Opening Doors for Vulnerable Youth

There may be snow on the ground, but we’re already excited about summer because The Home Depot has once again ensured there will be plenty of fun and adventures to be had.  All Home Depot stores across the country had an in-store campaign for the Orange Door Project leading up to the holidays and HomeBridge was once again fortunate enough to partner with the Dartmouth Crossing location.  Thanks to the hard work of the staff and the generousity of their customers, over $5,000 was raised in just 41 days to support our Recreation Therapy program over the summer.

During the campaign, customers were invited to purchase a $2, $5, or $10 Orange Door at the checkout or online to support the Home Depot Canada Foundation’s efforts to prevent and end youth homelessness in Canada.  They work with charities across the country to improve housing options for vulnerable youth, supporting life skills development and employment programs, while investing in research initiatives that help identify the most effective solutions to youth homelessness.

Despite ongoing community efforts, youth homelessness continues to be a on the rise in Canada. The issues homeless youth face daily are complex and require holistic approaches and wrap-around community support. Homeless youth make up approximately 20% of the homeless population in Canada, meaning each year at least 35,000 – 40,000 young Canadians have no place to call home. They need a safe place to live. They need access to support services that will help them develop positive life outcomes.

We do everything we can to prepare the young people who live in the HomeBridge Community for successful independent living.  This included offering them educational support, therapeutic and life-skill building programs, employability skills and the support they need to move past their trauma and become their best selves.  We could not do this important work without the support of community minded organizations like The Home Depot Canada Foundation.  We continue to be incredibly grateful to be connected to them and the amazing team at the Dartmouth Crossing store.  Thank you to everyone who supported this campaign.  Together we are changing the lives of vulnerable youth in Nova Scotia.