Important Note on COVID-19 Safety Protocols

To adhere to Public Health Requirements and to prioritize Public Health and Safety, all Participants attending the 2021 Step Up for Wayside Event at FirstOntario Centre on Saturday November 6th, 2021 will be required to show proof of double vaccination before entering the venue. There will be no exceptions, as we are taking every precaution to prevent and avoid health risks to all participants. We will have PPE available for all participants.

We thank you all in advance for your cooperation!

A Message from Wayside Supporters

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Chief Frank Bergen
Chief of Police
City of Hamilton

Monique Taylor
MPP for Hamilton Mountain
City of Hamilton

Dr. Jennifer Brasch
Lead Addiction Psychiatry
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton

Katie Heelis
Interim Chief Executive Office
Addictions and Mental Health Ontario

Ryan Kitchen
Program Manager
​Wayside House of Hamilton

Dr. Ryan Todd
Chief Executive Officer
Headversity

Bishop Douglas Crosby
OMI, DD
Disocese of Hamilton

Join a team

join as an individual

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Wayside House of Hamilton (Wayside) will be holding its third annual STEP UP for Wayside event on Saturday, November 6th, 2021 at FirstOntario Centre. This year, our signature fundraising event will be bigger and better than ever!

STEP UP for WAYSIDE 2021 at FirstOntario Centre on Saturday, November 6th 2021!

Join Wayside’s community of clients, staff, and friends in walking, running, or taking a “virtual journey” to support us in your own community, on your own time. All money raised will support vital programs and service for those in recovery and increase access to lifesaving addiction treatment that helps change the life trajectory of fathers, brothers, sons, neighbours, and friends. Wayside serves males eighteen and up from across Ontario.

Since 1967, Wayside has provided integrated residential addiction treatment and supportive housing with 60 integrated beds.  We have also provided comprehensive and accessible ‘Forever Aftercare’ TM.  Wayside’s services are evidence based and trauma informed.  Wayside is accredited by the Canadian Centre for Accreditation which is based on our commitment to best practices and on-going quality improvement.

In the last year, Wayside served over 420 men.  We completed 306 individual assessments, 16,008 face-to-face engagements, provided 7,716 treatment groups, experienced an 84% reduction in Emergency Room visits and served 34,980 meals.  88% of Wayside’s clients established reconnection with family and/or their identified close supports.  Wayside is a provincial resource removing geographical barriers to care.  Funded in part by Ontario Health, Wayside is accountable to the Public Trust.  Clients are never denied services by inability to pay.

For every dollar you invest in Wayside, $7.00 in taxpayer savings is realized. Hospitals are expensive, yet that is where far too many individuals end up instead of receiving our help. Hospital “hallway medicine” is inappropriate and unacceptable. We must do better. We can do better.

If ever there was a time to invest in addiction services, that time is now. And our signature fundraising event is an ideal platform – participation and revenue growth in past years are an indication of the popularity of STEP UP for Wayside and the community’s support of our vital programs and services. This year, with your support and the leadership of Honorary Co-Chairs Reid Coolsaet and Michael O’Riordan, we can continue this momentum.

FAQ

IS THERE A FUNDRAISING MINIMUM?

There is no fundraising minimum. That being said, we recommend setting an aspirational (but achievable!) goal to reach by the end of October!

​CAN I COLLECT DONATIONS OFFLINE?

Absolutely! Collect your donations and add them in as offline donations to your personal fundraising page.

hOW DO I BECOME A SPONSOR?

Please contact regan.anderson@gmail.com for more information