Holiday support program in Guelph seeing higher demand than previous years

A program to help out children, youth, and other families in Guelph is experiencing extremely high numbers.

The Adopt-A-Family program through the Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington has already seen over 1,600 referrals for assistance this year. Last year, the program helped out 1,585 families in total, including 3,515 children. The program supports a variety of families and independent youth from ages 12 to 22.

Megan Harron, the director of Community Programs at Children’s Foundation of Guelph and Wellington, said while the holidays are a time for celebration for most families, it can be harder for others.

“When you’re worried about how you’re going to afford everything and how you’re going to provide for the children in your home…It’s challenging if you don’t know how you’re going to make that happen,” said Harron.

Over 60 volunteers and staff are helping out with the program this year, which Harron said is taking an emotional impact from the demand.

“It is hard to see the amount of people in the community who are struggling,” said Harron. “It’s hard to get phone calls from people explaining their situation or from social workers advocating on behalf of their clients.”

The program is looking for donor families to be matched with families in need, and are also accepting cash donations. Families will be matched by the second week of December, and donations will be accepted until Christmas Day.