Paul Davis Ottawa staff worked hard to support Raising the Roof and its annual Toque Campaign as thousands of volunteers and supporters provide long-term solutions to homelessness in Canada. The Paul Davis office proudly sponsors the campaign which provides programs and services to the homeless. During this time, Paul Davis partnered with Operation Come Home during a unique fundraiser that included spending 24 hours on the streets and out in the cold on January 26 to help build awareness about homelessness in
According to Darren Green, Paul Davis office owner, on January 26, the temperature was -2 degrees C in
The event was planned by Operation Come Home whose mission targets youth who are caught in the middle of participating in most social services. The young people may be too young for adult programs and too old for children’s aid and or foster care. “Young people’s lives could be a reality lived to the fullest on the street, in the elements with snow, wind, cold, damp, and darkness, in a nether world that carries on in the night while the city sleeps,” said Green.
Paul Davis Ottawa was represented by a hearty team of six staffers who volunteered to brave the elements including Sue Clusiau, who wanted to step into the shoes of a young homeless person for a night to see what she might be able to do to help. Jordan White also participated to support the cause while exuberantly jumping into the effort with everything he had to offer. Darren Green, his wife Angel, along with their 15 year old son Kyle and 12 year old daughter Emma huddled together, shivered together, and froze together while eventually celebrating the success of living on the street for 24 hours.
“It was a long 24 hours,” said Green. “From
“It was all worth it,” said Green. “And, an eye opener to a harsh reality for my family that caused us to realize how fortunate we are and that we have other options in our lives, whereas some of these young people don’t have any choices at all,” he said. “We were caught up in a deep freeze and chilled, and most certainly felt grateful that we chose this year where it was -2 as opposed to two years ago when the night temperature dropped to a deathly -38 degrees. I can’t imagine us surviving that and it’s heartbreaking to understand there are some young people who get caught without any options left.”
“Our goal was to help raise the awareness about the huge gap in our social programs and in doing so, we managed to collect a few dollars along the way to contribute to some of these important programs,” Green added. “Hopefully we helped raise the profile of Operation Come Home a little higher and can make an even bigger impact next year.”
Operation Come Home is a registered charitable organization that serves as an employment, education, and support centre for homeless and at-risk youth age 16 and up. Through programs and services, young people are encouraged to develop personal growth. Since 1971, Operation Come Home works with street-involved youth in
Additionally, during Raising the Roof Toque Tuesday, on February 7, the Paul Davis team will sell toques and merchandise for the prevent homelessness campaign at Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Ave. West from
The Paul Davis office serves customers in Ottawa and surrounding communities with emergency services, restoration, repairs, reconstruction, and remodelling, to name a few. The office is located at
