Holidays of Hope

The holiday season is a special time of year; a season of kindness, warmth, and giving. For many young people, it means family traditions, festive gatherings, and even the excitement of opening presents. For the vulnerable youth living in our youth care programs this time of year can look very different. 

Our Holidays of Hope Campaign has been creating positive experiences for the young people in the HomeBridge Community for over 20 years thanks to the generous support of our donors. This year the Canada Post strike threatens to hamper our efforts, even now that it has moved to a rotating strike. Typically, we contact our supporters via mail to remind them of this important campaign and how they can be part of it.  We also receive monetary donations via the mail.  With the postal delays as a result of this strike, we have had to work around this challenge. Together we can still create a meaningful experience for some of the most vulnerable youth in our province and remind them what the season of giving is all about.  We may not be able to replace the experience of celebrating with family, but we do our best to make them feel cared for and valued.  

While we work hard to create a safe and supportive environment, the reality is that these young people are spending the holidays away from their families and often coping with difficult memories and feelings of loss. That is why we start planning early and why every stocking we fill matters so much. It is not just about the treats and gifts inside.  It is about reminding every young person that they are cared for, they matter and they have not been forgotten.  For many, this looks like Christmas stockings filled with goodies, but whatever their culture or traditions are, we want to make the season special, and you can help.

This holiday season we invite you to join us in spreading holiday cheer by making a donation online (click here) or donating stocking stuffers.  With your support, we can make the season brighter for the young people who call our programs home. Together we can create moments of joy and show them that the community is standing beside them with love and generosity.  With a minimum donation of $40 you can purchase a stocking to help ensure every young person wakes up to something just for them on Christmas morning.  The first goal of this campaign is always to fill 36 stockings, but if we surpass that goal we can spread holiday cheer throughout the year.  All money raised will help to create positive experiences for the young people this season, as well as supporting the celebration of other meaningful holidays that reflect various cultures and traditions year-round.

If you would like to donate stocking stuffers please contact Renee Stevens at 902-466-1439 ext 234 or rstevens@homebridgeyouth.ca Santa still delivers even without Canada Post and so can we!

If you would like further information on the Holidays of Hope Campaign or need to make arrangements for stockings to be picked up in December, please contact Renee Stevens at (902) 466-1439 ext 234.  Enclosed you will find a “Stocking Stuffer Suggested Item List” and “Donation Form”.  If you are filling stockings, as you have done in the past, we would like to pick them up by December 12th to ensure our elves have time to sort and deliver gifts throughout the HomeBridge Community. Thank you for considering this special holiday request. Wishing you and your loved ones a warm, joyful Christmas season.