A local non-profit organization has launched its latest fundraiser in an effort to tackle the root causes of homelessness in the community.
The Because We Care CK initiative kicks off on Friday in support of United Way Chatham-Kent, which is raising money for programming that focuses on addressing local homelessness.
Barb Palace, the CEO of United Way Chatham-Kent, said addressing homelessness is a complex issue.
“There are a lot of areas where people struggle and a lot of the causes of homelessness are not simple problems to solve,” she said. “A lot of problems involve mental health, it involves making sure people have access to resources, people have access to actual physical housing. In times of stress, sometimes people have ended up in a situation where substance use is an issue as well. All these things, including poverty, they all tie together. So trying to address one alone is very, very challenging.”
This year, the Because We Care CK initiative is co-chaired by Robb Nelson of Maple City Homes and Alanna Aarrsen of Sacwal Flooring Centres and The Lighting Shoppe.
Palace said it’s important to have local business leaders at the forefront of the initiative because it takes an entire community to make a difference with a multi-layered issue like homelessness.
“It’s really important for a community to look at the issues within itself,” she said.
More than $150,000 was raised during last year’s fundraiser, with the money going towards the opening of the James St. Drop-In Centre in Wallaceburg, new withdrawal management services at the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance, community outreach programs, and local food banks.
“We look at the larger picture to see how we can provide supports and services that will help at least one of those areas, if not several,” said Palace.
Because We Care CK runs from September 16, 2022 until February 28, 2023.
For more information or to donate, click here.
