Youth Haven's 2nd Annual Backyard Campout for Youth is looking for a few good campers to raise money to support the organization’s many costs.
Any night between Friday, July 30 and Monday, Aug. 2, supporters are asked to camp out in their backyard, a campground, their living room or any location of their choice.
The event will help raise money for youth who are experiencing homelessness within the community.
Youth Haven executive director Lucy Growers told BarrieToday the inaugural event took place last year during the Civic Holiday weekend and is returning this summer.
“We hope that many families, friends and community partners will join us as we camp out for all youth who rely on our services and be the difference in their lives,” said Growers. “If there are no beds, youth experiencing homelssness will resort to sleeping wherever they can. Last year we raised $2,425 and this year our goal is $5,000.”
Participants are being asked to photograph or record video of their evening, and share on social media using the hashtag #byc4youthhaven.
Youth Haven is Simcoe County's only emergency shelter for youth experiencing homelessness. In addition to emergency shelter, Youth Haven provides outreach services and programs for youth at risk of becoming homeless in Barrie, Orillia, Midland, southern Georgian Bay and south Simcoe.
Growers said the pandemic hasn’t stopped homelessness. Youth Haven staff continues to provide the necessary support and resources to help youth experiencing homelessness transform their lives for the better, while keeping them safe from COVID-19.
“Our focus continues to be minimizing the risk for our youth, staff and everyone else we come into contact with,” said Growers. “We have been implementing all safety procedures and ensuring that proper precautions are being taken. Our outreach staff are continuing to virtually provide services to their clients, providing them with meals and care packages as needed, while advocating for them, helping them navigate adult systems, and teaching them coping skills to manage the world they live in.”
Money raised from the camp out will go to help Youth Haven’s housing supports, employment and educational supports, mental health supports, and access to community resources, which have continued through the last 15 months.
The Youth Haven shelter has since moved into a hotel to provide a level of COVID-19 safety not possible at the smaller shelter.
“We are able to accommodate 26 youth at capacity and generally house 18-20 youth a night,” said Growers.
“Currently, after having seven youth move into permanent housing for the beginning of June, we have 12 youth residing in the emergency shelter and 11 youth residing in our Transitional Housing Program.”
With youth mental health being an issue always but particularly during the pandemic, Growers said the youth, for the most part, have adapted well to the changes that come from Youth Haven as an agency, as well as the changes coming from the Province.
“Youth are resilient and the staff have made it a priority to educate and update them on the ever-shifting changes that continually arise,” said Growers. “Youth feel safe when there's stability so we have made it our top priority to offer the best version of that, given the uncertainty we constantly find ourselves in. We are staffed 24/7. Our Barrie Outreach team meets, at minimum once a week, with any youth that are in need of support.”
To start a fundraising team for the camp out or to sponsor it, head to the link here.
