KENORA, ON, April 8, 2017 /CNW/ - The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), students and members of the community helped The Push for Change mark a milestone as Joe Roberts prepares to leave Ontario during his 9,000 km trek across Canada to end youth homelessness.
Hundreds of students and community members cheered and walked with Joe as he pushed his shopping cart through the streets of Kenora to the Seven Generations Education Institute where presentations were live streamed to thousands of students in northern communities.
Community leaders also gathered at the Discovery Centre for a ceremony and presentations with The Push for Change, OPP and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
As part of its community safety partnership with The Push for Change, OPP members gained a new perspective on homeless youth by organizing and participating in more than 220 events across the province such as several hockey challenges, community meals, sleep outs, clothing and food collections, and more. Through these events, tens of thousands of people heard about the impact of homelessness on youth, families, stakeholders and communities.
On May 1, Joe began pushing a shopping cart across Canada to raise awareness and funds to help end youth homelessness. The OPP partnered with The Push for Change as Joe travelled across Ontario, encouraging everyone to work together to make sustainable change for youth.
Further information about The Push for Change campaign is available at www.thepushforchange.com. Further information about the OPP Push for Change community safety partnership may be found at www.opp.ca.
Event photos, fact sheet and backgrounder can be found on www.opp.ca/thepushforchangekenora.
Quotes:
"I am extremely proud of OPP members who participated in over 220 events across the province. Joe is leaving Ontario, but our journey together doesn't stop. This is a perfect opportunity to work with communities and continue to address the underlying risk factors that lead to youth homelessness."
– J.V.N. (Vince) HAWKES, OPP Commissioner
"Helping at risk youth is a priority for the OPP and the community of Kenora. We have been working collaboratively with our community partners to address the issue, so the timing and message that Joe Roberts brings really hits home."
Acting Inspector Paul VAN BELLEGHEM, Kenora OPP
"Six years ago we dreamed of engaging the nation to bring awareness to and prevention of youth homelessness. That dream became a reality with Ontario being more successful than we ever expected. We were met at the Ontario/Quebec border by the Ontario Provincial Police and for the last 3,600 km the OPP has been by our side as our Community Safety Partner. The OPP have helped us build hundreds of events by bridging relationships with schools and community partners."
– Joe ROBERTS, The Push for Change
SOURCE Ontario Provincial Police
Media Contacts: OPP: Const. Ronni Grosenick, Phone: (807) 548-5534, Email: [email protected]; The Push for Change: Ms. Irene Carroll, Phone: (416) 366-5473, Email: [email protected]
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