Coldest Night of the Year celebrates 10th anniversary Saturday
By Contributor
Organizers of the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser are excited to announce that 2024 will be the 10th year that Nelson CARES Society will host the event.
This Saturday, February 24th, hundreds of Nelsonites will walk together in the chilly, dark streets to raise awareness and funds for those impacted by homelessness. These walkers will have reached out to their friends, family, and colleagues for donations to support their efforts.
Saturday, CNOY walkers will be checking in at 4 p.m. before the walk starts at 5 p.m.
The meal part of the event starts at 6 p.m. welcoming CNOY walkers for a warm bowl of chili.
The funds raised through Saturday’s Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser remain in the community, supporting the Ready for Home program, which operates from Ward Street Place in Nelson.
The goal of the Ready for Home program is to stop the cycle of homelessness and work one-on-one with individuals to maintain their stable, affordable housing.
This program provides transitional and stabilization supports for individuals with physical, emotional, and mental health challenges. Supports include creating individual action plans, setting up appointments, providing referrals, and establishing a sense of belonging and community.
The Housing Support staff works closely with each of the 40 residents of Ward Street Place. The data shows conclusively that if we can support people to stay housed for a period of two years, re-entry into homelessness is significantly diminished, and health outcomes are dramatically improved.
“The issue of affordable housing and the unhoused can seem insurmountable, which can sometimes leave folks feeling frustrated and helpless,” said Coldest Night Coordinator Stephanie Myers.
“The Coldest Night of the Year fundraising walk is a very tangible thing people can do to directly support 40 of our neighbours to stay safely housed at Ward Street Place. You can walk, donate, or volunteer, and all of this will help our neighbours and our community.”
Nelson CARES Society supports this program through the annual fundraising event Coldest Night of the Year.
Anyone interested in finding out more information can contact [email protected] or head to cnoy.org/nelson to sign up.
