World Homeless Day

October 10^th is designated as World Homeless Day, to draw attention to the needs of people experiencing homelessness and to encourage  local  communities to get involved to think and act every day of the year (or as much as possible).

1. Volunteer. The World Homeless Day slogan focuses on thinking globally and acting locally; that’s a great idea. Try your community’s volunteer matching programs or http://www.getinvolved.ca/volunteers/ to find an organization that needs assistance. You may also be able to access information by calling 211 or 311 if your community supports those services.

2. Donate. Community organizations aren’t always able to take specific donated items – i.e. used clothing – because of lack of storage or hygiene issues. Call a local shelter or drop-in centre and find out what they could use. Maybe it’s a product – new socks, blankets, coffee gift cards, toiletries, food – or maybe it’s a financial donation. Leverage your donation by getting others from your work, school, family or faith community to contribute as well.

3. Learn and Share. Learn more about homelessness and its solutions by reading current research. The Homeless Hub provides lots of easily understood research resources. Check our topics section as a starting point. You can also read our State of Homelessness in Canada: 2013 report, our e-book on youth homelessness, or our newly released book Housing First in Canada: Supporting Communities to End Homelessness which addresses housing as a solution. https://www.homelesshub.ca/resource/what-world-homeless-day

4. Advocate. Contact your politicians – at the municipal, provincial/territorial or federal level. Ask them to support solutions to homelessness including a national housing strategy.

Contact: Tracy Wixon tewixon3@gmail.com