For the second year in a row, nearly 20 volunteers from the Toronto Office organized a Youth Engagement Day with Youth Without Shelter (YWS). The aim of the event is to provide a day of fun for the 50 homeless youth who call YWS home each night, and to expose them to positive role models through interactive games and activities.
The theme for this year’s event was “Minute to Win it”, based on games from the TV show of the same name. Concert volunteers participated with the youth team as Team Facilitators, hosted game stations with activities, purchased and prepared the lunchtime BBQ, and played icebreaker and closing games.
“By creating an environment founded on teamwork, growth and friendship, we hope the youth can increase their level of comfort and trust with newly met adults as well as improve on basic behavior skills,” says Concert Vice President, Eastern Region, Andrew Gray. “Now officially an annual event, Youth Engagement Day is something that we at Concert look forward to each year.”
At the inception of The Kip District, Concert sought out a worthwhile cause in an effort to give back to the local community. Youth Without Shelter is Etobicoke’s singular emergency residence and referral agency serving homeless youth aged 16-25. For every suite purchased Concert is donating a portion of proceeds to YWS to provide emergency accommodation for one homeless youth for the equivalent of one month. With 283 suites, an overall donation of $213,000 will ultimately be given in support of YWS’s Adopt-A-Bed program.