We’re now starting our second winter without our longtime downtown community centre. And although okimaw peyesew kamik is slated to open later in 2025, right now we’re focused on supporting our community through the coming cold months.
Visit our Ways to Give page to support us today.
The challenges facing our community have never been greater. Last year, our city saw a significant increase in frostbite cases and amputations due to extreme cold exposure – and this year even more people are experiencing homelessness.
At Boyle Street, we're stepping up with an innovative and robust winter response to meet these unprecedented challenges head-on.
Our commitment is to meet people where they are, providing critical support to those who need it most during winter and beyond.
Our Winter Response Plan
Tier 1: December 1 – March 30
Warming Gear at All Sites: All our locations are stocked with essential warming items like blankets, gloves, and hats.
Snacks and Hot Beverages: Providing nourishment and warmth to those who drop in.
Safe Transportation Support: Our staff assist community members in accessing safe transportation to shelters or services.
Tier 2: Activates at –20°C with Wind Chill
Emergency Response Teams (ERT): Deployed when temperatures plummet, our teams are on the ground at key locations.
Vehicle-Based Outreach: Our teams take to the streets, bringing warmth and supplies directly to those who can't reach our sites.
Meeting People Where They Are: This approach ensures no one is left out in the cold, literally saving lives during extreme weather conditions.
In addition to these efforts, we continue providing warming buses across the city. These buses offer more than just a place to warm up—they provide food, winter clothing, and a space for our staff to create meaningful connections with individuals who may not otherwise access our services. Our mobile supports are an innovative response to the increased displacement of our neighbours experiencing homelessness.
How Your Donations Make a Difference Right Now
Our outreach vehicles are more than just transportation—they're lifelines. With the rising cost of gas, your support is critical. Donations directly fuel these vehicles, enabling us to reach vulnerable individuals scattered throughout the city. Every dollar you give can mean the difference between warmth and frostbite for someone in need.
Your donations also allow us to increase staffing capacity when temperatures plunge past –20°C. They help us provide bus tickets so individuals can safely reach shelters or services. And at each of our sites, your support supplies soup, snacks, and winter clothing directly to those who need it most.
Beyond Emergency Response
Even outside of extreme conditions, the winter months are the most challenging for our year-round programs:
Street Outreach Teams: Braving all weather to connect people living rough with lifesaving services.
24/7 Crisis Diversion Team: Operating around the clock to transport individuals to safe places, playing a crucial role in decriminalizing poverty, mental health crises, and addiction.
Streetworks Teams: Continuing essential harm reduction work, including health services, overdose prevention, and sexual health services.
How You Can Support Us
Your support is vital. Here's how you can make a tangible difference:
Holiday Giving: Help us meet urgent needs and provide services that are grounded in dignity, innovation, and healing.
Emergency Response Fund (ERF): Enables swift action during emergencies like extreme weather. Join our partners at Chandos as they match the first $10,000—doubling your impact!
Host a Fundraiser: Engage your community in supporting neighbours and building a better city together.
Sponsor a Meal: Participate in our meal sponsorship program, providing warm meals in a welcoming environment. Sharing food fosters joy and connection during tough times.
Innovative Ways to Give: Consider gifts of securities, including us in your will, or donating life insurance policies, real estate, RRSPs, and RRIFs.
Your generosity ensures that our neighbours stay warm, safe, and secure through the holiday season and beyond.
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