McMaster student duo develops care kits for unhoused people in need

Two McMaster students have paired up to provide some important help for people who are unhoused, and people who just need some support.

It all started when undergraduate student Myra Godara reached out to medical student Ryan Ho.

The pair discussed the need for basic hygiene items, like toothbrushes and razors.

They put their heads together to come up with complete hygiene clips.

“Typically, when you think of things that you need versus want, I kind of was like, ‘why don’t we just have everything?’,” said Godara. “So usually people ask for necessities, like a toothbrush and toothpaste, but I wanted to go beyond that, because a lot of people – they care a lot about their hygiene.”

Godara and Ho then partnered with the Hamilton YMCA to help give them to people who are most in need.

“Myra also just happened to reach out at a really good time where we had some grant funding open,” said Ho. “So I saw an open window and I said ‘we should apply’, because this is exactly what the organization, the Ontario Medical Students Association, wants to support at the local level.”

These kits are being distributed through YMCAs in Hamilton, Niagara and Kitchener-Waterloo.

The pair are looking for funding help to expand this program across the province.

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