Red Door Family Shelter
21 Carlaw Ave. M4M 2R6 Toronto, ON, Canada

There's still time left to bring some more positivity to 2020! You can end the year by making lasting positive change for families in crisis. Make bright futures possible for homeless families with your gift today. Give before the midnight deadline to get your 2020 tax-receipt and give shelter, strength and support for the new year. https://www.reddoorshelter.ca/help-families #makeadifference #positive #2020 #brightfutures #2021 #support #help #homeless #families #shelter #wearereddoor

The holiday season can be a very difficult time for homeless families, and especially for children - let alone during a global pandemic. But thanks to the wonderful and generous support from people like you, you gave children and families at the Red Door hope, and truly brightened the holiday season! "Thank you for taking care of us!" - George, age 8 "Thank you for keeping us safe." - Samina, age 7... "Thank for your kindness." - Ada, age 10 From the hearts of families and staff at the Red Door Family Shelter, thank you for your incredible generosity, your kindness and your care. #thankyou #heartwarming #holiday #peace #love #makingadifference #shelter #families #children #happyholidays #wearereddoor

There is no better way to know the true spirit of the season than by helping others in need. As 2020 draws to a close, there’s still time for you to celebrate the holiday spirit by making a positive impact. Right now there are 32 families seeking shelter at the Red Door, including 79 children and teens. You can give them hope for the new year. You can change lives. Donate before the December 31st deadline to receive your 2020 tax-receipt. https://www.reddoorshelter.ca/help-families

We are in the holiday spirit at the shelter! Here's a photo of one of our resident's door that has been decorated to celebrate the holiday's. From all of us at the Red Door Family Shelter we wish you and those you love a happy holiday season. Thank you for changing lives. All the best for 2021.

Here are some before and after pictures of our food bank shelves! Thank you so much to our amazing community of support. We wouldn't be able to do the work we do without YOU!

From all of us at the Red Door Family Shelter we wish you and those you love a very safe and happy holiday season. While things may be different for all of us this year, we know that we have each other, we have hope, and together we celebrate the things that truly matter. We are deeply grateful for people like you who care about homeless families, now more than ever. By opening your heart to families in crisis, you give the gift of compassion and hope. You help homeless families find the strength they need to heal and rebuild their lives. Thank you for making this holiday season bright.

Here's a photo from Left Field Brewery 's holiday campaign for us last year! Our hearts are full of appreciation we extend a special thank you to the local businesses in our community. Many of our local businesses have been supporting the Red Door Shelter and other organizations for countless years. These times are tough and yet the offers of help have not stopped! For more information visit https://qoo.ly/39a4j5

WOW! Thank you so much for your overwhelming response. Please meet Nicolle, our InKind Coordinator, and look at the amazing job you've all done! Our hearts are so full of gratitude. Our food bank runs every week and there is always an on-going need of non-perishable food items so please keep us in you hearts over the next few months

Our team of runners and walkers have raised over $2,600 in the Virtual Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon & 5k, but they need your help to reach their fundraising goal of $5,000 before the end of October. Help match Team Red Door's fundraising to reach their goal of funding 150 food visits for families who have recently moved back into the community. Your sponsorship will help put food on the table for single moms in need. A gift of just $10 will have a big impact: https://qoo.ly/38vep2

Support to find safe, affordable housing is critical for families in our shelter. Our Housing and Outreach team helps families ready to move through finding the right unit, liaising with landlords, advocating, and connecting to subsidies. Last year, we helped 78 families find affordable private market rentals or subsidized housing, ensuring a strong foundation for their new lives forward. Read more in our 2020 Gratitude Report: https://qoo.ly/398xik

Michael was 7-years-old when he arrived at the Red Door Shelter in December 2019 with his mom and two younger brothers. Fleeing intimate partner violence, Michael’s mom desperately wanted a better future for herself and her children. Would the violence he witnessed destroy his ability to trust, feel safe, and make new friends? With the help of caring people like you, one year later, Michael, his mom and brothers are safe and happily settled in their new home. Read Michael's inspiring story: https://qoo.ly/396vpn

