"We want to show others that it is possible to bring real, meaningful change to the community no matter who you are."
Grade 12 student Izabela Fabbro is one of 18 Gleneagle Secondary teens hoping the public understands why they're choosing to spend a night under potentially poor conditions this week.
And she says they're prepared to face the elements between Thursday evening (April 21) and Friday morning (April 22), which could range anywhere from loud vehicles passing by, to rain, snow and near-zero temperatures.
All because they know other young people in the region don't have a warm home with a roof over their heads to go to the next night.
"Homelessness can often seem like a distant issue — something that only happens to other people we have no connection to," Fabbro explains in an interview with the Tri-City News.
"It is important to realize that this is something occurring right here in our community and to people our own age. Teenagers should be focused on spending time with friends or on their schoolwork, not whether they’ll be able to eat or have a safe place to sleep that night."
The ninth Gleneagle SleepOut will see Fabbro and her classmates sleep outside the Coquitlam school on cardboard.
While they'll each have a sleeping bag as well, the student-organized event is set to give a glimpse into what homeless youth regularly endure: muscles in pain, little to no sleep at all and, above all, isolation.
The group is already above and beyond its $2,500 fundraising goal — just under $3,000 as of this publication (April 18) — in which proceeds are set to benefit Covenant House's Youth Crisis program that offers a safe place to sleep for homeless youth aged 16 to 24.
For most of the students involved, this is either the first or second time they're choosing to sleep outside.
Co-leader and Grade 11 student Guy Min Jang says more needs to be done to break the stigma in addition to donating to local charities.
"[...] the issue of homeless youth in the Lower Mainland is still very prominent and in need of support to create positive change, and we will continue to strive to make a difference in our community to provide the hope and support that homeless youth need."
Fabbro, who's set to sleep outside for a fourth time, describes the 12-plus hours as an unpleasant, endless endeavour, but says she knows others are sleeping under worse conditions.
While her classmates are getting a small bit of relief with the sleeping bags, it's not fair at all to wake up with frozen toes, a bad back and impatience in your head while waiting for the sun to dawn a new day.
"If you’ve never experienced homelessness, it can be difficult to understand or relate to the experiences of those in our community who have," she explains.
"As someone who has grown up without ever needing to question if I’d have food or a place to sleep the next day, it is a good reminder of my privilege and that I need to do my part to help those who need it. I’m sure many of the other participants feel similarly."
Environment Canada is predicting wet conditions for late Thursday night, and SleepOut participants may see a series of rain showers to start with an overnight low of 5 C.
However, the national service is calling for sun and clouds on Friday morning.
So while relief may be in store for Fabbro and company, that doesn't change the group's message of using education to remove the stigma and break stereotypes surrounding youth homelessness.
"Homelessness is a persistent, complex issue that can seem daunting to approach. How do you even begin to tackle it? As a small group of high school students, we have been able to raise thousands of dollars for Covenant House’s Youth Crisis Program. We want to show others that it is possible to bring real, meaningful change to the community no matter who you are. All it takes is dedication towards a common goal."
Gleneagle has raised more than $40,000 for the non profit in the last eight years, including more than $5,000 from 2021's virtual edition in following health and safety protocols of the then state of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you wish to contribute to Gleneagle SleepOut's cause, you can visit its Covenant House donation page.
Funds are being accepted through until April 29.
"We would like to let youth who are experiencing it that they have not been forgotten about, that we see them, and that the Gleneagle community will continue to support them this year, and in the years to come," adds Fabbro, echoing her co-leaders Min Jang and Ruby Charney (Grade 11).
"Each year, I am blown away by the participants’ mindfulness and desire to help. [...] By supporting us, you can be confident your money will be put to good use providing food, shelter, educational resources, counseling, and the support they need to transition off the street."
