A near universal symbol for those living on the street is hoped to be the catalyst for a major fundraiser directed toward youth housing and other supports. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

push for change

Shopping cart trek to raise money for Nanaimo’s homeless youth

Feb 9, 2024 | 3:14 PM

NANAIMO — A parade of shopping carts coming through the city in late May is hoping to be a literal ‘Push for Change’.

Led by Nanaimo Youth Services Association (NYSA) and local Rotary Clubs, teams of four people will push shopping carts from Chase River to Nanaimo’s north end on May 25, raising money and awareness for youth homelessness.

Amy Worth, director of development and communications with NYSA, told NanaimoNewsNOW youth in the community face an “incredibly difficult” time accessing supports and services due to stigma, opportunity or availability.

“While there’s over 100 youth [aged 13-24] who are unhoused, a lot of time the community doesn’t see them on the streets. If they do, they’re attached to another individual or they’re hiding more so, they’re less visible than the adult population.”

A large number couch surf or sleep in their cars, or if left with no other options, some youth will sleep on local streets.

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The lucky few will gain access to limited shelter space in the community, but visibility and available services are major roadblocks.

Worth said NYSA is expecting new data, due soon, to show a roughly 30 per cent increase in youth homelessness over recent years.

“Creating the services available for those individuals, but also trying to decrease the stigma by saying ‘hey, sometimes you just need a leg up.’ We live in this world where you can’t get housing without a job and you can’t get a job without housing, so it’s that vicious cycle competing against them.”

The goal of ‘Push for Change Nanaimo’ is to raise $50,000 to help fund NYSA’s housing-related programs and services.

Participants must raise $200 each prior to attending with more collected on the day.

“They walk Nanaimo’s south end to Nanaimo’s north end pushing shopping cart which is the universal homeless symbol, with the hope that the community will meet the walkers at one of our many stops along the way and contribute refundable bottles and cans and other donations.”

Stations will be set up at five major shopping centres (South Parkway Plaza, Port Place Shopping Centre, Brooks Landing, Country Club Centre and Woodgrove Centre) to collect refundables and other donations too.

The 19.7 kilometre journey is expected to take up to six hours.

In addition to NYSA staff and volunteers, upwards of 200 local Rotarians will be asked to lend a hand.

Nanaimo North Rotary Club’s Ken Hammer said it’s an event which aligns nicely with Rotary’s goals.

“We’re seeing a bit of a revival in membership, a lot of people do want to give back to the community so Push for Change is an excellent opportunity for us to be involved.”

More information, including registration, is available on the fundraiser’s website.

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