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COVID-19 ALERT: The Out of the Cold Programs in York Region have been temporarily scaled down to 2 shelter locations and a limit of beds. Please visit the news page for more details and the shelter schedule for the location of our 2 shelters this winter.
EXCITING NEWS! Amalgamation between Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold and Blue Door coming next spring! Read more.
Welcome to Out of the Cold
The Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold Program provides safe refuge, warm hospitality and emergency shelter in York Region to the homeless or those in need of food/clothing.
Overnight shelters are operated by various interfaith communities on different nights of the week from November to March.
Homelessness does exist in York Region, and we need your support!
Despite popular belief, homelessness can affect anyone regardless of age, ethnicity or status. It is not just a problem affecting drug users or alcoholics but anyone can face poverty and homelessness during difficult financial hardships.
The Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold Program aims to help individuals who have lost their homes or are at risk of losing their homes by providing emergency shelter, clothing, meals, shower facilities, medical care, or just a compassionate ear. Out of the Cold has improved the lives of many who find themselves on the street during difficult times. An Out of the Cold guest once told one of the volunteers, "I feel like I'm with family when I come here".
While Out of the Cold isn't a solution to the homeless crisis, it is a way to offer immediate assistance and hope to those who are marginalized in our affluent society.
Donate online now and receive an instant tax receipt!
Who we are
The Mosaic Interfaith Out of the Cold Program is an organization that coordinates shelters for the homeless within York Region.
Out of the Cold is a coalition of over 50 interfaith communities in York Region. Shelters are operated by 12 host communities:
- Jaffari Islamic Centre
- Temple Har Zion
- Thornhill United Church (in partnership with Holy Trinity Anglican Church and Thornhill Baptist Church)
- St. Luke's Catholic Parish
- Rouge Valley Mennonite Church
- Toronto Christian Community Church
- Vaughan Community Church
- St. Mary's Anglican Church (in partnership with Richmond Hill United Church, Richmond Hill Presbyterian Church, Emanuel Anglican Church, and the Richmond Hill Meeting House.
- The Bridge Markham Community Church
- Ahmadiya Islamic Community (in partnership with Humanity First)
- St. George's Anglican Church
The faith communities that we partner with offer their facilities as an overnight shelter, they gather volunteers to serve the guests. Out of the Cold provides each partner site with support services such as funding, mattresses, transportation of guests, security and volunteer training.
What we do
We provide overnight shelters in York Region 7 nights a week during the coldest months of the year (November to March) at our 10 host community sites. For 7 nights each week, between 50-75 men and women are served a sit-down meal, provided with clean clothes, shower facilities, medical care, entertainment such as movies and music, and overnight accommodation. Each night up to 40 people sleep overnight, eat a full breakfast, are provided with a bagged lunch, and public transportation tokens. Support services such as on-site nurses and referrals to other agencies are also provided. The program is primarily run by volunteers and relies heavily on the support and dedication of volunteers who offer their time, comfort and hospitality to the guests that use the program.