Up to 300 motorcycle enthusiasts are revving up for a two-hour ride across Simcoe County to help fight against youth homelessness.
This is the second annual Ride for Youth Haven with a goal of raising $5,000 that will go specifically to assist with outreach services.
"Nobody has bigger hearts than bikers so it was a natural fit," said director of fund development Mary-Ellen O'neill-Madeley. "Plus it's another group of people who might not realize how big a local problem youth homelessness is."
Executive director Lucy Gowers echoes that sentiment.
"It is a crisis in Simcoe County," Gowers said. "It may be more visible in Barrie, but its just as big of a problem in smaller communities like Innisfil, Alliston, Orillia and Midland.
"We offer crisis intervention, counselling and provide care packages in those communities," she added. "Especially in the summer, the problem can be hidden as young people might be camping out or couch surfing."
The numbers speak for themselves with over 200 young people between 16 and 24 coming through the Youth Haven last year.
Sixteen emergency beds are full nearly every night, and eight to 10 youth are turned away each month due to lack of beds.
"It costs $125 a night to provide a bed, toiletries and other necessities," Gowers said. "It costs $30,000 a year to ensure our residents have nutritious meals so fundraisers like this are critical."
At each stop along the route, there will be a chance for participants to also face their fears which is another fundraising event through the shelter.
Among the fears to conquer include handling a snake or spend 30 seconds in a coffin.
The idea behind this challenge is to make the point that youth face their fears every day.
Ride for Youth Haven starts Saturday at 11 a.m. It will leave from the Innisfil Recreational Complex, located at 7315 Yonge St., and will go 120 km through Innisfil, Thornton, Alliston and Hockley Valley.
For more information, visit youthhaven.ca.
