The Coldest Night of the Year is a winterrific family-friendly fundraising walk in support of local charities serving people experiencing hurt, hunger, and homelessness... because it’s cold out there. Join us on February 28, 2026 - across the country, close to home!
“Every Step Brings a Youth Closer to Home.”
Since 2008, we’ve operated Joanne’s House — Durham’s only youth-focused emergency shelter for individuals ages 16–24 experiencing homelessness. But we know that ending youth homelessness requires more than offering a roof over someone’s head. As a registered charity, we work alongside youth to find lasting solutions through prevention, rapid rehousing, and ongoing housing stabilization supports.
Last year was our first time participating in the Coldest Night of the Year Walk. With an ambitious goal of $30,000 — and the incredible generosity of our community, along with a one-year Youth Opportunities grant from the Home Depot Canada Foundation — we reached that goal!
Those funds allowed us to place a Housing Support Worker inside the school system and sustain vital supports in Durham high schools.
Today, thanks to last year’s donors and an 3 year Ontario Trillium Foundation Grant, two staff are now working directly with students in Durham’s school boards, providing the housing support they urgently need. Without that generosity, this life-changing work simply would not have been possible.
This year, our focus is Steps to Stabilization.
Because every young person deserves more than a roof — they deserve safety, support, and the chance to build a future. Yet for many youth in Durham Region — those aging out of care, leaving unsafe homes, or falling through the cracks — that future can feel out of reach.
Your support changes that.
It gives youth the courage and resources to take one of the bravest steps of their lives: moving from emergency shelter into a permanent, stable home. For a young person who has slept on couches, in unsafe situations, or outdoors, that first night in their own space is nothing short of life changing.
Behind every door we help open is a young person who finally feels safe. Finally feels supported. Finally feels seen.
Your generosity is the difference between a youth merely surviving — and a youth beginning to heal.
Peace Lutheran Church has parking in the church lot and also park in the Community Centre to the south side.
Registration starts at 4:00pm
Come to the upstairs lobby to ensure you are registered and ready to walk before you head downstairs!
We will have a brief Welcome before we head out to walk down Liverpool Road and return to share a warm meal and wrap up for 6pm.
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Follow the route there and back to complete 2 KM.
Walk the route there and back to complete 5 KM.
The CNOY Team Participant & Donor Services
Toll Free 1.877.743.3413 / Phone 519.603.2250
Email pickering@cnoy.org