More Friday reflections - the arrival of winter

Winter has arrived this week and it has significant impact on individuals who have been staying outside and organizations who are providing emergency winter shelter.  It's -10^oC and there is a biting wind. 

Both Inn From The Cold (Newmarket) and MOSAIC Out of the Cold (southern York Region) are up and running providing additional emergency winter shelter beds - although there is still one night (Tuesday) when there is no emergency winter shelter until January.  These programs supplement the permanent emergency shelter beds that are provided by Blue Door Shelters, (East Gwillimbury and Newmarket) the Salvation Army Sutton Youth Shelter (Georgina) and Sandgate emergency and transitional shelter for women and children who are fleeing abusive relationships (Georgina and Richmond Hill) and Yellow Brick House (Aurora).  Inn From the Cold and Out of the Cold are run essentially with hundreds of volunteers and limited paid staff support, from mid November to April. 

 I would like to think that we can build a broad groundswell of support for change.  We need many voices and commitment to address issues of poverty and homelessness in York Region.  Please join us in this work.