Thursday, May 28 – Thursday, July 2, 2015 
The Home Depot® Canada Foundation’s fundraising campaign directs 100 per cent of funds raised to local youth-serving organizations
TORONTO, ON (May 28, 2015) – As part of its commitment to help end youth homelessness in Canada, The Home Depot® Canada Foundation launched its annual The Orange Door Project fundraising campaign today, which collects $2 donations from customers and gives 100 per cent of the proceeds to local youth-serving organizations.
Customers shopping in the Victoria Saanich and Victoria Langford Home Depot store[s] can donate $2 at the checkout in exchange for a (paper) Orange Door. One hundred per cent of proceeds stay in the community and go to support the housing and life-skills development programs at Threshold Housing Society. The campaign runs until July 2, 2015.
Threshold Housing Society provides transitional housing to youth who have been abandoned, are escaping violence or are leaving foster care. They operate two programs: one that employs a semi-independent model and the other is a supported independent model. Both housing programs are augmented by a life-skills program called “self-worthshops.” This program aims to build self-esteem by lessening the effects of trauma through intense youth engagement with emphasis on inclusion and connection. Once stabilized, youth receive the resources they require to complete their education, job training or seek employment until they are ready to transition to full independence.
“Every night in Canada, more than 6,000 youth don’t have a safe place to call home,” said Bill Lennie, chair, board of directors, The Home Depot Canada Foundation and president, The Home Depot Canada. “We believe this has to change. Our associates are passionate about this cause and together with our customers and local, youth-serving charities; we can give vulnerable youth opportunities for a brighter future.”
Quick Facts
- Youth are one of the fastest growing segments of the homeless population in Canada
- One in five shelter users in Canada are youth, ages 16 to 24
- The male to female ratio in youth shelters is 2:1
- 41 to 43 per cent of youth experiencing homelessness were in foster care or group homes
- Youth who successfully leave the streets within two years or less are more likely to make a healthy transition to adulthood – making an intervention early is key to solving the problem.
About The Home Depot Canada Foundation:
The Home Depot Canada Foundation is committed to putting an end to youth homelessness in Canada. On any given night, more than 6,000 young people are without a place to call home, making youth homelessness one of the most urgent social issues facing Canadians today. Through The Orange Door Project initiative, the Foundation has made a three-year, $10-million pledge to support renovation and repair projects and programs that provide vulnerable youth with access to safe, stable housing and support services. For more information, please visit: www.homedepot.ca/foundation