Encampment Response Service

CAEH has been challenged by a generous donor to raise $100,000 by December 31st. Every dollar we raise will be matched. Can you help us hit the goal? Donate here. 

STORY OF ELIZABETH HAZEL:

Every time I go downtown, I’m reminded why this work matters so much. 

I’m a survivor of the poisoned drug supply crisis, and I’ve lived without knowing where I was going to fall asleep at night. Unlike so many who are out in the rain, snow, and freezing temperatures tonight, I was lucky enough to have a friend let me crash in their bed while they slept on the couch for a few nights. When I got my social assistance cheque, it was enough to rent a room and start getting back on my feet. 

That was back in 2015. Today, it’s effectively impossible to rent a private room, let alone a studio apartment, if you’re living off Canada’s social safety net. Homelessness would have been my inevitable outcome if I had gone through the same struggles today. 

When I see someone shivering in the rain or snow, I know that could be me. That is why I not only work at the Canadian Alliance to End Homelessness, but why I also make a personal monthly donation too. 

Everyone deserves to live with dignity, safety, and a place to call home, especially those who are suffering the way I was when I lost my health, my job, my marriage, my home, and my sense of self-worth. We deserve safety at our most vulnerable, not just when we are thriving.  

I’m so proud that with our collective advocacy, Build Canada Homes is prioritizing affordable housing, with a full $1 billion earmarked for supportive housing. We need this kind of housing to keep people like me from falling into homelessness and help people without a home find a safe place they can afford. 

If you’re thinking about making a year-end gift, this matching campaign makes your support go twice as far – meaning twice the opportunity, twice the hope for the communities we help, and twice the chance to end homelessness.

A brand-new supporter was moved by the momentum from Giving Tuesday and has offered a $100,000 matching gift. This means that every donation made by December 31st will be doubled – making the season of giving even more impactful. 

If you’re able to contribute before the year ends, can you chip in now to help us put your generosity to work – with double the impact? This will go towards helping prevent people from falling into homelessness.

Donate now

We’ve accomplished so much this year, thanks to you and your support. I’m personally grateful for everything you do to help our work and spread the message to more people across the country. 

Thank you for being part of our movement and believing in this work with me, I’m so grateful to have you as an ally. It means the world to me, and to everyone at CAEH.