Introducing The Heart of LifeWear
A Global initiative that protects people in need. This year, UNIQLO willdonate 1 million pieces of HEATTECH or AIRism to refugees and the communities around the world who need it most.
To contribute to this global initiative, throughout the Holiday season UNIQLO is donating 30,000 units of HEATTECH products across Canada to support people experiencing homelessness, asylum seekers, refugees, and those in need of clothing across the country. Customers can join by donating at checkout in all UNIQLO stores to support homeless youth through Covenant House or by donating their gently used UNIQLO clothing in all stores which will go to our RE.UNIQLO partners in each city.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS / WHERE THE DONATIONS ARE GOING TO
Covenant House (Ontario and British Columbia)
About: Covenant House helps youth ignite their potential and reclaim their lives. As Canada’s largest agency serving youth who are homeless, trafficked, or at risk, we offer the widest range of services to hundreds of young people every day. More than a place to stay, we provide life-changing care with unconditional love and respect. We meet youth’s immediate needs and then we work together to achieve their future goals. We offer 24/7 crisis shelter, transitional housing options on-site and in the community, health and well-being support, training and skill development, and ongoing care once youth move into the community. For over 40 years, Covenant House has been dedicated to its mission of serving youth on the street and protecting and safeguarding all youth with absolute respect and unconditional love. Since 1982, Covenant House has supported more than 100,000 young people.
Who are these donations supporting: Covenant House provides a safe space for youth who are homeless, trafficked, or at risk. Over the last decade, we have seen a shift. More young people are staying with us for longer periods of time. This is because the youth we serve are facing more complex challenges. In addition to abuse, neglect, and family breakdown, more youth struggle with mental health, finding affordable housing, and getting stable, meaningful jobs. They come from a diverse range of cultural backgrounds, religions, sexualities, gender identities, and varied experiences with trauma and abuse. These youth have faced big challenges. They're also big-hearted artists, eager scholars, talented pianists, sports fans, computer geeks, fashion lovers, and video gamers. They are some of our community’s most vulnerable and some of the most resilient. With the right opportunities, they can build a better future. Throughout the year, but particularly in the cold winter months, young people come to us for care, reprieve, and support. Our donation centre is open year-round for young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness to access clothing, hygiene products, and other essential items.
New Circles (Ontario)
About: New Circles Community Services is a not-for-profit, grass-roots agency that builds strong and caring communities by providing clothing and skills training programs to equity-deserving individuals.
Who are these donations supporting: GLOW is available to equity-deserving individuals living on a limited income. Our clients are predominantly newcomers, folks living at the shelter, or homeless folks. With the changing weather, there is an extremely high demand for warm clothing. Heattech would allow our clients to stay warm and comfortable in the colder months and focus their time, money, and energy on other priorities like food and shelter.
This November, UNIQLO employees delivered HEATTECH to the people New Circle serves. UNIQLO volunteers, including Canada’s COO, sorted new HEATTECH products– UNIQLO’s innovative thermal clothing– while supporting the “shopping” experience of the customers.
Edmonton Emergency Response and Newcomers Services (EERNS) (Alberta)
About: Edmonton Emergency Response and Newcomers Services (EERNS) is a nonprofit charitable organization that helps fire victims, disasters, family violence victims, Newcomers, and Refugees. Our goal is to offer comprehensive help by providing essential needs to those who have suffered in many ways. By iInciting the generosity and support of the community, we will be able to offer assistance to those in need with household necessities, clothes, furniture, and personal hygiene items. We aim to fulfill our sponsor's ethics of caring by redirecting their donations to the many individuals who are struggling in Alberta. Furthermore, we want to ensure a positive environment for all of our volunteers by increasing the sense of inclusivity within the charity. This will open opportunities for newcomers and refugees to volunteer and gain Canadian experience in the work field while immersing in the language. Lastly, this symbiotic partnership will aim to strengthen the province and make a positive impact on people’s lives.
Who are these donations supporting: All our Newcomers and Refugees come without anything with them, and they are not prepared for The Canadian weather, so Heattech products are a great help for them. All our services are free of charge.
The Open Door (Quebec)
About: The Open Door Montreal is a low-barrier emergency shelter that operates 24/7, 365 days a year, offering a variety of programs and services for individuals experiencing homelessness, with priority given to the unhoused Indigenous communities of Milton Parc. Programs and services are developed with an unwavering commitment to cultural safety and harm reduction in a warm, client-centred environment. In addition to the emergency shelter, we have a team dedicated to outreach, mediation, and community cohabitation, as well as a Housing First program for members of the Indigenous community (mainly Inuit). The goal is not simply to get people off the streets but to provide them with a comprehensive array of supports that help them achieve the stability they need to move forward in their lives. By providing emergency shelter and support in a client-centered environment, The Open Door Montreal aims to create an atmosphere of trust and respite while directing people to the services and resources best suited to their needs.
Who are these donations supporting: At The Open Door Montreal, we support individuals experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of homelessness, with priority given to the unhoused Indigenous communities of Milton Parc. As the winters in Montreal can be long and cold, many of our participants and community members must face temperatures that can drop well below freezing. The clothing we provide largely comes from donations, and having HEATTECH products would help ensure that our participants and community members have adequate protection from frigid temperatures. This type of clothing will help our participants and community members stay comfortable while navigating their daily lives during the cold winter months. It will also significantly impact their overall health and well-being, preventing health issues related to cold exposure, such as frostbite.