Yorkton is a smaller city, so the homelessless is a bit more hidden. You're not seeing people walking around with signs asking for change, but it is here. Many people mistakenly see homelessness as the sole domicile of those that “don't want to work” – but the truth is that many people who are homeless do actually have jobs – it just isn't enough to pay the bills. Getting a job that pays a higher wage is also something that is easier said than done. Some people are from broken homes, trying to escape abuse; some have simply fallen on hard times.
Coldest Night helps raise funds to pay for food and other basics to assist people in getting back on their feet, and dozens of supporters were out in droves on Saturday to raise awareness and funds. The 5k walk began at St. Paul Lutheran Church, then toward the Gallagher Centre and back again.
“Coldest Night of the Year Walk for Homelessness happens all across Canada,” says Glenda Gacho, Board Chair, Transitional Homes for Youth.
“This is a national event. So every city that signs up walks on the same day, follows all the same processes, and, of course, whoever the host is in that city retains the benefit from the donations that are coming. The walk itself is pretty simple. We start here at our church; we walk all the way to Kahkewistahaw gas station and back – and that's five kilometres. Then, when the walk is over, we come back here, have some chili, hot coffee and some fellowship opportunities. It's also an opportunity for us to let them know how much we appreciate them, so we acknowledge everyone.
“The walk itself is to raise funds for Yorkton Transitional Homes for Youth, and we specifically are an outreach program. So our outreach program consists of Monday to Friday and we have two individuals on staff that go and help out those in our community that need some help – whether it be with some groceries; sometimes they just need a ride to go get groceries – to the bank, or things like that. So we try to be out in the community and we want to ensure – because that's the one thing we don't get funding for – we get funding to cover the salaries for those positions, but we don't get any dollars for actual food. That's what we're focusing on this year, because we're noticing – even the Salvation Army – that there just aren't enough resources for people who really do need the help.
“As far as homelessness here in Yorkton, we refer to it within our organization as the hidden homeless,” Gacho explains.
“Those are citizens who can't afford to pay their rent, and all their bills and feed themselves. Most of our hidden homeless are people that are 'couch surfing'. Those are the groups that are going from friend to friend to friend until they wear out their welcome. So there's never a solid place to call home, and of course there's no support services as well. If you do need a ride, or see a doctor, or what have you, they don't have the money to do those things. People always make sure their rent is paid first so, they have a home, but the bigger piece is they can't make it. They don't have enough money for food. And quality food. Good food. Not just junk. I mean, you can eat real cheap at Burger King I'm sure, but it's not good for you. So that's what we have. We also have a number of senior citizens as well that are clients of ours.
“Homelessness doesn't discriminate. There is no discrimination when it comes to homelessness. It can be young people [or] senior citizens. The bottom line is the cost of living, and everything's gone up. Groceries have gone up. Bills go up. Taxes. You name it. So there's just not enough to go around. That's what it looks like for us here in Yorkton. You don't see them sitting on street corners with little signs saying, 'Five dollars'. If you drive to Regina, you'll see it because there's more of them. Here in Yorkton, because we're smaller, they don't want people to know that they're struggling because it encourages their own self esteem to go down. They try very hard to hide it. That's why we call it the hidden homeless.”
SIGN was a sponsor, as well as D.R. Auto, YFFA, Wagner's Flooring, Schrader's Honda Yamaha Suzuki, Parrish and Heimbecker, TA Foods, Potzus Ltd., BG Denture Clinic, Grain Millers, Parkland College, and many others.
Parkland College was not only a sponsor, they had a walking team right there! Team Parkland consisted of Sharon Rurak, the Team Captain, Brittany Frick, Amy Poole, Malena Vroom and one other walker.
If you missed the walk, but still want to help out, you can visit https://cnoy.org/location/yorkton or contact 306.783.2340 or email executivedirector@ythyinc.ca.
