Coldest Night of the Year Walk raises more than $60K for Youth Haven

Barrie and other towns across the region held their annual Coldest Night of the Year walks Saturday evening to raise funds for local charities.

Hundreds took part in Saturday evening’s Coldest Night of the Year walk in Barrie, which raised more than $60,000 for the local Youth Haven.

The annual walk is a nationwide initiative to support local charities that help those experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness.

Barrie’s event on Saturday was in its 11th year and has raised nearly $600,000 in total over the last decade.

“This will truly help us make sure that we have the programs and services in place that we need in order to meet those immediate needs for the youth who come to us,” said Lucy Gowers, executive director of Barrie’s Youth Haven. “The focus [of the walk] is just to give individuals an opportunity to experience what it would be for one of our youth who has nowhere to go.”

Participants had the choice between a 2.5-kilometre walk and a five-kilometre walk in the downtown area beginning from City Hall.

The route passed by the new Youth Haven shelter that is currently under construction and set to be completed in the coming months.

“[Participants] can actually see what is going on with our new build, as well as feel a sense of pride in knowing that they’re making a difference,” added Gowers.

According to Gowers, the Youth Haven assisted upwards of 400 kids through their outreach program last year while keeping more than 120 from sleeping in the streets through their shelter program.

The funding will help the shelter continue to provide clothing and food for the youth it serves, as well as assistance for housing, education, and employment.

“It’s given me a place to stay when I didn’t really have anywhere else to go,” said Jon McKinnon, who has been assisted by the Youth Haven for more than a year. “It helped me get back on my feet, keep up with school, find a job, stuff like that.”

“It’s given me a warm place to stay, it’s given me meals and it’s been my support line for about two years now,” said Nathan Brett, another youth assisted by the shelter. “It’s given me the level of care and support I need to be able to strive and live on my own.”

There were also Coldest Night of the Year walks in Alliston, Bradford, Collingwood, Gravenhurst, Huntsville, Midland, Newmarket, and Orillia.