THUNDER BAY – Shoppers at Home Depot in Thunder Bay have a new way to help Shelter House. As part of its commitment to help end youth homelessness in Canada, The Home Depot® Canada Foundation launched its annual The Orange Door Project fundraising campaign today, which collects $2 donations from customers and gives 100 per cent of the proceeds to local youth-serving organizations.
Customers shopping in the Thunder Bay Home Depot stores can donate $2 at the checkout in exchange for a (paper) Orange Door. One hundred per cent of proceeds stay in the community and go to support the housing and life-skills development programs at Shelter House. The campaign runs until July 2, 2015.
Shelter House provides short-term relief to those in need of shelter, food, clothing and access to resources to support their transition toward successful independent living. It also forges community links, identifies gaps in services currently being provided for its clients by the community and acts as an advocate for change.
“Every night in Canada, more than 6,000 youth don’t have a safe place to call home,” said Bill Lennie, chair, board of directors, The Home Depot Canada Foundation and president, The Home Depot Canada. “We believe this has to change. Our associates are passionate about this cause and together with our customers and local, youth-serving charities; we can give vulnerable youth opportunities for a brighter future.”
Quick Facts
- Youth are one of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population in Canada
- One in five shelter users in Canada are youth, ages 16 to 24
- The male to female ratio in youth shelters is 2:1
- 41 to 43 per cent of youth experiencing homelessness were in foster care or group homes
- Youth who successfully leave the streets within two years or less are more likely to make a healthy transition to adulthood – making an intervention early is key to solving the problem.
About The Home Depot Canada Foundation:
The Home Depot Canada Foundation is committed to putting an end to youth homelessness in Canada. On any given night, more than 6,000 young people are without a place to call home, making youth homelessness one of the most urgent social issues facing Canadians today. Through The Orange Door Project initiative, the Foundation has made a three-year, $10-million pledge to support renovation and repair projects and programs that provide vulnerable youth with access to safe, stable housing and support services. For more information, please visit: www.homedepot.ca/foundation
