My life took a drastic turn on March 01 when I, along with my best friend of 10 years and her infant child, were illegally evicted from our home with less than three hours notice. We found refuge at D.U.O., a primary safe haven, sleeping shelter and warming center cafe in Oshawa. My two-year-old Emotional Therapy Pet/Suicide Prevention Service Dog who also resides here now. However, the future looks bleak as this vital facility is threatened with closure due to the removal of provincial government funding.

D.U.O., scheduled to close on April 01, 2024, currently provides shelter for over 600 individuals who will be left homeless if it shuts down. This will result in an overflow of homeless people gathering on the streets of Oshawa for survival purposes - a situation that is both human rights abuse and animal rights abuse.

This issue is not just personal to me but affects hundreds who rely on D.U.O.'s services for survival during harsh winter months. The loss of this facility would mean celebrating my daughter's 11th birthday without a roof over our heads.

We urge you, would you kindly, sign this petition to prevent the closure of D.U.O., thereby ensuring that those most vulnerable among us are not left out in the cold literally and figuratively. Your signature can make a difference by pressuring local authorities into reinstating funding for this crucial service which serves as more than just a shelter; it's home for many like us struggling through difficult times.