By: Safiya Dina
As of 2019, an estimated 235,000 Canadians experience homelessness each year, in which 20% of the homeless population are young people aged 16-24. Youth homelessness numbers have been growing at an alarming rate over the past 5 years. According to Homeward Trust Edmonton, there are 1874 Edmontonians experiencing homelessness, with 10% of them being 13-24 years old. Among the homeless youth population, 61% identify as Indigenous.
In general, the pathways into and out of homelessness are neither linear nor uniform. Individuals and families who experience homelessness may not share much in common with each other, aside from the fact that they are extremely vulnerable, and lack adequate housing and income and the necessary supports to ensure they stay housed.
Did you know it only costs an estimated $30,000 to $40,000 a year to keep a youth in the shelter system and over $100,000 per year to keep one youth in detention! There is a long way to go in eradicating homelessness. The myth around homelessness being a burden on society needs to be eradicated.
Homelessness doesn’t place a burden on our economy, choosing not to address it does.
Helping Hands for Homeless Youth was established in 2014. Our student group's primary goal is to empower homeless youth in Edmonton by helping provide them with the necessary resources, support, and opportunities to help brighten their futures and break the cycle of homelessness. We are partnered with Edmonton's Youth Empowerment & Support Services (YESS) and the Old Strathcona Youth Society (OSYS).
This year, during the COVID-19 pandemic, our traditional events such as the Street Store were replaced by virtual and contactless events to help fundraise for the youth shelter. Since our group values include enhancing individuals' overall wellbeing, we wanted to host events that would bring students together during this difficult time spent apart.
This semester, we plan to continue hosting virtual events, like paint night, fitness night, a cooking session with the Campus Food Bank and so much more. In addition to these events, our talented media team is working on a journal series project entitled "Youth Stories," which discusses how COVID-19 and its restrictions have affected homeless youth and those involved in homeless youth organizations
on a personal level.
Helping Hands for Homeless Youth also has an amazing team of volunteers who provide virtual tutoring sessions to students from 10th to 12th grade through the YESS shelter. Our tutors specialize in a variety of subjects including Science, Math, Language Arts, Social Sciences, Chemistry and Biology.
We're so excited for what we have planned for this semester and we're looking forward to collaborating with Plan UAlberta to help give back to the Edmonton community. If you're interested in learning more information about our group or wanting to become a general member, you can reach out to us through any of the following:
Our website https://helpingh2.wixsite.com/uofa
Our Instagram @HHHY_UofA
Our Facebook @Helping Hands for Homeless Youth
Our email helpingh@ualberta.ca
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