“His tent is not winterized, and getting ready for work means waking up in the cold and changing into his work clothes while shivering. ‘You’re waking up cold and going under your blankets just trying to warm up,’ he added. ‘Then you gotta change out of your clothes and be even colder before getting dressed for work.’”
In case you missed it, last week Toronto Star [published an important article about Ve’ahavta’s outreach van program. The reporter, Reagan McSwain, joined us for an evening and did an excellent job of capturing the reality our outreach workers and volunteers witness every night:
You can “get a job” and still be homeless and living in an encampment
People are sleeping under a snow drift with only a pile of wet blankets separating them from the elements
It’s very difficult to reach people in extreme weather – often because they are too cold to leave their tents or warming centres
Homelessness in our city is, unfortunately, growing. There are now an estimated 12,000 people in Toronto who are homeless, a 15% increase from last year.
Wouldn’t it feel good to know that you did something to help?
It’s not too late to sign up to join me on Saturday, February 22nd for Coldest Night of the Year 2025. At this annual event, we will walk to raise much needed funds for Ve’ahavta’s mobile outreach van services and to raise awareness about poverty and homelessness in our city. Together with you, our partners at Beth Tzedek Congregation, Holy Blossom Temple, and Timothy Eaton Memorial Church, and our supporters, will walk to help make change happen in our city.
When it comes to homelessness in our city, you can make a difference.
Cari Kozierok,
CEO, Ve’ahavta
Feb 22nd is Coldest Night of the Year 2025! Come walk with us! And help ensure that people facing homelessness get the basic essentials they need to survive the harsh winter months, while at the same time raising awareness, empathy, and breaking down stigmas.
