A Mother’s Fight Against Homelessness

Bernice Glenn has seen her son struggle with homelessness, addiction, and mental health issues for 16 years in her small rural Ontario community – and it’s been tough.

“He is on the street, and has been off and on for years,” she said. “It’s so hard to watch somebody struggle when you can’t do anything to help them.”

The Goderich, Ont., mother mentioned that even though he worked hard, he fell into drug addiction and developed mental health challenges that ultimately led him to become homeless. She occasionally spots him around their small town, but their encounters aren’t always uplifting.

“It’s hard to watch. It’s just hard because we face roadblocks all the time,” she said. “It’s the disease [of addiction] that takes their love and their hope away.”

This situation impacts not only their family, which includes her three daughters but also everyone who knew him as a “kind and gentle soul,” she added.

People battling addiction are someone’s pride and joy, born into a family that loves them, she expressed.

LISTEN: A mother opens up about her journey supporting her son:

London Morning6:44A Goderich, Ont., mother opens up about her son’s struggle with addiction and living rough

After watching her son deal with homelessness for 16 years, Bernice Glenn is doing everything possible to support him. But it hasn’t been easy. She shared his story on London Morning ahead of the annual Coldest Night of the Year walk.

Her son inspired Glenn to join in on the annual Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser when it arrived in her area, she stated.

“I decided I needed to do something,” said Glenn, whose ‘Bernie’s Bunch’ team ranks among the top 15 fundraising teams in Canada as of Friday.

More than 200 communities across Canada

The Coldest Night of the Year is a yearly fundraising walk happening Saturday to support local charities nationwide.

Over 36,500 people in at least 222 communities across Canada will wear matching blue and yellow hats while taking a chilly stroll together for charities that assist those facing hunger or homelessness. More than $12 million has been raised as of Friday.

Bernice Glenn’s team comes together in Goderich, Ont., for Coldest Night of the Year. (Submitted by Bernice Glenn)

The event in Goderich is organized by United Way Perth-Huron along with Huron Homelessness Initiative; funds go towards organizations like Artemis Huron Women’s Shelters, Huron Safe Homes for Youth, The Bridge Housing and Stability Program and Huron Turning Point transitional housing program. In London, money raised supports Mission Services of London.

Kitchener and Stratford, Ont., both hold high positions on Coldest Night of the Year’s location leaderboard.

At any point in time, somebody’s life could have a turn for the worse.- John Wolfe, Stratford, Ont.

John Wolfe is a realtor at RE/MAX A-B Realty Ltd in Stratford participating for his second year. He leads a team called ‘Chill Chasers 2026’, raising funds for Stratford Connection Centre and Shelterlink Youth Services.

“At any point in time, somebody’s life could have a turn for the worse,” Wolfe noted.

“We stand in the cold for three hours; it really puts it into perspective how tough things are for those living on the streets every day.” It shines a light on how difficult some people have it right now,” he explained.

Around 400 individuals from soccer teams, service clubs, workplaces , churches , and more will participate this year alone in Stratford according to Sonya Heyen from United Way Perth-Huron.

More than 36,500 people in at least 222 communities across Canada will walk together wearing matching hats Saturday Feb.28th supporting local charities assisting those facing homelessness or hunger.(United Way Perth-Huron/Facebook)

“It’s simple yet meaningful bringing everyone together toward something impactful,” Heyen shared.

“Having compassion is one thing; taking action makes it even stronger.”

For Glenn , participating alongside others during this event brings up strong emotions.

“It makes me cry seeing so many people come out wanting to help. It fills me with pride,” she remarked. “I put my heart into this since it’s all I can do as a mom witnessing my son struggling outside.”

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