The Executive Director of A Way Home Kamloops is calling on the community to support the third annual camp out to end youth homelessness, which is set for next Friday.

Katherine McParland says they are only about halfway to their $50,000 goal, and she admits it is a bit nerve-wracking.

“We’re very concerned,” she said. “If we don’t achieve our goal, it will limit the number of youth that we are able to take off the street and provide housing and support to next year.”

McParland says A Way Home Kamloops was able to open up 24 housing units this year, and she says they hope to open up another 10 next year.

“It’s just been a hard year for the sector in general. I know Kamloops is a last minute town, so my hope is that everyone will get on board and be able to help us achieve our goal,” McParland added.

“We rely on this funding to be able to continue reducing the number of youth experiencing homelessness.”

She says a youth homelessness count last year identified 136 youth who had experienced homelessness. She also noted that 75 youth were stuck on a waiting list because A Way Home Kamloops wasn’t able to help them due to limited resources.

The camp out to end youth homelessness is set for Dec. 13 at McDonald Park, and so far, there are 36 people who have signed up to spend the night outdoors.