WE CARE

Youth homelessness is something that students care passionately about because they can relate to all young people having the desire to have a home. Our We Act group has been working the last two years fundraising for our local shelter for youth here in Fredericton, Youth in Transition. The group has held a dance the last two falls, with funds going directly to house costs like food and other household expenses. We call this fundraiser “Hip Hop for the Homeless” and our students have risen over $1000 each year for this worthwhile cause.

One of the things the shelter does not have for the kids is the ability to do things that are just “fun”. Youth are given food, shelter and transportation to school and doctor appointments, but it is not often they get to do outings or other things like the movies or eating out or even ski passes. These things are not in the already tight budget needed to run a home for homeless youth that relies on donations alone.

For Christmas, the WE ACT group would like to do a “FUN” basket for the kids, and stockings. The basket could have movie money, restaurant vouchers, adult coloring books and other items that the youth could do for entertainment. The stockings could have candy, but also things like hygiene items.

Youth could bring more attention to the needs of the shelter, and the fact that some youth do not have a home to spend Christmas in. The basket items could be used throughout the winter, and be used in a way that residents could enjoy.

Update (June 29, 2017)

Our WeAct group had an initiative at Christmas time to reach out to our chosen charity, Youth in Transition. Since YIT is a shelter for homeless teens, our group knows that having things to do and socializing is important to young people. Our group put together stockings and activities for the youth to do over the holiday season. Crafts, colouring books and movie passes were part of the care package the kids put together along with homemade Christmas cards.