Kit Developed for Children to Explain the Homeless Crisis and Raise Funds for Emergency Shelters – Halifax | The Canadian News

The homeless crisis is drawing the attention of the children of Halifax. Halifax Mutual Aid and the advertising agency Shortstop are launching a fundraiser to help the homeless as well as parents who want to explain the housing crisis to their children.

Campbell McClintock, a spokesperson for Halifax Mutual Aid, says the idea came after people started reaching out to them asking how to have constructive conversations with their children.

“Children are seeing the housing crisis all around us. They are seeing people living and sleeping in tents even in several feet of snow. Parents wanted a front door to talk to their kids about it. “

“Children intuitively know that these people deserve support and we, as caring and generous maritimers, must use our voice to make sure these people have a home for the winter.”

The initiative includes the sale of a kit that includes a small picture book for children. It can be purchased online for $ 15. Of that, $ 10 will go directly to Mutual Aid to build emergency shelters. According to McClintock, shelters cost about $ 1,100.

In August, some of the ground shelters were removed from the old city library on Spring Garden Road. The protesters were arrested and there were reports of assault by the Halifax Regional Police.

McClintock says that won’t be a concern with the new Halifax Mutual Aid-funded shelters, as the organization has developed relationships with private landowners “who are willing to host shelters and also have an excellent relationship with the shelter occupants.”

“Since it is December, and people want to be generous during the holidays, with the extreme weather, we have to consider the people who live outside in such cold conditions. We should enjoy each other and enjoy our families on vacation, but think of the 100 people out there. and bring them inside. Let’s make this our goal. “

Kits can be purchased online at holidayshelters.com.