Push for Change founder Joe Roberts was presented with the Doctorate of Letters at Laurentian University Convocation Thursday at the Georgian Theatre.
Roberts, a former homeless youth and drug addict, began pushing a shopping cart across Canada on May 1 to raise awareness and money to end youth homelessness.
The Barrie man wowed the audience of Laurentian grads with his inspiring story of rising from rock bottom, returning to school and becoming a hugely successful businessman.
"Life has a way of 'lifing' us," said Roberts who told the crowd of mostly young people that life owes you nothing and may even knock you down.
But he said the only thing to do is "to get back up and keep walking."
Roberts returns to Ontario with The Push for Change this fall and plans to be in Barrie New Year's eve.
