On March 7, 2018 we're going to spend “A Night in the Life” of a homeless youth. We'll get a tour of the streets from homeless youth themselves, try a homelessness simulator, eat a typical meal and then sleep out overnight on the streets.

We are doing this because although we know we are only going to get a glimpse into what it's really like, we hope to learn more about the challenges faced by homeless youth in downtown Vancouver and raise much-needed funds for Directions Youth Services; an organization that provides support to at-risk, homeless, or street-involved Youth under 25. 

Most of the homeless youth in Vancouver have had a brutal start in life. They are 3 times more likely to be physically or sexually abused than other youth. They have mental illness and addictions. They have had bad experiences with adults and various government “systems”, so they don’t want to ask for help. Approximately 40% of these young people are aboriginal. Around 30% identify as LGBTQ2S. If they don't get help, their lives will probably only get worse.

Directions is "low-barrier". That means they work with the most challenging, troubled youth out there. They feed them. Listen to them. Believe in them. They don't give up on them. They help them get homes and educations. Their methods work -- they’ve helped hundreds of youth get off the streets and build good lives for themselves. (See a touching card from a youth they've helped here.)

Please help us help Directions make a difference. Just click "Sponsor Us" to make a donation. Every bit helps.

Thanks in advance for considering a donation to Directions Youth Services.