Through these tough times, we're so grateful for the continued support of local businesses in our community. Leslieville bridal accessory boutique, The Loved One is donating 15% of the proceeds of their beautiful masks to Red Door from now through December. There is now the option for XL masks, which are longer (6.5" long) than their standard masks. For more info vist://www.reddoorshelter.ca/event/2020-10-01/loved-one-mask-sale

Watch this powerful story of Toronto FC's Ayo Akinola, and his family sharing their past experience of homelessness in Toronto, and what drives him to move forward. The struggles that his mother describes are barriers that many refugee families and single moms at our shelter continue to face today. Your support of shelters like the Red Door makes all the difference for families like Ayo's:

Need some heartwarming family photos to spread joy for the holiday season? Our good friend Krista Fogel Photography is hosting her annual holiday family photo session fundraiser for Red Door on Saturday November 7th - with all proceeds donated to help families at our shelter. For precautionary measures during Covid-19, Krista will be scheduling outdoor sessions. For more information visit: https://qoo.ly/38s6hc

Today is World Food Day and we want to say a huge thank you to our partners at Second Harvest for their continued support of our weekly Food Bank! We received more that 44,000 lbs of fresh produce distributed through 687 visits by families who have moved out of the shelter in the last year. Our Food Bank is a lifeline of support for families once they have moved into their own homes - many of whom are paying over 60% of their income on rent alone. Thank you again to Second Harvest and to all of our supporters who make our Food Bank possible.

A big thank you to Girls Gone Local for being amazing and continuing to provide special monthly birthday parties for kids at our shelter. Each month the team delivers a "birthday party in a box" (lunch, cake, loot bags and gifts for the birthday kids). While we look forward getting back to the live events with magicians and games, these birthday kits have been a real treat for kids at our shelter that they always look forward to. We're so grateful for your help to bring this bit of extra special fun! #thankyou #birthday #party #safe #fun #kids #shelter #support #celebrate #bigsmiles #wearereddoor

Special thanks to author Saher Lalani for donating copies of her colouring book 'Mother Like No Other'- with illustrations and loving thoughts that pay tribute to mothers and mother figures everywhere. Children and moms at our shelter will really enjoy working on these together! Thank you for the beautiful gift!

Join Team Red Door and run where you want, when you want all through the month of October to help raise funds for families affected by homelessness and abuse. Join us in the virtual Toronto Waterfront Marathon, half marathon, relay run or 5k walk or run to make a difference. With all traditional in-person events cancelled or postponed, we could really use your help to support the many programs and services that help families heal and re-build their lives. Learn more and register today: https://qoo.ly/38n9vx

Before and after shots of the living room at our VAW shelter after an incredible makeover by @bdinteriordesign! The women, moms and kids at our shelter really love love love the new look! A huge thanks to Tracy Moore and Cityline for making this happen and featuring us on the show! Thanks to @benjaminmoore @sharon_grech IKEA Rogers. Photography by: Janelle Gokule @janellegokule

CityLine Host Tracy Moore sat down with moms who bravely shared their stories, and then delivered a tremendous gift to help moms and children at our shelter. We're so grateful to Cityline, Rogers and Giant Tiger for their tremendous support. Watch here:

On October 1st, we held our first ever Virtual Donor and Volunteer Celebration! Although we weren’t able to get together in person this year, the feelings of community and connection were stronger than ever. It was so wonderful to see so many friendly and familiar faces, and to hear from incredible donors, volunteers and supporters. We continue to be so grateful to you for your support in making the lives of women and children fleeing domestic violence and homeless families brighter. Thank you!

With your generous support of our Moving Program, 6 families were able to move into their own homes in September, with furniture and household items to help them get started. It means so much for families who have been through trauma, especially at this time to finally have a place to call home. Thank you for supporting them through this transition. You're helping families build bright futures. Learn more at: https://qoo.ly/38j4ez

With over 100,000 families on the waitlist for affordable housing in Toronto, this is the kind of action our city needs: