Okanagan Home Depot stores launch Orange Door Project fundraising campaign to combat youth homelessness
100 per cent of funds raised throughout the campaign will benefit BGC Okanagan
(July 14, 2021) – The Home Depot Canada Foundation has announced a donation of $50,000 to BGC Okanagan to support initiatives that prevent and help put an end to youth homelessness.
The announcement coincides with the Home Depot Canada Foundation Orange Door Project, the bi-annual customer engagement campaign running in Okanagan Home Depot stores and online.
“Over the last 10-plus years we have been so fortunate to work with our local stores and receiving the exceptional support from the Home Depot Canada Foundation. On behalf of BGC Okanagan and all the youth whose lives you have had an impact on, thank you so much for your support,” said Jeremy Welder, BGC Okanagan CEO.
BGC Okanagan has been the recipient of over $300,000 from the Orange Door Project over the past decade. This funding is to assist with breaking the cycle of inequity and enable at-risk youth facing homelessness to achieve positive development outcomes and realize their full potential.
To show their appreciation, and to remind everyone of what we can accomplish when we work together, BGC Okanagan has painted the door leading to the youth shelter at the Kelowna Downtown Youth Centre Home Depot orange.
“The Home Depot Orange Door funds help us run our shelter where we served 39 youth overnight last year and diverted an additional 19 youth from homelessness. They also help fund the Westside Youth Centre where we served 151 members last year,” said Sarah McKinnon, BGC Okanagan Director of Youth Services. “We are so proud to be partners with the Home Depot Canada Foundation, who care as deeply as we do about giving youth the opportunity to grow up to be healthy, happy, and thriving adults.”
From now until Aug. 1, Home Depot customers in the Okanagan can donate $2 at the checkout of their local store or make a donation online at orangedoorproject.ca in support of BGC Okanagan. Every dollar donated by customers in the Okanagan will stay local.
Funds will go towards improving housing options, supporting life-skills development programs, and investing in research that ensures funding is directed to the most effective solutions designed to help youth build brighter futures.
Learn more at orangedoorproject.ca. Visit bgco.ca for information on the BGC Okanagan-led program Upstream Kelowna, which takes a preventative approach to youth homelessness and school disengagement by connecting youth to supports before crisis hits through early assessment and intervention.
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About BGC Okanagan
Since BGC Okanagan established their first Club in 1959, we have continued to provide vital, life-changing services and programs that continue to adapt to meet the needs of all children, youth and families.
Our mission is to provide a safe, supportive place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships, and develop confidence and skills for life.
Our trained staff and volunteers give children, youth and families the tools to realize positive outcomes in self-expression, academics, healthy living, physical activity, mental health, leadership and more. If a young person needs it, our Club provides it because opportunity changes everything.
About the Home Depot Canada Foundation
The Home Depot Canada Foundation is committed to helping prevent and put an end to youth homelessness in Canada. One in five Canadian’s experiencing homelessness are youth, making youth homelessness one of the most urgent social issues facing Canadians today. Through The Orange Door Project initiatives, The Foundation has pledged $50 million by the end of 2022 to improve housing options, support life-skills development programs, and invest in research that ensures funding is directed to the most effective solutions designed to help youth build brighter futures. For more information, please visit: OrangeDoorProject.ca.
For more information contact:
Kristi Patton
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
BGC Okanagan
C: 250-258-0564
[email protected] | www.bgco.ca