In January, the Out of the Cold Program marked its 25th anniversary of providing meals and temporary shelter to homeless people.

With the support and guidance of Sister Susan Moran, the program was started in 1987 by the students of St. Michael’s school after they befriended a homeless man who was sleeping in one of the school’s doorways. 

Unfortunately, he died shortly thereafter.

Following the man’s death, the students and Sr. Susan began discussing ways of reducing homelessness.

Sr. Susan then connected with various faith groups across Toronto with the idea that they would organize groups of volunteers at each Church and Synagogue to provide a safe haven for homeless people.

No names were added to the homeless memorial on Tuesday. So nobody died last month, right? Not necessarily.

Even if there were no homeless deaths last month, things are definitely not getting better for homeless people in Toronto or across the country. 

Or so it seems.

“Usually what I do each month is bring you bad news,” says Michael Shapcott, housing and anti-poverty activist.

“And there’s lots of bad news I could talk about this month for those that want their bad news fix.”

Every month people gather on the second Tuesday outside the Church of the Holy Trinity to remember those who’ve died on the streets. 

He hugged everyone.

Even if he didn’t know you that well, he’d still wrap his burly arm around your shoulder as if you were a long lost friend. “How are you doing friend?” he’d ask. 

It was just his way. He loved people.

So when Danny Antonioni died of lung cancer last week at aged 53, it left the homeless advocacy community in shock. 

He’d been homeless for a big chunk of his life but was housed for at least the last five years. A loyal supporter of  the Toronto Disaster Relief Committee (TDRC) and the Ontario Coalition Against Poverty (OCAP). 

Embraced and supported by both groups.