Why Ben Arends is Sleeping Outside

There is a "continuing sharp and troubling rise in child poverty across British Columbia, with 1 in 6 children—147,570 kids—living below the poverty line" — 2024 BC Child Poverty Report Card

"Poisoning from unregulated drug toxicity was the leading cause of unnatural deaths among youth from 2019-2023, followed by deaths by suicide and motor vehicle incidents." — Government of BC

"Gangs [in the Lower Mainland] are actively recruiting children as young as 11 or 12 years old, exploiting their need for protection, belonging, and financial stability" — Helpseeker Technologies Report

These are the realities for our youth - but we also know there is hope.

Research from Harvard University “shows that children who do well despite serious hardship have had at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult,” and it’s my belief that committed, caring and trauma-informed adult relationships doesn’t just help young people — it transforms them. It's why I do what I do.

Thanks for being a part of it. :)