The homeless need our help now more than ever before. On Dec 10th, 2021, the HHTH will reinstate our annual fundraiser in York Region.
The proceeds of my fundraise will be distributed to 3 organizations - 50% of funds raised go to 360kids and to Blue Door. The other 50% goes to Hockey with Heart.
360°Kids website: Homepage - 360°kids (360kids.ca)
360°kids has been supporting at risk and homeless youth in York Region between the ages of 16-26 years old for the past 29 years. They provide a full range of support services to youth including emergency and transitional housing, basic needs like food and clothing, personal support, outreach to schools, gang prevention and intervention, counselling, and education upgrading all designed to help youth get back on their feet. In their transitional programs, they work with youth delivering one-on-one support and life skills to help them one day, live independently within the community. Facts: The 360°kids Transitions program is the only program of its kind in all the GTA. - Last year, 360°kids served over 4,372 youth. At any given time in Canada, there are more than 65,000 young people without a place to call home.
Blue Door website: Blue Door – Giving Hope a Home
Blue Door, located in York Region, provides safe and supportive emergency housing, and housing services and supports for people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Founded in 1982, they operate three sites: Leeder Place for families, Porter Place for men, and Kevin’s Place for male youth. Their mission is to support people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness to attain and retain affordable housing. Blue Door is addressing the root causes of homelessness to lift people out of poverty and into stable housing by focusing on: Expanding Housing Options to Improve Housing Stability and Homelessness Prevention, Improving Physical and Mental Health and Creating New Employment Opportunities. Facts: Three supportive housing programs:
1. Abode: Second stage housing for families
2. Forward: Supportive housing for senior men
3. INNclusion: Safe supportive housing for 2SLGTBQ+ youth
24,485 NIGHTS OF SAFETY (2020), 100% CONSTRUCT GRADUATES EMPLOYED (2020)
73,455 MEALS PROVIDED (2020)
Hockey with Heart website: Home - Hockey with Heart
Making the community a better place is the primary goal as enablers of goodwill and kindness within the Unionville and Markham community. We represent the Unionville Men’s Hockey Club membership by organizing and mobilizing support towards various “needs” projects and initiatives within the community. This group is not a licensed charity but raises funds from the UMHC players & sponsors. Additional fundraising initiatives throughout the year to augment the financial support from our players. Facts: Kindness Events include:
Annual Christmas Food drive. In 2020 over $24,000.was raised.
360 Kids donation (in recognition of a UMHC player that passed away prematurely) - $10,000. Feb 2021
Hamper of Hope Xmas Program - December 2020 $17,500
Markham Food Bank – 3 bulk food donations dropped off - March 2021 $10,000
Make a Wish - Markham wish sponsorship - September 2021 $5,000
Homeless young boys & girls do not get the same support that we all enjoyed. They do not get the same opportunity as they transition into adulthood. Many that are from broken homes, many are fighting mental illness or have just not got the right support in their formative years. In many cases, medical science has not kept pace with their health challenges. Many of these folks fall through the cracks in our society including the health care system. I am fortunate to still play hockey with a group that enjoy our version of hockey but also take time to try and make a difference for others less fortunate in the community. I am asking you to help donate money if you can. We cannot turn back the clock for the homeless and provide a re-do, but we can try to make sure they get the most basic necessities of life. The players & fund raisers for this event are diverse – a wide range of ages with both men & women playing.
Please consider supporting this cause.
Stay safe.
Mike
