Coldest Night Of The Year Analysis

Critical Review of a Social Issue: Coldest Night of the Year

Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to explore one of Blue Sea Philanthropies yearly fundraising initiatives “Coldest Night of the Year” in support of people who are homeless and the local organizations across Canada who supports those experiencing homelessness. “Coldest Night of the Year” walk takes place each year in February to bring awareness by having participants feel a hint off the challenges faced by those experiencing homelessness, particularly during the winter (Coldest Night of the Year, 2016). “Coldest Night of the Year” describes homelessness as, “absolute homelessness where people are living on the streets or in shelters, hidden homelessness where individuals

The following year in December of 2011 Blue Sea Philanthropy launched the first ever “Coldest Night of the Year” walk for homelessness partnering with Yonge Street Mission in Toronto and Ray of Hope in Kitchener. In May of 2012, Blue Sea Philanthropy was registered as a Canadian Charity. The following year, “Coldest Night of the Year” was extended to 38 Canadian cities helping charitable partners raise $1.6 million during the walk in February (Coldest Night of the Year, 2016). In 2014, the event grew and was hosted in 63 cities and raised over $2.5 million for the hungry, homeless and hurting in cities Canada wide. The next year in 2015, “Coldest Night of the Year grew to 81 cities and raised over $3 million (Coldest Night of the Year,

Social reform is described as, “an activity by one group on behalf of a relatively disadvantaged group” (Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition). The walk falls within these parameters because it is raising money and awareness for people who are experiencing homelessness. Through the efforts of the walk, money is raised for local organizations that work with people who are experiencing homelessness, for example HOPE House in Guelph. Social capital formation is described as, “a focus on the connections among individuals, social networks and the norms of reciprocity and trustworthiness, high social capital equals effective schools, governments, lower crime, higher economic equality, greater tolerance and includes political engagement, civic and religious organizations, family gatherings, socializing and group recreational activities” (Ontario Healthy Communities Coalition). “Coldest Night of the Year” can be categorized by this community development strategy as it aims to increase the connections of people who are passionate about advocating for people experiencing homelessness. The event helps to build community by people coming together in support of a local charitable organization that provides resources for people experiencing homelessness. The walk itself also provides a sense of community because groups of people