We See What Most Don't

We see the heartbreaking effects of poverty, homelessness, abuse and addiction every day. And most importantly, we see the people who desperately need support and compassion. For us it's impossible to turn a blind eye to suffering. Last year in Canada The Salvation Army served 2.5 million meals to the hungry, helped 10,000 people with addictions and provided one third of all shelter beds each night. This Christmas we ask you to open your eyes and your heart. And give.

6 Things You Need to Know About Homelessness

1. Homelessness becomes a life-or-death issue in Winter

Humans cannot survive outdoors overnight in temperatures below -15 degrees.
Temporary shelters across Canada sometimes find it necessary to turn people away.

2. Homelessness is a growing problem in Canada

• In Toronto, the City’s first official homeless census counted over 5,000 homeless in the city in 2006.
• In Calgary, 3,436 homeless individuals were counted in 2006, nearly twice the 1,737 from 2002, and dramatically higher than the 447 people identified in the first such study in 1992.
• In Vancouver, a 2005 study showed that the homeless population had nearly doubled since 2002, to over 2,100 people.
• In Edmonton, a 2004 study found that 2,192 homeless were living in the city, up from 836 when the first survey was conducted in 1999.
  

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