Orange Doors

When The Home Depot Canada Foundation entered the battle against youth homelessness in 2014 we knew it was going to have an impact, but we never would have predicted more than a decade of support that has totaled well over $100,000.  Their commitment to effecting change is impressive to say the least.

Our friends at the Dartmouth Crossing location just keep knocking it out of the park with their in-store fundraising.  The latest Orange Door Campaign ran from May 12^th through June 14^th and HomeBridge was once again the beneficiary of everything raised by the team at that location.  Our friends in orange aprons invited customers to purchase an Orange Door at the checkout for $3, $5, or $10.  They also worked with us to put on a BBQ as part of the campaign and had many other in store incentives and initiatives.  Their efforts resulted in nearly $6,000 being raised during the 34-day campaign.

This money will be used to support Recreation Therapy programming for the young people who live in the HomeBridge Community.  The youth love these outings, but there is much more behind each activity than simply fun and games.  Our Recreation Therapist works with each young person and their Youth Care Team to make an individual activity plan that focuses on their strengths and goals.  Healing, life-skill building, and increased confidence and self-esteem are always among the goals.  Taking a young person indoor rock climbing, for example, helps them focus, learn to trust, take risks in a safe and controlled environment, and boost their self-confidence.  Getting them involved in a community sport helps them build a sense of belonging and community, and teaches them team work and communication.  All of the activities planned for the young people are as meaningful as they are fun and they all help us work towards the goal of successful independent living for the young people when they move on from our care.  This is an important step in battling youth homelessness and we are incredibly grateful that the Home Depot are as invested in this goal as we are.

Young people are the fastest rising sector of Canada’s homeless population and youth-in-care are among the highest at risk.  This is not a problem that will be solved over night, but it is one that we are committed to battling and our efforts are far stronger thanks to the support of The Home Depot Canada Foundation and the team at The Home Depot Dartmouth Crossing.  Thank you to the dedicated employees who acted as fundraisers and ambassadors for HomeBridge during this campaign and to every customer who purchased an Orange Door.  We may not be able to change what has happened to the young people before they come to be in our care, but thanks to your support, we are able to create positive experiences and opportunities that will change their future.