The ongoing heatwave is putting stress on community organizations.
Woods Homes, the agency that runs Stepping Stones Youth Services, says they are in desperate need of supplies for their clients.
Bjorne Johansson, CEO of Woods Homes says people living without shelter are 200 times more likely to die during extreme heat than those with shelter.
“When a young person is living inner city without shelter, the heat is literally unbearable,” says Bjorn Johansson, CEO of Wood’s Homes. “Access to a simple cooling kit can provide the essentials that make a person experiencing homelessness’ horrible day into a tolerable one.”
The organization is trying to provide cooling kits containing essential supplies to help people experiencing homelessness find a bit of comfort.
Stepping Stones needs items like bottled water, sunscreen, Gatorade, light clothing for sun protection, personal hygiene products, and granola bars or snacks. They are also asking for footwear like flip-flops, and durable backpacks. Good Samaritans can drop off the much-needed items at 102 McConachie Crescent (Pr. Mick Kon Akee Crescent) any time between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Environment Canada is predicting the extreme heat to last at least another seven days.