The Home Depot Canada, which has a store in Langley, is putting its support behind helping homeless youth.
Beginning Thursday, June 1, Langley’s The Home Depot Canada store will be raising funds in support of Encompass Support Services Society.
The Orange Door fundraising campaign is part of a national initiative to raise awareness and funds for 121 youth shelters, drop-in centres and aid organizations across Canada.
With the latest research showing homelessness begins as young as age 13, The Home Depot Canada notes that “there’s never been a greater need to help young people access safe, stable housing and support programs.”
Until July 2, customers can donate $2 at the store’s checkout in exchange for an orange paper door.
All donations will help Encompass Support Services Society provide support to homeless and at-risk youth, including a youth street outreach worker and a youth homelessness initiative.
“In neighbourhoods across Canada, kids as young as 13 are experiencing homelessness for the first time. Together, we can shine a light on this serious social issue and inspire our friends, family and neighbours to take action to help,” said Jeff Kinnaird, chair of The Home Depot Canada Foundation’s board of directors, and president of The Home Depot Canada.
The Orange Door Project was established with the goal of eliminating youth homelessness in Canada.
One hundred eighty-two Home Depot Canada stores are taking part in this year’s campaign by selling paper orange doors in-store, and by rolling up their sleeves to help local charities complete renovation projects.
The Home Depot Canada covers all administrative costs of the campaign, ensuring 100 per cent of customer donations made at the Langley store benefit Encompass Support Services Society.
In 2016, the store raised $11,056.
For more information, visit: www.orangedoorproject.ca.
Quick Facts:
• The Orange Door Project in-store fundraising campaign has raised more than $6.6 million since 2007.
• In 2016, Home Depot Canada associates donated 60,000 hours of hands-on help in their communities.
• Homelessness can begin as young as age 13 – and if not addressed, can lead to years on the streets (Source: Without a Home: The National Youth Homelessness Survey).
• Every night, 6,000 young people in Canada either sleep outside or go to an emergency shelter. Even more are part of a hidden homeless population who ‘couch surf’ with family or friends.
About The Home Depot Canada Foundation
The Home Depot Canada Foundation is committed to helping prevent and put 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 pledged $20 million by 2018 to improve housing options, support life-skills development programs, and invest in research that ensures funding is directed to the most effective solutions designed to help youth build brighter futures. For more information, please visit: www.orangedoorproject.ca.
About Encompass Support Services Society
Encompass Support Services Society (formerly Aldergrove Neighbourhood Services Society) is a broad-based social service organization that plans, develops, facilitates and operates programs that respond to the needs of the Langley community.
Specifically, they provide housing support to youth through their Youth Homelessness Initiative, which connects with youth up to the age of 25 who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
This helps to stabilize their housing situation. Their youth street outreach workers help youth navigate through challenges and barriers that are creating instability or loss of housing. They support these youth and work towards securing a safe and stable place with their Emergency Receiving Home.