Chilliwack, it’s time to put on your winter boots, mitts, and scarves to combat youth homelessness in the area. On Feb. 24, the Cyrus Centre will be participating in the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) event—which is happening in more than 120 communities across Canada—for the third year in a row.
Currently, it’s estimated that more than a quarter-million Canadians are homeless, and each night, more than 35,000 of those are stuck sleeping on the streets, including upwards of 7,000 youth.
Operating in Abbotsford since 2004, the Cyrus Centre opened a location in Chilliwack in 2014 at the request of the community after research showed at least 44 per cent of the local homeless population was under the age of 19.
“Homelessness has increased since 2014, so more youth are on the streets,” says Maren Kroeker, a Cyrus Centre community development worker.
And although the Centre’s number one goal is restoring youth to their families, it’s not always possible as family conflict is the number one reason young people flee their homes, often before the age of 16, which is why the Cyrus Centre is so important.
READ MORE: Take a walk on the Coldest Night
Focusing on helping disadvantaged youth aged 12 to 18, the Cyrus Centre is doing its best to provide what homeless youth say they need the most—a safe place to shower, do laundry, eat, sleep, and communicate with supportive adults—but it’s not always easy to help everybody who needs it.
In 2016, the Chilliwack Cyrus Centre turned youth away from its emergency housing program 242 times because they lacked the room. However, last year—through funds raised by CNOY events and donations from the City of Chilliwack—the Centre was able to expand its emergency program capacity, and not a single person was turned away in 2017 because space wasn’t available.
By expanding their full-time beds from five to nine, and adding 10 winter beds, the Cyrus Centre was able to make a impact on youth homelessness in the area, but know they’ve got a long ways to go, which is why they’re again participating in the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser.
“If we can help them within the first two years of being on the street, we have a higher chance of keeping them off the streets for good,” says Maren Kroeker, a Cyrus Centre community development worker.
But money is needed to do that.
READ MORE: Chilliwack’s Coldest Night of the Year (VIDEO)
Last year, the Cyrus Centre was able to raise $17,000 through the CNOY event; this year they’ve raised their goal to $25,000. All money raised will go to increasing the amount and types of services and support the Cyrus Centre can offer.
“Last year proved it was worth it, we made a big impact on the youth and a bigger impact on the community because we’re able to reduce the number of youth staying on the streets,” Kroeker adds.
There’s a $25 registration fee to walk the CNOY for the Cyrus Centre, which increases to $40 on Feb. 19, but anyone who fundraises over $150 can walk for free.
“It’s a super relaxed, (accessible), family-friendly event,” says Kroeker. “And everyone gets a toque!”
The route is 5 km long, and loops back to Cyrus Centre where everyone will have a chance to warm up with some chili and buns.
To register in the Coldest Night of the Year walk, please visit cnoy.org/location/chilliwack.