Jennifer Davies knows firsthand how a few strokes of bad luck can change a livelihood from thriving to struggling to survive.
“I used to live in the Railyards and own my own salon,” said Davies, 39. In 2009, a marketing scam forced her business into bankruptcy. When she tried to get back on her feet, a shoulder injury and a diagnosis of fibromyalgia prevented her from working in her field again.
“We lost everything. It was awful,” Davies said. She moved into subsidized housing, went on social assistance and used food banks and programs at the Mustard Seed.
The poverty she faced during that time inspired the single mother to join hundreds of Victorians to walk in support of Canada’s hungry and homeless on Saturday night.
“Everybody needs help,” said Davies, who also volunteers and operates the online magazine BeeGreen.ca. “I can’t do much, but I can walk.”
The Coldest Night of the Year walk is an annual fundraiser that takes place in cities across the country. Since 2011, it has raised close to $5 million for partner charities that work to alleviate poverty and homelessness. For the second year in a row, the organization has asked the Mustard Seed to be its participating charity in Victoria.
“Last year was quite small, mostly staff walkers, but this year the response has been incredible,” said Kelcy Snyckers, the Mustard Seed’s marketing and events co-ordinator. The non-profit organization and street church operates a food bank and programs for families and individuals.
So far, more than 150 participants — from churches, police departments, schools and businesses — have signed up for the 2.5- and 5.0-kilometre walk through downtown Victoria. Nearly half of the $25,000 goal has been raised.
Snyckers said the money will go to transformative programs at the organization’s family centre.
“The main reason we are doing this is to raise awareness around affordable housing and childcare, as well as low wages, which are affecting the growing number of working poor in this city,” she said. “It’s become almost pandemic among the working poor that people are not making ends meet because of the costs of living.”
Snyckers said it’s not too late to join the walk and families with children are especially welcomed. Participants can register online or at the event. Registration starts at 3 p.m., and the opening ceremony is at 4 p.m. on the lower causeway in the Inner Harbour.
For more information, go to coldestnightoftheyear.org.
