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Organizers gear up for Coldest Night of the Year walk

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Organizers are hoping to raise $30,000 at the annual Coldest Night of the Year walk set for Feb. 22.

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“This is a pivotal year for us because now we’re doing this event on our own and we’re a little concerned about participation,” said Becca McLellan, director of the Why Not City Youth Centre.

“In the past, we partnered with the Welcome In but they’ve since closed. We were on our own last year for the first time and we did pretty well but we’re concerned about getting the support we need this year.”

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The Welcome In was a homeless shelter that closed after city officials decided to adopt a new strategy to deal with homelessness. Prior to its closing, officials from Welcome In worked with Why Not to raise funds through the Coldest Night of the Year walk.

McClellan is hoping the community will come through for Why Not City again this year.

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This year’s walk starts at Yes Church on West Street, with participants choosing from two-, five- or 10-kilometre routes. Registration begins at 4 p.m.

“The walk is a way of fundraising but it’s also symbolic because it gives participants a chance to follow the footsteps of those in are community who are are young and living in unstable conditions,” McLellan said. “A lot of our youth will spend their days walking from one warm place to another and from one meal program to another.

“They spend a lot of time walking around the community.”

She noted that it’s important to understand that youth homelessness is a different experience than that of adults.

“When we talk about youth homelessness, it’s not that they don’t have a place to stay at night,” McLellan said. “Often, they do have a place to stay but it’s something they have to pay for.

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“They pay for it in sexual favours, unpaid labour or by running drugs.”

She noted that the Why Not centre, at 368 Colborne St., aims to bring stability into the lives of such young people and keep them safe.

Founded in 2002 by Charlie and Sue Kopczyk, the centre offers a range of programs in support of troubled young people, aged 13 to 18.

The centre sees, on average, 60 people a day. Of those, most have lived in three or more places in a single year.

Funds raised through the Coldest Night of the Year event are used to support the Why Not centre. Last year’s walk raised $25,000

“It was huge because it enabled us to extend our hours of operation,” McLellan said. “Essentially, we were able to add service and now operate seven days a week.”

McLellan said she hopes this year’s walk will attract 150 participants.

To register for the walk online, visit https://cnoy.org/location/brantford or visit the centre.

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