As the demographic of the city continues to evolve, the Cambridge Shelter Corporation is trying to develop progressive ways to encourage supporters and meet the needs of those accessing its services.
One of those ways is through its fundraising approach. When the COVID-19 pandemic brought the world to a halt, it also slowed the shelter's ability to generate critical funds for its operations.
It's part of the reason why its making adjustments to the "Walk to Change Lives" event, shifting it from in-person to virtual in hopes of reaching a wider base of participants.
"The challenge of raising funds for individuals experiencing homelessness is, at times, daunting," Majorie Brown, resource development coordinator at the Cambridge Shelter Corporation, said.
"As we work to rebuild our audience and committees, we're looking at new routes to engagement. Like many agencies doing charitable work, our event participants are aging and to meet the needs of those we support, we need to find different ways of fundraising."
Brown, a mother of two adult children, said she was amazed at the amount of support virtual events gained during the pandemic. As she watched others successfully execute fundraisers, she said "the light bulb came on."
The "Walk to Change Lives" is running from March 31 to April 6, with registration beginning next week. Participants are encouraged to set a revenue goal and network with friends, family and people in the community to reach it.
Currently, a small committee of Conestoga College and high school students are working on creating messaging to share.
For the walk itself, people can plan their own routes, whether in the gym on a treadmill, on the sidewalk or out on one of the many trails within the city.
The funds raised directly support the work the shelter does.
While government funding accounts for much of its revenue, Brown said overhead costs almost always exceed what's allotted.
Services offered through the shelter include ID clinics for residents across the region, a Scattered Supportive Housing program which focuses on supporting individuals throughout the community to ensure they remain housed, voluntary income management assistance and a chaplaincy program that speaks to the emotional needs of individuals.
"Since our early days, the Cambridge Shelter Corporation has focused on a 'whole person' approach to support," Brown said.
"Persons experiencing homelessness are often experiencing unique hurdles such as lack of personal identification papers, a lack of employment opportunities and family upset. We're hoping that by doing a virtual walk we will reach the broader community and by doing so will take the first steps in changing the conversation."
Volunteers are still being accepted to help plan and execute the event, Brown said.
For more information visit cambridgesheltercorp.ca or email marjorie@cambridgesheltercorp.
