RENFREW COUNTY (Renfrew) —On Friday, March 6, staff and family members from Family and Children’s Services of Renfrew County, with the support of the Renfrew Fire Department, spent the night outdoors to raise awareness of the growing issue of youth homelessness in Renfrew County.
The small, grassroots initiative, Sleep-Out for Safe Shelter, was inspired by the many sleep-out events held across Canada, including Arnprior’s One Cold Night – a fundraiser organized by local homelessness advocate Tracy Smith. As of Friday, participants in the sleep-out had raised over $3,000 for Renfrew County Safe Shelter for Youth – a partnership program led by Family and Children’s Services of Renfrew County and supported by Columbus House, United Way East Ontario and The Phoenix Centre for Children and Families to support area youth who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
“There is a misconception that youth homelessness in Renfrew County doesn’t exist because it’s not seen”, said event organizer Steven Nicholls, Family and Children’s Services of Renfrew County. “Youth who are homeless in Renfrew County are often couch surfing, spending days in warm public places and sleeping outdoors in obscure places, like under bridges or in isolated areas”.
For the participants of Sleep-Out for Safe Shelter, spending a winter night outdoors in cardboard boxes was an experience they will not forget. Not only for the cold and discomfort, but also for experiencing firsthand what many youth with no place to go have to do.
Since its inception in 2015, Renfrew County Safe Shelter for Youth (RCCSFY) has supported over 180 youth across the county who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. In 2019 alone, the program assisted 41 local youth. This includes helping them find safe, affordable housing, ensuring physical needs like food and clothing are met and connecting them with their community and local agencies for the support they need to achieve independent living.
“Sixty per cent of the homeless youth supported by Renfrew County Safe Shelter for Youth have found longer-term housing as program residents of Columbus House Pembroke,” said Nicholls. “In 2020, we hope to build on this number by securing more local short-term and long-term housing options.”
One of the ways the program is doing this is via its new Home Host initiative. Many of the youth who need a place to live may be experiencing conflict with family members, striving to cope with an addiction or facing mental health challenges. Through the Renfrew County Safe Shelter for Youth Home Host program, community members with an extra room in their home or a vacant apartment are being invited to apply as a Home Host.
Family and Children’s Services of Renfrew County would like to extend a special thanks to Renfrew County Social Services for their support with Sleep-Out for Safe Shelter, including donations of care packages for youth experiencing homelessness in Renfrew County. FCSRC is also grateful to its Board Chair, Mike Noon, for choosing to participate in the initiative, supporting visits from Mayor of Renfrew, Don Eady, and Mayor of Algona/Wilberforce, James Brose, and all of the community members who made a donation and dropped by Sleep-Out for Safe Shelter to learn more about the issue of youth homelessness in Renfrew County.
To donate to Renfrew County Safe Shelter for Youth or apply as a Home Host, please call 613-735-6866. More information about Renfrew County Safe Shelter for Youth can also be found at www.fcsrenfrew.on.ca.
Photo submitted. FCS’ Rachel Merrick sleeps out with her family in the March 6 Sleep-Out for Safe Shelter. 
Photo submitted.Youth participants of Sleep-Out for Safe Shelter visit with Renfrew Mayor, Don Eady.
