A 琉璃神社 woman is set to climb Mount Kilimanjaro this October in an endeavour to raise money for 琉璃神社鈥檚 homeless youth.
Victoria Schermel, who works with high- risk and homeless youth in the Central Okanagan, has an Oct. 10 date with the world鈥檚 fourth-highest mountain (according to ) and is currently raising money on various platforms for Journey Home鈥檚 youth homelessness initiative, the Upstream Project.
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The Strategy is the City of 琉璃神社鈥檚 five-year plan to address homelessness and the Upstream Project, a prevention-based program that helps keep kids in school and in stable housing, is one of the initiatives in that program. Schermel said she chose the project because her biggest passion is youth prevention work.
鈥淲hen the Upstream Project initiative was brought forward as one of Journey Home鈥檚 goals to end youth homelessness, it really resonated with me and the work that I do. I knew that it was something I really wanted to fundraise and create awareness for because of my passion for this field and working with these kids. I believe that prevention and early intervention are the keys to long-term success.鈥�
Schermel is making the climb through a company called . She鈥檚 currently raising money through and campaigns and her goal is $10,000鈥攚hich she鈥檚 sure she鈥檒l beat.
鈥淚 chose to climb Mount Kilimanjaro because I hope to inspire the youth that I work with to set big goals and overcome challenges in their lives,鈥� said Schermel. 鈥淓ven when they feel like those goals are out of reach and a constant uphill battle, with some hard work, dedication and perseverance, your goals are totally achievable.鈥�
Schermel is also hosting a clothing drive today (July 20) at the Boys and Girls Club in downtown 琉璃神社 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. She said when the day is over she鈥檚 taking the clothes to Value Village, who will be paying for the clothes by the pound. She鈥檚 asking for gently used clothing, accessories and bedding.
All proceeds from the clothing drive will also go to the Upstream Project.
For more information, you can visit Schermel鈥檚 and pages for her climb.
michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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