{"id":5159,"date":"2022-08-21T21:00:45","date_gmt":"2022-08-22T01:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bluedoor.ca\/?p=5159"},"modified":"2023-08-03T16:02:19","modified_gmt":"2023-08-03T20:02:19","slug":"doors-unlocked-free-family-event-celebrates-blue-door-milestone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bluedoor.ca\/doors-unlocked-free-family-event-celebrates-blue-door-milestone\/","title":{"rendered":"Doors Unlocked, free family event, celebrates Blue Door milestone"},"content":{"rendered":"

Posted: August 21st, 2022. By: Newmarket Today Staff, newmarkettoday.ca, Original Article.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Blue Door invites the community to enjoy music, barbecue, art, auctions Saturday, Aug. 27\u00a0at Aurora Town Park and Armoury<\/strong><\/div>\n
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Often hidden and out of sight, homelessness is an ongoing crisis in York Region. Every day, roughly 1,500 individuals are sleeping on the streets, in tents, couch surfing, or sleeping in cars \u2013 roughly 1,500 people don\u2019t have a safe place to call home or lay their head tonight.<\/p>\n

Forty years ago, Blue Door made a change. They opened their doors as the first emergency housing provider in York Region for men and continue to remain the only emergency housing provider for men.<\/p>\n

Over the years, Blue Door has grown to become York Region\u2019s largest emergency housing provider, driven by its vision of creating a region where everyone has safe, affordable, and supportive housing.<\/p>\n

Daniele Zanotti, president and CEO of United Way Greater Toronto, expressed his gratitude for the Blue Door. \u201cFor 40 years, Blue Door has changed lives in York Region \u2013 helping people and families move from emergency shelter to housing to homes to hope. We have been proud to partner with this nimble, forward-thinking organization and look forward to continuing to work together for decades to come – ensuring everyone has a safe, affordable home.\u201d<\/p>\n

In the past five years, Blue Door has rapidly expanded to meet the ever-pressing needs of our community\u2019s most vulnerable. Focusing on the root causes of homelessness and breaking down barriers to housing, health, and meaningful employment.<\/p>\n

\u201cBlue Door provides housing for youth, families, and men in our rapidly changing and urbanizing communities. As life\u2019s challenges become more difficult and more complex, we need the services and expertise of Blue Door now more than ever,\u201d says the Mayor of Newmarket, John Taylor. \u201cI am grateful that Blue Door is part of our community and grateful that they have served our community for 40 years. Every person has a right to safe and dignified housing and Blue Door is at the forefront of fulfilling that need and that right. Thank you, and\u00a0congratulations\u00a0Blue Door on 40 years of service.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although Blue Door has saved the lives of thousands of people in the last 40\u00a0years, the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis are disproportionately affecting people on the brink of or experiencing homelessness. These are our neighbours who have lost jobs, have weakened immune systems from skipping meals to save money, and were forced to give up their house and sleep in their car.<\/p>\n

Your community needs your support!<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

\u201cAs Blue Door embarks on its 40th year of service to the community, it\u2019s a good time to not only reflect on the thousands of lives changed and saved, but on what can be accomplished when a talented and passionate group of staff work together,\u201d says Blue Door\u2019s CEO, Michael Braithwaite. \u201cOur community partners, volunteers, faith communities, funders and supporters continue to make this work possible and inspire us on our journey to prevent and end homelessness. While our work is not done, I have no doubt that in working together, we can and will end homelessness.\u201d<\/p>\n

To acknowledge this incredible community of supporters and encourage everyone to be part of the solution, Blue Door will be marking its\u00a040th anniversary by hosting\u00a0Doors Unlocked<\/a>, a free, family-friendly afternoon in the park sponsored by Enbridge.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt Enbridge Gas, it’s more than just the energy we deliver, it’s the energy we put in. We\u2019re committed to supporting our communities in being healthy, vibrant places to live,\u201d said Steve McGivery, Director, GTA East Operations, Enbridge Gas. \u201cThese past two years during the pandemic, more than any in recent memory, underscore the importance of having a safe and secure place to live, sleep, share time with family\u2026 and for many, to work and even attend school. We were honoured to work with Blue Door on this powerful fundraising initiative and celebrate its 40-year commitment to ending homelessness in York Region.\u201d<\/p>\n

Blue Door is inviting community members to attend Doors Unlocked on Saturday, Aug. 27\u00a0at Aurora Town Park and The Armoury from 4 to 8 p.m, to help mark this important milestone.<\/p>\n

Unwind at Doors Unlocked while listening to live local music from The Beresfords, MishE, and Yellow Magnolia while enjoying a tasty free barbecue.\u00a0The event will also feature interactive art, auctions, a scavenger hunt, and the opportunity to hear from lived experts as they share their experiences with homelessness and Blue Door.<\/p>\n

There are many ways to get involved in Doors Unlocked and help your community\u2019s most vulnerable:<\/p>\n