We don't know how it feels to have to cope with the detrimental effects of our dysfunctional societal norms and ideologies on a daily basis. We don't know how it feels to be looked down by society....that humiliating sense of having others think you are apathetic, crazy, unworthy, and incapable. We don't know their story. Help The Homeless educates and mobilizes community members through interacti
ve workshops to become more involved in the struggles against homelessness, fighting hunger, and poor mental health within Peel Region. After obtaining the knowledge and understanding of the struggles that homeless individuals face along with receiving specialized training on how to execute a fundraising event, the volunteers will then exercise their leadership skills and work to collectively execute this event within the community. The donations received from the fundraising event will then be allocated towards creating care kits for the homeless, where volunteers will purchase various products (ie., vitamins, food cards, hygiene products, etc) along with developing pamphlets and information cards on various mental health resources and service within the community, and distribute these kits to those on the streets. This project aims to help provide individuals with basic needs in life, create awareness, support people who are facing challenges related to homelessness, mental health, and fighting hunger. Help The Homeless aims to increase the health and overall quality of life of homeless individuals and work towards developing a healthier community. The Help The Homeless project began when Rebecca Kaushal, an active mental health advocate organized a fundraising event for the homeless population in the Downtown Toronto region last winter. With the help of many generous monetary and product donations, along with the help from numerous volunteers from cross the GTA, Hamilton, and Kitchener-Waterloo regions, she was able to raise a total of $1,671 in just 2.5 weeks! Due to the tremendous success of this project last year, Rebecca has collaborated with the United Way-Peel Region to expand on this initiative and engage even more youth and community members. The United Way is a worldwide nonprofit organization which aims to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action. The United Way has mobilized millions to act, to give, and to volunteer to help increase the quality of life for vulnerable populations within our communities. This organization has assisted numerous other organizations to help with circumventing issues pertaining to poverty, homelessness, and families in crisis. And this year, the United Way has chosen to fund the Help The Homeless project to continue to help the homeless population in the Peel region!
