A Kelowna woman is set to climb Mount Kilimanjaro this October in an endeavour to raise money for Kelownasa国际传媒檚 homeless youth.
Victoria Schermel, who works with high- risk and homeless youth in the Central Okanagan, has an Oct. 10 date with the worldsa国际传媒檚 fourth-highest mountain (according to ) and is currently raising money on various platforms for Journey Homesa国际传媒檚 youth homelessness initiative, the Upstream Project.
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The Strategy is the City of Kelownasa国际传媒檚 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.
sa国际传媒淲hen the Upstream Project initiative was brought forward as one of Journey Homesa国际传媒檚 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.sa国际传媒�
Schermel is making the climb through a company called . Shesa国际传媒檚 currently raising money through and campaigns and her goal is $10,000sa国际传媒攚hich shesa国际传媒檚 sure shesa国际传媒檒l beat.
sa国际传媒淚 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,sa国际传媒� said Schermel. sa国际传媒淓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.sa国际传媒�
Schermel is also hosting a clothing drive today (July 20) at the Boys and Girls Club in downtown Kelowna from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. She said when the day is over shesa国际传媒檚 taking the clothes to Value Village, who will be paying for the clothes by the pound. Shesa国际传媒檚 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 Schermelsa国际传媒檚 and pages for her climb.
michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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