
The 2021 Campout to End Youth Homelessness in Kamloops. (Photo via A Way Home Kamloops)
The 6th annual Campout to End Youth Homelessness is kicking off this Friday in Kamloops.
The annual fundraiser taking place at McDonald Park invites community members to spend the night outside in cardboard boxes – in honor of youth who are without a home.
McKenna Smith, a Youth Advisor with Away Home Kamloops says she got involved with the initiative back in 2019 to try and help raise awareness around the lack of support for homeless youth in BC.
“I think we have raised a lot of awareness, we have done government collaborations, in extending the age gap so more youth can access services, now 14 to 27 are considered a youth and they can hopefully find more supports and services.”
Mel Hedch, a youth advisor with Away Home Kamloops says she got involved after she received very little support once she started aging out of government care.
“At first I actually struggled to get on a youth agreement and it was kind of making those connections where I was doing everything by myself and what I was equipped with. I feel like there weren’t the supports that I needed around me to support my independence or to show me what I could do.”
Hedch says they hope the Campout to End Youth Homelessness will unify Kamloopsians from all walks of life.
On top of that, they are hoping to raise $150,000 this year, with all donations going towards supports and services for homeless youth.
“Beyond the monetary donations, it is about community strength and I find it a way to honour Catherine’s memory and further her legacy. The funds raised give hope to marginalized youth and help prevent people like me from slipping through the cracks.”
Currently, $78,000 of their $150,000 goal has been raised this year for the Campout to End Youth Homelessness in Kamloops.
Anyone looking to sign up for the campout, or anyone wanting to donate, can go to the Away Home Kamloops website.