowledge in the community, how can people come forward?”
The lead sponsor for the 2016 was SIGN, which brought in $1,700, $500 in sponsorship and $1,200 raised by the SIGN team for the event. Andrew Sedley, Executive Director of SIGN, says they supported the project was a way to invest in the community.
“It’s something that we’re seeing time and time again, and YTHY are able to provide a supportive service in this community for so many needy individuals that really can use the support and those services.”
Beaton says that the plan for next event is to start earlier, with the beginning of the campaign starting on November 1. They hope to get more teams to participate in the walk, as well as giving teams the chance to talk to friends and family about the Coldest Night and what the money is going to support.
People can still donate to the Coldest Night of the Year until March 18.
