Food & Clothing Drive

My name is Kali. I grew up in the town of Oakville and am currently a communications student at Wilfrid Laurier University, living in Waterloo. I had a very fortunate childhood, never having to worry about the power going out or where my next meal would come from. I've always had a roof over my head and clothes on my back.

While I have lived a life of privilege, I have seen people face real struggles. At an early age this opened my eyes to the reality that not everyone has the luxury of feeling the same comfort that I do. Every day we pass by people who do not have the basic day-to-day necessities that we have and often take this for granted.

Early in life, I encountered people around me who actively struggled with addiction. Addiction is a difficult illness for most people to grasp.

Regardless of how much of how much school taught us about addiction, seeing someone struggle with addiction only becomes real, when it is someone close to you.

Addiction is an illness, a disease that effects ones brain. Not a behavioral issue or a result of "poor decisions".

Addiction is misunderstood by most. Those who are suffering from it may feel ashamed to ask for help. Those who have the ability to help may choose to turn a blind eye and become distanced from a loved one. Addiction and mental illnesses commonly go hand-in-hand and can, at times, lead to homelessness. For that reason, I want to show those in need, that there are people who care. This desire insired "Our Love In The Park" - providing a chance for people to show they care for others.