The Windsor Residence for Young Men's second annual Coldest Night Out is underway just east of South Walkerville.
Executive Director Greg Goulin says the charitable organization supports young men 16 to 24 years of old with the goal of getting them off the streets and on their way to building a new life.
More than two dozen volunteers took pledges to see how long they can survive in sub-zero temperatures in an industrial lot on St. Luke Rd. near Seminole St. Friday night from 5pm to 7am.
"You have what you can carry on your back and you have $18. Okay, 5pm tonight to 7am tomorrow morning, let's see how long you can last, you can leave anytime," he says.
Goulin tells AM800 News the event is part fundraiser, and part awareness campaign.
He hopes it instills a new sense of empathy for the homeless.
"Even those who last the night know that at 7am they're going home to a warm home, a warm meal, a warm bath, and a good bed," says Goulin. "Think of the homeless person, this is just one night and then what happens tomorrow night?"
Money raised does more than just feed young men in the region; Goulin says it helps empower them to take care of themselves.
"How many people stay over how many nights is meaningless, but this is what significant to us, the number of guys we actually get off the street for good," he says.
Goulin says more than $11,000 was raised for the Centre at the event last year.
He says the residence will continue to take donations for the event through their website.