THE TRAGEDY OF HOMELESSNESS IN CANADAPoverty is the major contributor to homelessness in Canada. There are two distinct groups of homeless people: those who are temporarily homeless - the transitional homeless, and those who are chronically homeless - living on the streets for more than one year. This is a snapshot of the tragedy on Canada’s Streets:

• At least 200,000 Canadians experience homelessness in a year• Toronto has the second highest homeless population of any Canadian city, with an average of 5,250 homeless on the streets every night • Average life expectancy for chronically homeless is 39• Homelessness costs the Canadian economy $7 billion annually in emergency shelters, social services, health care and corrections

(Charity Intelligence Canada 2009, Toronto Street Needs Assessment 2013, the Homeless Hub 2013)

VE’AHAVTA : WHO WE AREMO

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SS Ve’ahavta: the Canadian Jewish Humanitarian and Relief Committee is a charitable social service organization founded in 1996 that is dedicated to promoting positive change in the lives of people of all faiths who are marginalized by poverty locally and nationally. Ve’ahavta clients include homeless individuals, Aboriginal communities, as well as others facing social inequities and lack of health-promotion resources. On the global stage, Ve’ahavta is committed to international aid and crisis response.

Ve’ahavta derives its name and mission from the Torah’s commandment, “ve’ahavta l’rayacha kamocha” —love your neighbor as you would love yourself. It is our obligation and privilege to reach out with compassion to those who are most vulnerable regardless of race, religion, or nationality. Ve’ahavta’s innovative programs aim to break barriers, restore human dignity, foster inclusivity, and empower marginalized individuals to break the cycle of poverty and fulfill their unique human potential.

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• providing basic human necessities (food, water, coffee, clothing, basic hygiene, first aid supplies) to individuals who are homeless or under-housed• transporting clients to shelters in extreme cold or heat• offering vital human warmth and connection through interaction with outreach workers and volunteers, thereby restoring dignity and humanity • offering informal case management to clients who require support or assistance with urgent needs related to health, housing, and the law• creating partnerships with other agencies to develop a social service network

ABOUT THE MOBILE JEWISH RESPONSE TO THE HOMELESS (MJRH):

Ve’ahavta’s Mobile Jewish Response to the Homeless is one of the most effective and valuable services responding to the needs of people living on Toronto’s streets. The Mobile Jewish Response to the Homeless outreach van mitigates some of the consequences of homelessness and ensures the health and safety of individuals in the worst of circumstances by:

• interact with clients at least 11,000 times• serve nearly 15,200 sandwiches• distribute over 14,000 pairs of socks• serve over 13,000 cups of coffee• distribute nearly 4,000 litres of water

• partner with at least 3 community agencies• transport approximately 100 clients to shelters due to extreme cold or heat• In addition, the MJRH outreach workers provide approximately 40 clients with extra support, outside of regular van shiftsMO

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The MJRH outreach van, along with a team of three volunteers, operates five shifts per week, year round. Thanks to the frequency of the MJRH van on Toronto’s streets, MJRH outreach workers are able to develop

a strong rapport with service users, increasing opportunities to reach their potential.

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DURING 235 VAN SHIFTS, MJRH OUTREACH WORKERS & VOLUNTEERS:

IMPACT&MEASURABLES

At Ve’ahavta, we believe that the only way to repair the world is to engage adults and youth in hands-on volunteer opportunities that will promote empathy, inspire personal growth and engender the qualities youth need to become future leaders.Each time the MJRH van goes out on the street, our Community Outreach Worker is accompanied by three volunteers, ages 12 years +, who learn about the realities of homelessness by actively participating on van runs.

EACH YEAR APPROXIMATELY 600 VOLUNTEERS GIVE OVER 3,000 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER TIME TO ASSIST MJRH OUTREACH WORKERS!

VOLUNTEERS

ANNUAL MJRH BUDGET$

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EMERGENCY AID (FOOD, WATER, CLOTHING & SUNDRIES, CASH PORTION)

STAFF COSTS

$25,000

GAS, MAINTENANCE, INSURANCE, PARKING, EMERGENCY RESPONSE TELEPHONE $27,000$73,500

TOTAL PROGRAM COSTS - $459,500

CENTRAL ADMINISTRATION $25,000CASE MANAGEMENT $9,000

IN-KIND DONATIONS (CLOTHING, FOOD, HYGIENE SUPPLIES) $300,000TOTAL BUDGET - $159,500

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VE’AHAVTA: THE CANADIAN JEWISH HUMANITARIAN & RELIEF COMMITTEE200 Bridgeland Avenue, Unit D - Toronto, Ontario M6A 1Z4

www.veahavta.org • TEL: 416 - 964 - 7698 • FAX: 416 - 964 - 6582Charitable Registration # BN 99 904 2439 RR0001MO

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$500 — funds one shift on the MJRH van $1,000 — supplies food for MJRH clients for one month $2,500 — provides water for MJRH clients for one year $3,000 — provides coffee for MJRH clients for one year $10,000 — provides fuel for the MJRH van for one year $36,000 — covers the salary of the MJRH outreach worker for one year $50,000 — covers the entire direct MJRH van costs for a year$160,000 — finances the MJRH van for a year*Sponsorships above $5,000 are eligible for Ve’ahavta’s gala sponsor benefits

SUPPORT OPTIONS:

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Restoring the lives of the homeless is important to all Canadians. Together, with your help, we can take a step in meaningful support for Toronto’s homeless and offer them the opportunity for health and recovery.

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YOUR GENEROSITY HAS A POWERFUL IMPACT!

“Where Ve’ahavta stands out is your consistency. Ve’ahavta provides food and clothing, but your workers forge relationships with the clients and give useful and practical advice, and when possible offer real help. Because the

van is out there almost nightly, there is follow-up and accountability for both the worker and the client. This continuity makes positive results possible. Which is why, in addition to maybe two other outreach groups, I cannot

think of another organization as effective as Ve’ahavta.” Sheldon A. Hosannah, MJRH client and Ve’ahavta Street Academy Graduate

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