'There is epidemic here'; Over $20k raised for homeless youth programs in St. Thomas, Ont.
CTV
With a drive down Talbot St. in St. Thomas, Ont., it is easy to see adults who are experiencing homelessness.
With a drive down Talbot St. in St. Thomas, Ont., it is easy to see adults who are experiencing homelessness. However with those between the ages of 16-24, homelessness often goes unseen.
"I didn't know that St. Thomas had this kind of dark underbelly," says Lisa Yates, whose grandson is homeless.
"In dealing with him I’ve met are a lot of people who just have nobody. They don't have parents, grandparents and they have nobody looking out for them."
Yates and her husband Ken Beadle were among the dozens of people walking in the Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser at Youth for Christ (YFC) in St. Thomas.
They brought in more than $3,000 of the $23,000 raised for the YFC Upper Room emergency Shelter.
"I just feel like if I just could help somebody, even if my grandson doesn't want it right now, this money will help someone get to where they need to be," says Yates.
With St. Thomas offering the most services in Elgin County, they home to the most homeless youth in the county. The YWCA says they are drawing young people from rural areas like West Elgin and Aylmer.
