5 Days for the Homeless
Students from 24 universities from across Canada will be participating in this year’s 5 Days for the Homeless campaign.
For five consecutive days, students will live on the streets to raise awareness of the issue of homelessness and to solicit donations to local charities. Participants will give up many of life’s daily comforts, such as showering, clean clothes and disposable income to draw attention to an issue that affects all Canadian cities.
The Montreal-based universities participating in the campaign, Concordia, McGill, HEC Montréal and ESG at UQÀM, will donate their proceeds to Dans la rue, a local organization that helps get kids off the street and back on their feet.
The campaign kicks off Sunday, March 11 at 5 p.m. at an opening ceremony in McGill’s Bronfman Building (1001 Sherbrooke St. W.), when Liberal MP Marc Garneau will address participants.
Guest sleepers are invited to show their solidarity by joining the participating students on the streets. Former NHLer Georges Laraque and Liberal MP Hon. Denis Coderre will be sleeping alongside the Concordia participants this year on the corner of Mackay Street and De Maisonneuve Boulevard West.
The campaign wraps up with a St. Patrick's Day Irish brunch event at Reggie’s (mezzanine of the Henry F. Hall Building) on Sunday, March 18.
The 5 Days for the Homeless campaign started at the University of Alberta in 2005 and went national in 2008. Concordia alumnus Joshua Redler, who has participated since 2008, will once again be sleeping on the street this year.
"Experiencing firsthand what it's like to sleep on the streets of downtown Montreal is a real eye-opener,” he says. “Not having a place to call home and not knowing where your next meal is coming from truly puts homeless life into perspective, even if it's only for five days. We can all make a difference in our communities, even if it's a small contribution. If I inspire only a few more people to take the initiative, I feel I have done my part.”
Since its inception, 5 Days for the Homeless has raised over $750,000 nationwide for local charities that benefit the homeless.
What: 5 Days for the Homeless
When: Sunday, March 11 at 5 p.m. to Friday, March 16 at 5 p.m.
Where: Intersection of Mackay Street and De Maisonneuve Boulevard W.
What: St. Patrick’s Day Irish Breakfast Wrap-up
When: Sunday, March 18 at 10 a.m.
Where: Reggie’s Pub, Mezzanine level of the Henry F. Hall Building (1455 De Maisonneuve Blvd. W.), Sir George Williams Campus
Tickets: $20. Contact Ashley Peluso at ashley.peluso@gmail.com
Related links:
• 5 Days for the Homeless national site
• 5 Days for the Homeless Montreal on Facebook
• Dans la rue
• John Molson School of Business