After the first of its kind youth homelessness count in Kamloops found over a hundred kids had experienced homelessness over the previous year, a second count will be held next month.
A Way Home Youth Homelessness Manager Katherine McParland says they have partnered with the school district with all grade ten students participating in this year’s survey.
McParland says the hope is that there will be a marked improvement after last year’s count made horrific discoveries, like young girls trading sex for food and shelter.
“That is my hope and that is the purpose of the youth homelessness count to see a reduction year after year. The last year it was really helpful. We were able to identify 129 youth who had experienced homelessness with 56 of those kids currently homeless the week of October 13th to 21st. That information really gave us the information that we needed to push for change.”
The count will be held from May 8th to 10th.