Residents in Norfolk are being invited to support youth and those experiencing homelessness by participating in the annual Coldest Night of the Year Walk, organized locally by Youth Unlimited.
We spoke with Dan Avey from Youth Unlimited about the organization’s long-standing work in the community and the walk’s role in raising awareness.
Youth Unlimited has been part of the community for more than 30 years, originally working with teens on the streets and now offering programs that help all young people reach their potential.
The organization operates multiple sites, including a youth center across from Simcoe’s high school, where students can attend lunch and after-school programs, as well as a teaching center that runs Teen Link programs and distributes food and clothing to those in need.
Avey says the Loaves and Stitches program provides immediate help to those struggling, and seeing the gratitude from people who visit is a powerful reminder of why the work matters.
The Coldest Night of the Year Walk is now in its seventh year locally and takes place on February 28.
Avey goes over the route this year and why it was selected.
Avey emphasizes that the walk is family-friendly, offering 2K and 5K options where people can go at their own pace, enjoy time with friends, and visibly show solidarity with those in need.
For Avey, having Youth Unlimited set up in Downtown Simcoe, and having the walk going through, is important to him as Downtown has always been a focus for the organization.
He believes that attention and care given to Downtown Simcoe can help alleviate many problems.
To learn more about The Coldest Night of the Year, click here.