Taking Responsibility - Ipsos Sleeps on the Streets to Help Raise Funds and Awareness for Homeless in Vancouver
On November 17, Michael Rodenburgh, Ipsos in Vancouver was among 49 executives who slept outside in solidarity with the hundreds of young people who call Vancouver's streets home, to raise funds for Covenant House Vancouver's Crisis Programme.
The Annual Sleep Out, in its 5th year, invites business leaders across North America to sleep out on the streets, and raise funds and awareness for the challenges faced by homeless youth. The Annual Sleep Out has resulted in substantial contributions to fight against youth homelessness, with 92% of all funds going directly to Covenant House programmes and youth.
Michael recalls the stark differences between his night slept out on the streets and the morning after. "I reflected on my evening, and the obvious juxtaposition of the environments I just experienced," noting that after a brief experience of what many homeless youth deal with, he would soon be getting ready for an early morning meeting and his duties at work.
"It made me feel very lucky for what I have" Michael noted, looking back at the experience. Before leaving, Michael and the executives who took part were able to meet with three young adults who had been assisted by Covenant House. "Two of the three had enrolled in university, and one was just about to finish his degree!"
In the days leading up to the Sleep Out, Michael collected donations from family, friends, and Ipsos employees from both the Vancouver and Toronto offices. In total, Michael raised money for Covenant House and contributed to the overall total of $615,370 raised by everyone who took part.
Covenant House is a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping homeless, runaway and at-risk youth between the ages of 16 and 24. The organisation works to address the obstacles faced by youth, and provides crisis care and short-term housing.
