Pictou County prepares for Coldest Night of the Year
NEW GLASGOW — Roots for Youth is more than an emergency shelter or transitional housing.
Just ask Stacey Dlamini, executive director, who has been working to give youth a hand up whether they find themselves without a roof over their head or just need some advice on how to improve their resume.
The shelter portion of Roots for Youth is, no question, well used. There were only about 20 nights this past year that someone wasn’t staying overnight at the building. But they also offer programming such as the youth employ-ability skills workshops which have been ongoing on Thursdays, or one that’s coming up on ways to be happier. On a daily basis they also hold dropins between 4:30 and 8 p.m. It’s a chance for youth to have a meal, do laundry or simply talk.
The whole goal of the organization, says Dlamini is “to help young people get their lives back on track.”
As they work toward that goal on a daily basis, Dlamini and her two youth workers at Pictou County Roots for Youth are hoping for the community’s support to help them meet their operational finance needs.
Dec. 1 will be the launch of the annual Coldest Night of the Year event. The walk itself will be held on Feb. 22, 2020.
In the past the event has averaged about 350 walkers and around 60 volunteers.
“It’s quite a major thing to organize and implement, but it’s so much fun,” Dlamini said. “It’s a really feel-good event.”
If other years are any indicator, they will have many repeat teams take part, but they’re also hoping to see some new faces this year. People can participate by going to CNOY.org/
NewGlasgow to register for the event. From there, they can send the link to their family and friends to donate with a credit card, or can download a form to collect cash donations. Many churches and businesses as well as just individuals have formed teams in the past and have worked together to make it a success.
Last year’s event was the most successful to date, bringing in a total of just over $54,000.
Dlamini hopes that they will be able to replicate that success this year so they can continue offering the services and programs that they do.
Already they’ve had the East Coast Credit Union come on as a lead sponsor which enables the Roots for Youth to start with $5,000 already raised.
“That makes us feel good and hopefully bodes well for the rest of the campaign.”
The minimum individuals are asked to raise to take part is $25.
“We’d love to equal or better our goal from last year,” Dlamini said.