What We Do
What is homelessness?
According to the Canadian Definition of Homelessness, homelessness is “the situation of an individual, family, or community without stable, safe, permanent, appropriate housing, or the immediate prospect means and ability of acquiring it.”
It is important to note that this definition does not fully encompass every experience of homelessness. There are many different groups of people who are affected in vastly different ways, and every individual’s experience is unique. Homelessness is not strictly an issue of housing instability. These differences are important when considering methods of addressing homelessness, as one strategy does not suit every community equally.
Our Mission
To spread campus-wide awareness of youth homelessness while working with our partner non-profit organization, Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS), who provide support for at-risk youth.
What does the campaign entail?
The original idea for 5 Days for the Homeless is for participants to sleep outside for 5 nights to raise awareness for youth homelessness and donations for organizations who support them. Participants agree to go 5 days without personal comforts that we often take for granted, such as access to showers, a warm bed, or a kitchen with food, all while having to rely on family, friends, and strangers to provide necessities like food and beverages since participants are not permitted to spend personal money or donations for the duration of the campaign. In addition, these students are expected to attend all classes and write scheduled exams.
Our Response to Homelessness
At 5 Days, we know that youth homelessness is much more than simply not having a roof over your head. We have worked with YESS to create this iceberg analogy of what youth homelessness actually is.
The 10% of the iceberg that is above water represents the aspects of homelessness that are visual that we can see, such as not having the common luxuries such as a roof over our heads.
The 90% of the iceberg that is underwater includes the aspects of homelessness that others cannot see. This 90% is filled with fear, trauma, broken relationships, anger, and uncertainty. These are the facets of homelessness that can’t be experienced by what we’re doing, but we are using the awareness we gather from sleeping outside to spread the message about the other 90% and that homelessness is much more than simply sleeping outside.
Our Goals for 2024
$20,000
In monetary donations for Youth Empowerment & Support Services (YESS).
Greater Awareness
For YESS and youth homelessness by forming strategic external partnerships to create more local events.