Five U of G business students have given up their comfort this week and will spend 5 full days and nights living outside in Branion Plaza in support of 5 Days for the Homeless [1]. The national initiative sees universities across Canada raise awareness of youth homelessness, and raise money in an effort to stop it from happening in our communities.
This year, the campaign has a fundraising goal of $5,000 in support of Wyndham House [2] in Guelph, an organization that works toward preventing, reducing and ending youth homelessness.
As part of the campaign, volunteers – “sleepers” – spend the week living outside to experience what it is like to be homeless in Canada. They are not allowed possessions, and all food, drink, and clothing must be donated by passersby.
This year’s sleepers are:
- Lauren De Cloet
- Liam Ireland
- Emily Doucette-Ferraro
- Richard Scott
- Isobel Shepherd
Both the sleepers and the College of Business and Economics Student Association (CBESA) will be collecting donations in Branion Plaza until Friday, March 16th. The CBESA is also holding a number of events [3] throughout the week in an effort to help raise money and awareness.
Donations to the campaign can also be made online [1].
