/R E P E A T -- Media Advisory - 400 people to walk for The Yonge Street Mission in the Coldest Night of the Year/

TORONTO, Feb. 20, 2016 /CNW/ -

WHAT:	More than 400 people will brave Toronto's cold streets this Saturday, Feb 20, 2016 to raise funds for the hungry, homeless and hurting during the Coldest Night of the Year walk for The Yonge Street Mission.
	As well as Toronto, Coldest Night of the Year walks are taking place in more than 80 communities across the country to raise money and awareness for this issue.
	Participants can walk either two, five or 10 km while experiencing a hint of the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness.
	This is the sixth year that The Yonge Street Mission has been the selected Toronto charity. This year, the Mission's goal is $170,000.
WHERE:	Ryerson University
	Kerr Hall West Gymnasium
	379 Victoria St. (Southeast corner of Yonge St. and Gerrard St.)
WHEN:	Saturday Feb. 20, 2016
	4:00 p.m. (Registration) to 8:00 p.m. (Route closes)
	6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Light meal
QUOTE:	"Our supporters walk the talk on solving homelessness and hunger in Toronto. The funds raised at this event will help renovate the new location on Spadina Ave. for The Yonge Street Mission's Evergreen Centre for Street Youth. When it opens in 2017, the new site will provide the room needed to grow and will be designed with appropriate and dynamic spaces for expanding programming and services. We are so grateful to our walkers for supporting this new space." Angie Draskovic, President and CEO of The Yonge Street Mission.
FACTS:	There are about 6,000 homeless youth in Toronto.

About The Yonge Street Mission
The Yonge Street Mission has worked on the front lines of poverty in Toronto since 1896, assisting as many people as possible to experience full participation in society. The hope, healing, and encouragement that the Mission offers is based solely on individual need, regardless of colour, culture, economic status, gender, religion, sexual orientation or social condition. The Mission supports at-risk people with an intentional focus on nurturing transformation in the lives of individuals and families living with poverty. We build on our successful initiatives to draw people from the margins into the mainstream through stable housing, employment and educational opportunities, and positive social interaction. www.ysm.ca

SOURCE Yonge Street Mission

Sally Ritchie, Manager, Marketing and Communications, 416 929-9614 ext. 4255, 416 807-3086 (Cell), [email protected], www.ysm.ca