TORONTO, Feb. 6, 2015 /CNW/ - To make funding decisions that reflect the reality of youth homelessness, The Home Depot Canada Foundation recently sought the guidance of The Street Youth Planning Collaborative – Youth Leaders Committee (SYPC YLC) and Art Forms Youth Advisory Council; together selecting four, cross-country recipient organizations who will receive funding on Feb. 6, 2015 from the Foundation's new program – The Orange Door Award.
The SYPC YLC and Art Forms commit to having the voices of youth with lived experience incorporated into community planning and mobilized to help inform program's funding. "Integrating the voices of youth lends to the creation of solutions on how we can help put an end to youth homelessness." said Bill Lennie, chair, board of directors, The Home Depot Canada Foundation and president, The Home Depot Canada. "By working with youth advisory groups, we gain valuable insight on how best to support projects and programs that are meaningful to homeless and vulnerable youth."
As part of The Home Depot Canada Foundation's three-year, $10-million pledge to help end youth homelessness, The Orange Door Award recognizes non-profit organizations that provide creative, innovative and impactful support programs around youth engagement. Each of the four winners will receive $25,000 in funding to support and grow these programs across Canada.
"The youth appreciated having the opportunity to be part of the key decision-making activities with the Home Depot Canada Foundation," said Erika Morton, social planner, Social Planning and Research Council of Hamilton, facilitator of SYPC YLC. "They were excited to share what they had learned about the diversity of programs across Canada and applauded the initiative of the Home Depot Canada Foundation to have engaged youth advisors in their awards program."
Recipients of The Orange Door Award include:
- Grande Prairie Youth Emergency Shelter Society (Grande Prairie, AB)
- Nanaimo Youth Services Association (Nanaimo, BC)
- Supportive Housing in Peel – Peel Youth Village (Mississauga, ON)
- YES Shelter for Youth and Families (Peterborough, ON)
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. Over the next three years, through The Orange Door Project initiative, the Foundation has pledged $10-million 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
SOURCE The Home Depot Canada
To coordinate a media interview or photo opportunity, please contact: Emily DiCarlo, Public Relations Specialist, The Home Depot Canada, 416-412-4142 / Mobile 647-539-9059 / [email protected]
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