It feels like we’ve been at it for a week already. I’m finding it really hard to focus on school when I am so committed to 5 days. I should be doing my homework right now, but writing a blog seems soo much more worthwhile. Last night we slept on cement at GMAC. A stranger dropped off an emergency blanket at night and when we awoke in the morning, a bag filled with water, mouth wash, granola bars and a cash donation was laying at our side….
A lady we were in contact with today mentioned how at our age, she was homeless here in Edmonton. She hadn’t any idea about shelters and soup kitchens and considered homelessness a prison and a “death sentence” of sorts. I hope that through our efforts and your support, we are able to guide others, just like her, out of the hardship and struggle in order to find new light.
I’d love to take this time to talk about what we’ve learned as participants in this campaign. We just finished a heart to heart and all of us have had our highs and lows. Ultimately, we all feel extremely blessed to be part of this campaign. Regardless of how much money is raised, we are changing lives and as Frank, our “Godfather” figure and founder of 5 days keeps reminding us, one cannot put a price to changing a life. As Colin shared “we are part of something soo powerful that fuses us together, heck Ross sings us asleep at night”. So thank-you for all the support, it’s amazing to think of how much hope you have offered to the thousands of youth that pass through YESS’s front doors every year.
Taisa
I’m not looking forward to sleeping outside tonight. Point Blank.
We had a hard time falling asleep last night and awoke t0 30 professors peering down on us from a staff meeting held in the building we slept against. Awkward! When they clued in to what we were up to they left us with juice boxes and left over jalapeño croissants. Mmm breakfast. Throughout the day we received an overwhelming amount of support. Our campus is full of very generous people: ) Today we received brownies, muffins, rice, chicken kebabs, taco salad and TOOTHPASTE!!! It feels like a luxury.
So, right now I’m sitting here thinking I’d like to be home , all bundled up, and studying for tomorrow’s exam. But, that would be too easy. While only a day has passed, I’ll admit to being completely exhausted. I reached into my school bag at work (CaPs) today for a bite to eat and was quickly reminded that there is certainly no food or spare change hiding in there. While we will never truly know what it is like to be homeless, we are starting to realize how much we take for granted. A warm and comfortable bed for example, which is certainly a far cry from the metal grate, wooden pallet and cardboard that we slept on last night.
One thing that really made me smile today though is when I overheard a girl talking to her friend about Five Days. “Every year when 5 Days happens, I keep thinking that I can do more than just give money to the cause. It really makes me reflect on my own actions.” It’s hearing things like that that makes me more than willing to sleep outside again tonight. So, off I go.
Taisa
I’m not looking forward to sleeping outside tonight. Point Blank.
We had a hard time falling asleep last night and awoke t0 30 professors peering down on us from a staff meeting held in the building we slept against. Awkward! When they clued in to what we were up to they left us with juice boxes and left over jalapeño croissants. Mmm breakfast. Throughout the day we received an overwhelming amount of support. Our campus is full of very generous people: ) Today we received brownies, muffins, rice, chicken kebabs, taco salad and TOOTHPASTE!!! It feels like a luxury.
So, right now I’m sitting here thinking I’d like to be home , all bundled up, and studying for tomorrow’s exam. But, that would be too easy. While only a day has passed, I’ll admit to being completely exhausted. I reached into my school bag at work (CaPs) today for a bite to eat and was quickly reminded that there is certainly no food or spare change hiding in there. While we will never truly know what it is like to be homeless, we are starting to realize how much we take for granted. A warm and comfortable bed for example, which is certainly a far cry from the metal grate, wooden pallet and cardboard that we slept on last night.
One thing that really made me smile today though is when I overheard a girl talking to her friend about Five Days. “Every year when 5 Days happens, I keep thinking that I can do more than just give money to the cause. It really makes me reflect on my own actions.” It’s hearing things like that that makes me more than willing to sleep outside again tonight. So, off I go.
Taisa
I’m sitting here on my bedroom floor and am getting pretty nervous about sleeping outside for the next week. “Nervous” in that I think it will be a very different experience to be at the mercy of others for 5 days and 5 nights. No heating blanket, no pocket change, and nothing more than a cardboard box to sleep on at the end of the day. All the same, all of us participants are super pumped to be part of such an amazing campaign. I look forward to to the challenge and in the end, hope it raises the awareness and donations we’ve set to achieve. Who knows, perhaps we’ll even frame the cardboard when we are finished with it.
Taisa
