It's here! - who we are and what we're going to do

It's here! Hey everyone, we're so glad to have you here with us today and we wanted to give our largest thanks to all our caring volunteers, generous sponsors and kind supporters! We wouldn't have been able to get this far without you and we can't wait to see where the rest of this journey will take us! In this blog post, we wanted to give you a better idea of what this organization is, what we're going to do with it, and who we are as co-founders! We hope you enjoy and don't forget to check out the rest of our website for updates on events, volunteer opportunities and more! More posts will be coming soon covering not only information about our organization, but about homelessness itself and all the ways you can help!

Who are we?

If you are new to Power to the Youth, don't fret! We love talking about who we are and what we do, because it spreads out the word about our initiative and raises awareness about the importance of youth homelessness! Essentially, we are a youth-led organization, led by two grade 9 students situated in Vaughan. Coming together with all of you as a team, we are hoping to combat youth homelessness in Toronto. We are using this organization as a platform to spread the word about this crisis and gain donations that would allow us to create care packages. All donations and funds would come from the community or our sponsors and would go directly to the creation of the care packages. After enough donations are received and the care packages are assembled, we will personally deliver them to one of four youth shelters/humanitarian organizations that we are currently partnered with including: the Covenant House, Horizons 4 Youth, Ve'ahavta and 360 Kids. Once we gain enough growth, we are hoping to expand our borders, not only helping those here in Toronto, but all around the world! Homelessness at such an age is a tremendously difficult and isolating challenge that shouldn't be fought alone. It is our moral duty to help others because it is only together that we can accomplish the greatest of things!

What do our care packages include?

Through extensive research and reflection, as well as thorough discussion with the shelters, we have decided to include the following products in our care packages:

• Socks

• Used clothing (including boxers, briefs and underwear)

• Non-perishables

• Hygiene products (including toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, lotion, lip balm, etc.)

• COVID-19 protection tools (hand sanitizers, masks, etc.)

• Period Products

• Water bottles

Thanks to our amazing volunteers, we are also going to include encouraging cards in our care packages, to keep the spirits lifted of the youth. There are also cards directed to the staff of the shelters, who are putting in that extra effort to overcome the additional barriers that the COVID-19 pandemic lays. During the winter, we will add more products that will permit the warmth of the homeless, such as blankets and gloves (chance for a volunteer opportunity!). If you have any more ideas on what we should include, please feel free to reach out!

Where are we at right now?

Currently, we have a stable Instagram platform, as well as an up-and-coming website, Google Classroom and Go Fund Me page. Our Instagram page is where we will be outsourcing to volunteers and sponsors, as well as through email. Our website will be focused on posting updates about our organization, as well as spreading awareness for this valuable cause. Our Google Classroom will be a platform principally for our volunteers, to remain updated on opportunities as well as an easy way to access answers to any of their questions. Our Go Fund Me page will be targeted to those who are not able to donate tangible items, yet still want to support us and our cause! At the moment, we have received a few donations from a variety of sponsors and are partnered with the shelters listed above. We have a steady income of volunteers, of which many have already contributed a significant amount of amazing work. Therefore, we are now working to gain donations, through community fundraising and sponsors, to be able to create our packages!

Now, remember, on any given day, over 8,700 people in Toronto are experiencing homelessness. This can affect everyone and this will affect you. Find ways to help, support Power to the Youth.