Root cause
New Glasgow’s Coldest Night of the Year walk will support Pictou County Roots for Youth, an organization which operates a shelter and is dedicated to helping young people end their homelessness.
It is not easy predicting winter weather but it is safe to say Saturday, Feb. 22 will be the Coldest Night of the Year in New Glasgow and in cities across Canada. CNOY is a not-for-profit national organization that raises money for “charities serving hungry, homeless and hurting people in our communities.” Fundraising walks will be held coast to coast in 100 communities with the local walk in support of Pictou County Roots for Youth which operates a shelter, a transition home and a drop-in program while also offering a variety of related services for struggling youth aged 16 to 24. Companies, churches, schools, service clubs and families are already organizing and registering teams to take part in two-, five- and 10-kilometre fundraising walks. “It is our only fundraiser of the year so it is a very big night for us. Last year we had more than 300 walkers and we hope to match that again this year,” said Roots for Youth executive director Stacey Dlamini. Last year’s walk raised $50,00, all of which was used locally. “It is really beneficial for us, as a program in a much smaller centre, to be part of a national organization,” said Dlamini. The New Glasgow walk begins at Christian Fellowship Church, 489 Abercrombie Rd. The shortest walk goes from the church to Sobeys Westside and back, while the five-kilometre goes to Glasgow Square, up Archimedes Street and back to the church and the 10-kilometre consists of doing the five-kilometre twice. “We’ll have a lot of volunteers at the church, helping to get everybody organized. We’ll send the walkers out in their new CNOY hats and when they finish up they all come back to the church for a hot meal prepared by volunteers.” Dlamini said the money raised by the walk is invaluable but the turnout of local people, all ages and from all walks of life, is extremely encouraging. “Between our wonderful sponsors and the general public, I think it demonstrates there is a really strong interest in getting young people who are facing adversity through some very difficult years.” During 2019, Roots for Youth helped 30 young people end their homelessness. “When youth are on their own and homeless it is precipitated by something pretty cataclysmic. Something really major has happened for them to be separated from their families,” said Dlamini. Wherever possible, Roots for Youth will facilitate reconciliation with family. “If you have a home where anybody cares about you, that is a better setup than we have to offer so family reconciliation is one of our goals. Obviously, if there is a safety or security issue it may not be possible but in most cases we try to re-establish a tie with someone in the family.” Roots for Youth also strives to connect youth to the best available services in the community. “It might be mental health or addiction services or it might be affordable housing or help to find employment. We’ll go with the young person to medical or other appointments if that is needed and it often is because you can imagine some appointments can be very stressful.” As the only youth shelter in northern Nova Scotia, Roots for Youth has been getting referrals from social workers and police in other areas. Summer Murphy is a youth worker at Roots for Youth and Sean MacLean is the program’s youth outreach worker. “We’d like to be able to help everyone who needs help but our shelter is not a clinical mental health unit. We’re not a detox centre and we’re not a rehabilitation or treatment centre for youth with addictions. But there are young people who need shelter and support and we can definitely can help, especially if they are motivated to improve their situations,” said MacLean. Like MacLean, Murphy is relatively new to the social services field. “It breaks your heart when you hear someone has been sleeping under a transport truck and you want to solve all the problems but you have to assess what you can do and what services you can tap into locally. We’re always hoping we can pull together enough supports to give somebody a new start.” The program’s drop-in centre is operated largely by volunteers and it runs 365 days a year, including Christmas Day when a full traditional meal was available. “We used to have 25 volunteers and we’re down to about 15 so we could definitely use more help. We provide orientation and opportunities to shadow other volunteers until you are comfortable. The most important qualification is having the heart to help vulnerable young people on their journey,” said Dlamini, adding the list of volunteers runs the gamut from college and university students to retired professionals. MacLean noted the drop-in program offers a variety of assistance and support. “You can come in, relax and socialize, have a hot meal. If you have been a resident of the shelter previously, it is a way of staying in touch and getting the extra support that is often needed.” For some young people, the needs can be very basic, added Murphy. “First off, it is a place to come in for a while and get warm. You can do your laundry, use the internet, get a shower, get some dry socks or pick up some needed toiletries,” she said. Dlamini believes the dropin program provides something even more important. “It is contact with a caring adult, someone you can talk to, someone you can plan your next step with. The drop-in is also here if you’ve tried to be independent but the wheels fell off for one reason or another and you need to step back and find a way to regroup in a supportive place.” During February the Roots for Youth staff is working with young people on something called the Happiness Project. “We’re talking to young people about the practices of connection, attitude, mindfulness, resiliency, meaning and gratitude. Through these practices you can learn how to build your own happiness,” said Dlamini Roots for Youth is also advertising on its Facebook page for a responsible student or employed female to fill the position of support worker at a New Glasgow transition house. It offers free rent for some supervisory and support duties. Teams or individuals wanting more information, to register for the walk, to donate a few hours at the walk or to donate are directed to the national website, cnoy.org. Dlamini said everyone is welcome at the walk but family pets cannot go into the church. “It is a very family-oriented walk but there is this one stipulation for insurance purposes only.” Rosalie MacEachern is a Stellarton resident and freelance writer. She seeks out people who work behind the scenes on hobbies or jobs that they love the most. If you know someone you think she should profile in an upcoming article, she can be reached at rosaliemaceachern4@gmail.com.