With extreme cold warnings in place, there are a record number of individuals experiencing homelessness due to the loss of jobs/instability in the workplace, and an overflowing shelter system. These individuals are also at a greater risk of contracting COVID-19 due to poor living conditions and barriers to sanitary and personal protective equipment (PPE).
We plan to distribute 100 care packages in Toronto's core which will include necessity items worth about 50$ per package, and distribute these by the end of February 2021. To reach our goal, we need your help and would love it if you could spread the word, share this page on social media, or donate any amount!
Your support means everything! We thank you for helping us in any way possible!
Each care package includes:
- Masks
- Hand Sanitizer
- Gloves and Hats
- Warm Blankets
- Socks
- Boxers
- Toothpaste and Toothbrush
- Snack Items (e.g. Protein bars, Juice)
- Sandwiches
- Water
- Personal Care Items: (E.g. Lip balm, Body Lotion, Soap, Shampoo, Pads)
Some important statistics to be aware of :
- Over 30,000 people have experienced homelessness in the past 6 months in Toronto (since Jan 2021)
- Individuals that have recently experienced homelessness were over 20x more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19, and 10x more likely to experience complications leading to death.
- Shelters are at a 97% occupancy rate every night, making it difficult for a majority of individuals to have a place to sleep every night
- 75% of people experiencing homelessness struggle with mental illness
- 29% of the individuals experiencing homelessness are aged 51 or older
- The greatest growth came from refugees, who experienced a 665% increase in homeless since 2013
- The number of deaths of people experiencing homelessness reported for the year of 2020 will be reported as the highest compared to previous years
Stat References:
City of Toronto. “Housing & Homelessness Research & Reports.” City of Toronto, 22 Jan. 2020, www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/research-reports/housing-and-homelessness-research-and-reports/.
McGillivray , Kate. “Ontario's Homeless 5 Times More Likely to Die of COVID-19, Study Finds | CBC News.” CBC News, CBC/Radio Canada, 12 Jan. 2021, www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-s-homeless-5-times-more-likely-to-die-of-covid-19-study-finds-1.5869024.
“TORONTO’S VITAL SIGNS - 02 HOUSING.” VITAL SIGNS REPORT 2019/20, 2020, torontofoundation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/VitalSigns2019_02_Housing.pdf.
We plan to distribute 100 care packages in Toronto's core which will include necessity items worth about 50$ per package, and distribute these by the end of February 2021. To reach our goal, we need your help and would love it if you could spread the word, share this page on social media, or donate any amount!
Your support means everything! We thank you for helping us in any way possible!
Each care package includes:
- Masks
- Hand Sanitizer
- Gloves and Hats
- Warm Blankets
- Socks
- Boxers
- Toothpaste and Toothbrush
- Snack Items (e.g. Protein bars, Juice)
- Sandwiches
- Water
- Personal Care Items: (E.g. Lip balm, Body Lotion, Soap, Shampoo, Pads)
Some important statistics to be aware of :
- Over 30,000 people have experienced homelessness in the past 6 months in Toronto (since Jan 2021)
- Individuals that have recently experienced homelessness were over 20x more likely to be hospitalized due to COVID-19, and 10x more likely to experience complications leading to death.
- Shelters are at a 97% occupancy rate every night, making it difficult for a majority of individuals to have a place to sleep every night
- 75% of people experiencing homelessness struggle with mental illness
- 29% of the individuals experiencing homelessness are aged 51 or older
- The greatest growth came from refugees, who experienced a 665% increase in homeless since 2013
- The number of deaths of people experiencing homelessness reported for the year of 2020 will be reported as the highest compared to previous years
Stat References:
City of Toronto. “Housing & Homelessness Research & Reports.” City of Toronto, 22 Jan. 2020, www.toronto.ca/city-government/data-research-maps/research-reports/housing-and-homelessness-research-and-reports/.
McGillivray , Kate. “Ontario's Homeless 5 Times More Likely to Die of COVID-19, Study Finds | CBC News.” CBC News, CBC/Radio Canada, 12 Jan. 2021, www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/ontario-s-homeless-5-times-more-likely-to-die-of-covid-19-study-finds-1.5869024.
“TORONTO’S VITAL SIGNS - 02 HOUSING.” VITAL SIGNS REPORT 2019/20, 2020, torontofoundation.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/VitalSigns2019_02_Housing.pdf.