An Oshawa man has now spent the past month sleeping outside in a tent to show support for the homeless community.
It comes after advocates say six people have died in the city in November, partially because of frigid conditions.
Taylor Bailey knows the weather can be painfully cold, which is why he couldn’t help but think of those suffering.
“One night at like 1 a.m., something woke me up from my deep sleep, and I was like, ‘you need to do something this second,'” the Oshawa native said.
Bailey took action immediately. On that night one month ago, he got out of bed, pulled out his tent and started sleeping outside.
He’s been doing it almost every night ever since.
Taylor says when it’s too windy outside, the tent will blow down the street. Although he doesn’t sleep inside the tent during these nights, he will still sleep outside on his front porch.
Homeless advocate and executive director of DIRE Oshawa, Christeen Thornton, says getting out of the cold isn’t always an option for those living on the streets.
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“There was actually an issue last year where there was an ice storm and an individual that got literally frozen into their tent,” she said.
It’s a devastating reality that hits home for Shawn Smith, who experienced homelessness when he lived in Toronto.
Smith has also decided to set up a tent of his own to show support for those on the streets.
“Guess what, it’s good to help people and good to help life.”
The need to help individuals is what motivated those like Bailey to call on local governments to do more.
As a part of a worldwide effort called the World’s Big Sleepout Campaign, Bailey is hoping others will take part in a sleepout happening at Memorial Park on Saturday.
The event will start at 2 p.m.
The global movement is supported by multiple celebrities, including Will Smith.
Bailey is calling on Smith’s son Jaden, who was in Toronto for a concert Tuesday, to attend the sleepout.
“I’d just love Jaden Smith to come out to Oshawa and support what we’re doing for the big sleep out that his dad is supporting,” Bailey said.
As for Thornton, who was once homeless herself, she says movements like these are crucial to helping those living on the streets.
“It’s really hard to reach these people sometimes because they feel very othered by our society” she said.
“All movements start small. It reaffirms for those living out there that people do care.”
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