Until June 24, customers who purchase a $2 paper orange door at The Home Depot Canada’s Prince George store will contribute to Prince George Native Friendship Centre Society’s efforts to assist at-risk and homeless youth across Canada. Funds raised will help provide a wide variety of programs and services specifically designed to help youth aged 13-18.
“Every night in neighbourhoods across the country more than 6,000 youth don’t have a safe place to call home,” said Jeff Kinnaird, chair, board of directors, The Home Depot Canada Foundation and president, The Home Depot Canada, in a news release. “That is why 100 per cent of every customer donation goes directly to helping youth impacted by this very serious issue. Thanks to the support of our communities, we’re helping vulnerable and homeless youth realize brighter futures, one orange door at a time.”
Friendship Home is a residential group home primarily for Aboriginal youth aged 13-18 who are in government care. It provides a wide variety of programs and services specifically designed and delivered to meet the needs of urban Aboriginal people. These include social and health programs, education and employment programs and economic development training. At capacity, the home hosts six youth for long-term support
Research has demonstrated that the longer a young person remains homeless, the worse their health and well-being become, and the more likely they are to experience exploitation, trauma and addictions, drop out of school and become entrenched in street life.
Customers can also make online donations at www.orangedoorproject.ca.