Fall 2025 – Newsletter
BackNews from HELP YOUTH CANADA & PROJECT BACKPACK
Every youth shares a similar dream: to thrive, not just survive.
Help Youth Canada Society/Project Backpack is thrilled to be heading into its 20th year of helping unhoused/at-risk youth.
The community is our backbone and together we support vulnerable youth and the agencies that serve them, through both Project Backpack (PBP) & our Help Youth Canada/HYC bursary program.
Since inception, PBP has facilitated the donation, stuffing & delivery of thousands of packs to youth shelters. Thousands of students & homeless youth both give & receive in this hands-on mission that has deep community roots.
Our focus on Youth Helping Youth remains a truly powerful thing & the essence of PBP. Whether a student/school chooses to fill five backpacks or 100 – both make a huge impact.
Through stuffing a backpack, a student gives items to homeless youth to help them survive. It gives students a hands-on way to help those less fortunate, & it also gives the homeless youth the gift of compassion that shows the community cares.
Although youth homelessness continues to grow here in the lower mainland, it is our continued mission to highlight the human component, to ensure that these vulnerable youth are seen as human beings first, not just a label or a statistic.
How does PROJECT BACKPACK Make a difference?
We’re often asked how Project Backpack makes a difference. Here’s how:
• it provides backpacks filled with essential life supplies, to help homeless youth survive on the streets.
• it educates local students (both junior & high school) about the youth homeless crisis in Greater Vancouver.
• it brings front-line workers (social & outreach workers) into the schools to speak to the students, including:
– how youth end up on the street.
– the dangers they can face there.
– exit strategies for leaving the street.
– what facilities are available to assist these youth.
– why stuffing a backpack can make a huge difference in a youth’s life.
• these packs are often the entry-point for a caseworker to engage in meaningful dialogue with a youth about exiting the street.
• youth shelters don’t have the budgets to buy these items that PBP donates to them.
• the PBP campaign lets homeless youth know that the community cares about them.
• PBP believes that if we can help a youth exit the street, then they stand a greater chance of not becoming street entrenched.
Youth Centres We Partner With
Our partnerships with local youth centres remain strong, & we thank Directions Youth Centre (Family Services of Greater Vancouver) Hollyburn Community Services & Covenant House for all the work that they do. These partners are crucial to our mission; their reach, expertise & impact stretches deep into the at-risk community.
Schools
A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE FOLLOWING SCHOOLS FOR PARTNERING WITH US OVER THE PAST YEAR.
Lord Selkirk, Southridge Junior and Senior School, Ridgeway, West Point Grey Academy (WPGA), Highlands, Cleveland, Sir Winston Churchill (VanCare student group), West Vancouver Secondary School (WVSS), Prince of Wales (including a student-led Scouts campaign), Mulgrave School, Queensbury School.
With deep gratitude, we celebrate West Point Grey Academy & Southridge School, for their steadfast support. Your longstanding compassionate involvement has made a huge difference to the young people we serve. Thank you.
Testimonials
Student Testimonials
“Project Backpack was an awesome experience. I am so happy that I was able to help my community and this great organization. I had fun picturing the happy faces of my community. I can’t wait to be a part of this initiative next year!”
– Grade 7 Student
“To me, Project Backpack is important! It allows me to help other people my age, which then reminds me about how grateful I should be and how grateful I am for everything I have. Project Backpack helps people, and that’s something I want to do in my life! Thank you Dale and Ms. Mani for making this happen at Selkirk.”
– Grade 6 Student
“After a successful debut year at WVSS, we’re excited to continue Project Backpack at WVSS. We would love the opportunity to work alongside you again and help make tis initiative a lasting tradition at our school”
– WVSS Project Backpack Club Student
HELP YOUTH CANADA BURSARY YOUTH UPDATE
Our bursary program changes lives for the better, having already provided direct funding support to 31 youth.
Four HYC bursary youth will continue pursuing their educational dreams this fall in: Nursing, Early Childhood Education, Veterinary Technology & Computer Studies
Against great odds & struggle these youth are getting closer to achieving their education dreams. We proudly applaud their incredible efforts.
Bursary Recipient Testimonials
I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude for HELP’s support. The scholarship and funding has made a huge difference in my education by easing the financial burden and allowing me to focus fully on my studies.
– Legal Administrative Assistant Bursary Recipient
I have gone through many challenges in life, struggling through youth homelessness and doing my best to stay above waters; I truly felt alone. When I found out about HYC, I was really hopeful that this might be the place for me to finally have a chance at an opportunity that would better my life. Indeed it did and I didn’t feel alone anymore. I worked with someone who would check in with me constantly ensuring I am moving up in life. They would cheer me and motivate me, even on the days I couldn’t myself. I felt incredibly supported throughout my journey in college. It wasn’t easy trying to finish a course, however they never gave up on me, and always believed that I would make it far. I have come a long way and can say I am almost at the finish line. I’m truly excited for my future. Thank you HYC.
– Early Childhood Education Bursary Recipient
Corporate & Community Support
HYC deeply appreciates all the support, small & large from donors & partners, especially Earlston Investments Corp. Their support has been unwavering.
We also thank Davidson & Company LLP for their continued professional services, direction & generosity; DLA Piper (Canada) LLP for legals, & Rampion Enterprise Ltd. for wholesale costs on backpacks.
A huge thank you to Ryan Kenny Productions for creating our two important videos and for his generosity in supporting our work with vulnerable youth. He’s awesome!
And a big thanks to Sleeping Goblins for their continued creative efforts with poster graphics. We love your continued enthusiasm.
Lastly, thank you to everyone in the community: students, teachers, donors, caseworkers, volunteers & the marginalized individuals we strive to help – thanks for believing in us.
The HYC Board of Directors & our indomitable administrator are integral to the success of our mission. They are all incredible & truly care about our mission!
Please follow us on Instagram. @helpprojectbackpack
Donations are always appreciated. Official tax receipts will be provided.
