One third of Canada's homeless population is between the ages of 16 and 25 years. That's a staggering figure, but the truth is that these youth are no different from you and me. They just need a bit of guidance, a place to crash and a few adults they can trust to show them the way.
An annual fundraising campaign was begun yesterday. One of the staff at the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth called it a BBQ and Block Heater party, but the truth is that the festivities are part of the annual Raising the Roof/Chez Toit campaign. The campaign's local kick off took place at a youth drop-in centre with a bar-b-que which was held on the street. Elm street is a very busy thoroughfare, so there's no better place to set up camp. Some of the youth manned the bar-b-que, offering hot dogs and sausages to passers by (cost of $3 or $4 each), and if the passerby agreed to buy a touque (at a cost of $10), they were treated to a can of pop.
Most of the proceeds from the sale of touques stays in the community where it's sold. Of the $10 earned, only two dollars are sent back to the national campaign office. The rest stays in the community to help fund programs for needy youth. Touques can be purchased either from local youth shelters or online at the website above.
For the past year (or is it two by now), some of these youth have been taking part in a community kitchen which is run in this parish. It's been really great to get to know some of them, and to watch them learn some valuable life skills. Each time we meet, there are stories to be told, adventures to be lived, and roles to be modeled. You never know what lessons will be learned when, and when they will be needed most.
An annual fundraising campaign was begun yesterday. One of the staff at the Sudbury Action Centre for Youth called it a BBQ and Block Heater party, but the truth is that the festivities are part of the annual Raising the Roof/Chez Toit campaign. The campaign's local kick off took place at a youth drop-in centre with a bar-b-que which was held on the street. Elm street is a very busy thoroughfare, so there's no better place to set up camp. Some of the youth manned the bar-b-que, offering hot dogs and sausages to passers by (cost of $3 or $4 each), and if the passerby agreed to buy a touque (at a cost of $10), they were treated to a can of pop.
Most of the proceeds from the sale of touques stays in the community where it's sold. Of the $10 earned, only two dollars are sent back to the national campaign office. The rest stays in the community to help fund programs for needy youth. Touques can be purchased either from local youth shelters or online at the website above.
For the past year (or is it two by now), some of these youth have been taking part in a community kitchen which is run in this parish. It's been really great to get to know some of them, and to watch them learn some valuable life skills. Each time we meet, there are stories to be told, adventures to be lived, and roles to be modeled. You never know what lessons will be learned when, and when they will be needed most.
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