Students take on homelessness in the cold

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“It focuses on people who are at a disadvantage and who don’t necessarily have the ways to live a good, healthy life,” she said. “We’ve obviously seen a lot of issues in our community of Prince Albert.

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“Altogether, there could be up to 1,470 people living in homelessness.”

According to their signs based on statistics they found online, up to 70 people in Prince Albert live on the streets, 100 live in shelters, 600 “couch surf”, with 700 other people living “at risk” at any given time.

Parker said up to 68 per cent of First Nations children are living in poverty.

These are problems Parker said people seem to turn a blind eye to.

“I think people don’t understand how broad it is—how many social issues there are in our society, and I think a lot of people tend to try and ignore it,” said Parker. “Everyone has a right to shelter, food and water—that’s human rights, and not everyone has that.”

Cassie Petit, a classmate of Parker’s, said being in their shoes was quite the experience.

“We’ve only been here for an hour and we’re freezing,” said Petit. “We see how blessed we are that we can run inside and we have the luxury to buy toques, scarves, mitts… I couldn’t imagine what it’s like to do this every day.”

Their blessing bags for the YWCA will be full of those winter necessities thanks to over 20 people who donated, she said.

Parker said they were worried people wouldn’t be as supportive.

“We had a hard time getting out here because we were so afraid of people’s reactions,” said Parker, who said their short time being homeless made her feel what it might be like to have to accept donations to survive.

“It would be scary,” she continued. “You have to put your pride and dignity aside because your life comes first.”

Overall, she said it was better than they expected.

“We’ve been surprised, lots of people have been donating. It’s been really great,” said Parker.  

asoloducha@panow.com

On Twitter: @alex_soloducha