5 Days for the Homeless
The next organization we will be taking a look at is 5 Days for the Homeless! They are a student-led campaign with a mission to raise awareness and donations for Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS), a local charity focused on youth homelessness prevention and support for homeless youth through youth employment and support services.
5D4H raises awareness through a number of events throughout the year. Each year they host a 5 day event in which participants sleep outside for 5 nights to raise awareness for youth homelessness and donations for organizations who support them. Participants agree to go 5 days without personal comforts that we often take for granted, such as access to showers, a warm bed, or a kitchen with food, all while having to rely on family, friends, and strangers to provide necessities like food and beverages since participants are not permitted to spend personal money or donations for the duration of the campaign.
Funds raised through donations focus on four main concepts. The first is prevention and diversion out of homelessness. This is done through providing proactive resources for youth and their caregivers, and finding appropriate housing for youth before they become homeless. The second focus is healing trauma through relationships. The third focus is collaboration. Working together with other organizations and being in line with local, provincial and national plans aid in creating a holistic approach to addressing homelessness. Lastly, there is a focus on walking beside youth to minimize falling through gaps.
Although recruitment for VP Members has closed, 5 Days for the Homeless provides volunteer opportunities and events allowing students to become involved later in the year! For more information about 5D4H, their mission and volunteering opportunities check out their website here!