Halton Police launch 4th annual Kozy Kids initiative

By Laura Steiner, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Milton Reporter

The Halton Regional Police have launched their 4th annual Kozy Kids initiative to provide warm winter clothing to underserved youth in the region.

Until October 31, residents and businesses are encouraged to donate new snow suits (sizes 6-16) by dropping them off at collection boxes located at 2485 North Service Road West, Oakville; 3800 Constable Henshaw Boulevard, Burlington; 95 Oak Walk Drive, Oakville; 490 Childs Drive, Milton; and 217 Guelph Street, Georgetown.

Kozy Kids was launched in 2021 after HRPS constables discovered that many children, including newcomers, were missing school during winter due to a lack of appropriate clothing. The program has since grown, with 105 students in Milton alone receiving snow suits in its first year, and 475 and 282 youth being clothed in 2022 and 2023, respectively. This year, the goal is to distribute over 1,000 snowsuits.

New this year, each snowsuit will feature a coat tag in five languages (English, Spanish, Mandarin, Arabic, and Urdu) advising families on how to report hate and bias-motivated incidents to the police.

Inspector Bruce Dickson, who oversees the Youth Engagement Team and the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Unit, said: “It’s heartbreaking to know that some youth are missing school and are unable to enjoy the outdoors during the winter months because they don’t have a warm snow suit.”

“What’s even more upsetting is imagining the same people who need our support being the targets of incidents that are motivated by hate or bias. Those beliefs and behaviours have no place in our community, and we want residents to know that we’ve got their backs covered – not just when it comes to reporting such incidents, but in keeping youth warm over the winter.”