School Fundraising
Students and schools can make a huge difference in the lives of homeless and at-risk youth.
Funds raised through your school event, will be used to help to meet the needs of youth experiencing homelessness by providing them with food, clothing, a warm bed, and so much more.
Connect with us for more information: pcorrea@covenanthousebc.org
Ways to Get Involved
Sleep Out: Student Edition
Sleep Out is a great way to show secondary students a glimpse of what life would be like if they experienced homelessness, by sleeping for one night without the comforts of home.
Host a Sleep Out and we’ll provide you with a personalized online fundraising page, a virtual presentation about Covenant House Vancouver programs, an event planning guide, and ongoing support.
Students who participate will also receive 12 hours of community service which can be applied to their graduation requirements.
Casual/Pajama Day
Choose a date to host your Casual/Pajama Day and we’ll supply stickers and posters. We can give a virtual presentation about the programs Covenant House Vancouver offers and create an online fundraising page so that school communities can donate virtually.
On the day of the event, students can wear their stickers and dress casual to show their support for homeless youth.
School Events
Here is a list of fun ways to raise awareness and funds to help youth experiencing homelessness:
- Skate/Run/Walk/Bike-a-thon
- Candygrams
- Pink Day T-Shirt sale
Student Spotlight
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Laura Secord Elementary’s Book Study
Octavia Gordon’s Grade 5/6 class read No Fixed Address by Susin Nielsen, which focuses on a young person experiencing homelessness. According to Gordon, it gave the students a person to relate to and demonstrated that the issues they faced were not their fault. “It opened the door to conversations about empathy, resilience, and the importance of community support.” The class discussed themes, developed empathy for the lead character, and learned about community supports. Covenant House Vancouver was discussed as a place that offers much-needed support to youth in the same position. Students had a lot of important takeaways, including that homelessness can happen to anyone, kids face unique challenges when experiencing homelessness, and empathy and kindness go a long way.
“[This book] made me realize that some kids my age or a year older than me are going through a really hard thing, and it made me thankful for what I have!”
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Champlain Heights’s Business Fair Fundraiser
Champlain Heights Community Elementary has been hosting a business fair since 2018 to teach students entrepreneurial skills and financial literacy in a hands-on, engaging way. Youth are encouraged to think about making a positive impact in the community. They support Covenant House Vancouver because it reinforces the culture of kindness and advocacy at Champlain Heights, and to show that students’ actions can create meaningful change. We spoke with Holly Sose, a grade seven teacher, to share what advice she would give to other schools looking to fundraise:
“Start small and make it student-driven. When students feel ownership of the project, their creativity and enthusiasm shine through. Encourage them to learn about Covenant House’s mission so they understand the impact of their efforts—this makes the experience meaningful and inspiring.”
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Sir William Osler Pajama Day Fundraiser
Sir Willian Osler raises money through a Pajama Day fundraiser to help youth have a safe space. This school supports CHV because of the golden rule, respect others, and we treat people how they want to be treated. Nicole Jackson and Deanna Brady’s students encourage schools to try different types of fundraising, like craft sales, bake sales, thrift sales, and spreading the word about events.
Thanks to their students for providing these insights: Mion, Megan, Persephone, Jesse, Jordan, Jim, Abigail, Chloe, Niomi, Amon, Taneki, and Arthur.