YWCA raising money for “Coldest Night of the Year” campaign

The YWCA is hoping a lot of people have their walking shoes ready and aren’t afraid of the cold as they launch the Coldest Night of the Year fundraising campaign.

The campaign is focusing on families this year, and the money raised will go to “My Aunt’s Place”, Regina’s only shelter specifically for women with children.

Melissa Coomber-Bendtsen is the CEO of Regina’s YWCA. She explained that My Aunt’s Place will use the money for programs to help women navigate the support networks available to them.

“We help women who may be getting an eviction notice access the right services so that they don’t lose their place, but they can advocate for themselves.”

There is quite a need for these services in the city, Coomber-Bendtsen said the shelter had to turn away 2,000 mothers and children last year because there wasn’t enough space.

Along with trying to raise $45,000 this year, the campaign is also meant to raise awareness of the problem that mothers with children face when they’re homeless, which is usually hidden.

“For example, if a woman has two bus tickets and she has to choose to go to work or choose to take her children to the doctor or choose to take her children to the food bank.”

For the next month the YWCA will be raising money and signing up walkers, then on Feb. 23, the walkers will walk a two, five, or ten kilometres route through Regina’s Downtown and Heritage neighbourhoods.

People wishing to donate can sponsor a person who’s signed up to walk the route online, they can also sign up to walk online as well.