The Cowichan Valley's first Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) was held on February 26th, 2022. Almost 500 people in Duncan joined thousands of others in 150+ cities across Canada for a family friendly, winter walk in support of youth experiencing hunger, hurt, and homelessness in the Cowichan Valley. 

CNOY is something special - it’s fun, meaningful, and a little challenging. CMHA Cowichan Valley Branch is also something special, and our work and service in the community are essential. Our CNOY 2022 goal was to raise $50,000 and we were extremely pleased to raise over $90,000 to create a safe space and programs for homeless youth in the Cowichan Valley. Fundraising for this project is ongoing.

Equally valuable was the energy of the event and witnessing the community coming together to show at risk youth that they are not forgotten. It was incredibly heartwarming to see individuals, businesses and community groups come together in kindness to make a positive impact.

We were pleased to work with Fish On Productions to create three videos to support this event:

Message from Cowichan Leaders #CNOY22:

Quw’utsun Tzinquaw Drummers & Singers #CNOY22

Spoken Word: Let's Go For a Walk performed by Switch

Thank you to everyone who helped to make this happen!

This phenomenal first year success would not have been possible without the support of our 42 volunteers, 67 team captains and 494 walkers. We are already looking forward to next year - mark your calendars for Saturday, February 25, 2023.

CNOY run in partnership with the Blue Sea Foundation (another charity). For more information about Coldest Night of the Year, please visit www.cnoy.org/

The Coldest Night of the Year is a moment when tens of thousands of Canadians step outside the warmth and comfort of home and shine a light of welcome and inclusion. We are very excited that the CMHA Cowichan Valley Branch is partnering with the Blue Sea Foundation to will be participate annually in the Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY). Our first event was held on February 26, 2022. 

In partnership with the Blue Sea Foundation, we're collecting donations that fund critical services to supports vulnerable families and individuals in our community.

•  We walk through the cold and dark to declare our concern for people who have no home and take shelter in nooks and crannies.

•  We walk for those whose days are a battle to house and feed their families and whose nights are filled with fear and frustration.

•  We walk for those driven from home by violence and abuse. And we walk for people overwhelmed by isolation, guilt, and despair.

•  We walk humbly, realizing that anyone can lose their footing and then lose everything else.

Each step we take brings someone closer to safety, health and home, as together, we raise funds for to transform peoples’ lives.

Funds raised will help CMHA Cowichan Valley to create a safe space and programs for homeless youth.

CNOY is something special - it’s fun, meaningful, and a little challenging. CMHA Cowichan Valley Branch is also something special, and our work and service in the community are essential. 

We need your help to make this happen!

In December of each year, we begin recruiting sponsors, volunteers, team captains and walkers. Teams of walkers can include corporate, community, sports or other teams - or families and groups of friends that want to support family members or friends that have struggled with mental health. There are so many options and the potential impact to the community is great.

Please consider joining us by supporting this great event.