This winter, brave the cold and walk in the shoes of a young person facing homelessness.
March 3, 2022 will mark 360°kids' 9th annual 360°Experience to raise funds and awareness for youth homelessness.
The unique event is called "experience" for a reason.
Similar organizations fundraise by having participants simply sleep outdoors. The 360°Experience is not just about sleeping outdoors but rather an opportunity to gain a true understanding of what homeless youth go through, in the bitter cold, every night, said Lesley Sims, director of resource development at 360°kids.
"We really want to differentiate and make it more of an experience for the people to understand because our challenges at York Region are more difficult than downtown (Toronto). There are more shelters, whereas in York Region our shelters are vast distance-wise. We have transportation challenges, we don't have a subway. A young person who is homeless in Stouffville how do they get to a shelter in Richmond Hill?"
Participants in small groups are given a real-life scenario of a youth who has found themselves homeless and who has been helped by 360°kids.
"We take them through things that represent what young people have to experience on a night on the street in the cold," said Sims.
The groups are given $3 and bus fare and are sent off into the night to find a York Region shelter. It seems easy enough. But what if the only shelter that will take you is a two hour bus ride away? What if you get there and the shelter is full?
"Many of the times the next morning they're like 'I had no idea the challenges that these young people have,' and so we think that's exactly what we want you to feel. It's not a fun night but it is an eye-opening experience to know what young people have to go through," said Sims.
The following morning participants are a little tired at school or work but it's nothing a good nights' sleep won't fix. For homeless youth it's the same scenario night after night.
"For kids that are in school struggling to try to stay in school, you just did this for one night but imagine having to do this night after night. No wonder kids dropout of school, no wonder kids are dealing with mental health issues."
360°kids is hoping to raise at least $150,000 from this year's event.
Last year's event was virtual due to the pandemic and according to Sims, it was an opportunity to engage more community members, including a large amount of students, who were able to participate from the safety of their backyard.
This year, individuals can choose which way they'd like to participate in the "one event, two ways."
A minimum of $2,000 must be raised to participate in the in-person experience and a minimum of $100 must be raised for the virtual experience.
Both versions begin at 8:00 p.m. and conclude at 6:00 a.m. and both groups of participants will receive support throughout the night from staff members.
To register, visit the 360°kids website.
