Windsor Youth Centre to kick off HUGS campaign to help youth in need

Windsor Youth Centre in Windsor, Ont., on Thursday, Nov. 6, 2025. (Gary Archibald/CTV News Windsor)

As temperatures continue to fall, the Windsor Youth Centre (WYC) is calling on the public to help those in need stay warm on city streets.

WYC, a division of the Downtown Mission in Windsor, is asking the public to help with their upcoming HUGS campaign 2025. The official kickoff is Wednesday, Nov. 12.

The term ‘HUGS’ encompasses several key words including hoodies, hygiene items, underwear, gloves, gift cards, sleeping bags, socks and snacks.

The number of homeless and hungry in the city keeps growing in part due to economic challenges – especially for youth, and in particular males between the ages of 16 and 25.

Ashley Marchand is the director of youth services and administration at the Downtown Mission.

“Currently we have anywhere between 60 to 80 youth who have accessed our service this year who are actively experiencing homelessness,” said Marchand.

“So, they may be couch-surfing, they may be sleeping on the streets. They might be staying in shelter. The difference of our youth, they might be in stable housing, but it’s not necessarily affordable or not necessarily adequate.”

All of these items are welcomed throughout the year as donations at the Downtown Mission at 875 Ouellette Ave and the Windsor Youth Centre at 1247 Wyandotte St E.

In addition, there will be a HUGS Collection Drive on Friday, Nov. 28 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Tecumseh Mall with every donation going to a person in need in our community.

The Windsor Youth Centre’s mandate also includes assisting youth aged 16 – 29 with essentials such as food and hygiene items as well as opportunities to develop their personal identity and look into growth opportunities in a safe environment.