Housing
The 10th Annual 360°Experience
2023
On March 2nd, 2023, we marked the 10th Anniversary of the 360°Experience and over the last 10 years, the event has raised over $1.5 million for 360°kids and has had over 900 participants and volunteers. These great accomplishments, could not have been achieved without the support of donors, participants, and volunteers, who believe in our event and our goal of providing preventative and supportive programs to youth facing crisis in York Region.
As in many years, we were grateful to see so many multi-year organizations joining as event sponsors, Inter-World Paper, Benson Kearley, PTAG, AGF Rebar Foundation, 105.9 The Region, YRT and Tim Horton’s. As well, we welcomed some great new sponsors, Woods Canada, Alectra, Magna, FCT, Marner Assist Foundation and a very special group, Opus Homes, they not only volunteered to be a sponsor in this year’s event, but also signed up to participate in the Corporate Challenge.
Raising over $500,000 this year!
We are proud to say we had 31 In-Person participants, 17 Corporate Challenge teams (130 participants), 3 School Challenge registrations and over 125 registered Virtual participants — All around, Amazing community involvement!
We are happy to say that TOGETHER, we raised $500,000, an unimaginable new milestone for all of us at 360°kids.
EVER SO GRATEFUL!!
- The original In-Person Experience, stepping into the shoes of a homeless youth and maneuvering street life. Experiencing first hand, the realities of homeless youth in the GTA.
- The Corporate Challenge, first year inception, this event focused on bringing organizations and the larger corporate community together, in an opportunity to build team work, network with other companies and learn about the challenges homeless youth face today.
- The Virtual Experience, ever since Covid, we have used this as a way to engage and encourage our younger participants, to learn and hear about youth homelessness and the programs & services 360°kids provides to homeless or at risk youth.
- The School Challenge, an opportunity for schools to rally behind a school ambassador, who participates in the In-Person and students, teachers and community supporters register for the virtual stream.
The In-Person Experience
It was a cold -8°C, felt like -11°C with the wind chill, but that did not stop this group. Determined to learn, understand and experience, participants received their challenges and took to the streets.
With no less than 8 in their In-Person group and 9 teams at the Corporate Challenge, CEO, Don Romano and Kirk Merrett from Hyundai Canada, took the 360°Experience challenge and showed all just how much they CARE about creating awareness and helping us raise funds for our programs & services – Outstanding support!
The Corporate Challenge
While at the Corporate Challenge, Richmond Hill Mayor David West, made his rounds greeting the many teams at the Community Safety Village in Stouffville. Teams included, York Regional Police Command, City of Markham, Manulife, RSM Canada, Sharp Appraisal & Consulting, Williams HR Law LLP, Deloitte, BMO Corporate, Opus Homes and Hyundai Corporate and the many York Region Dealerships.
The School Challenge
Before we share all the pictures, we want to acknowledge the three schools, that not only raised funds for our event, but encouraged their entire school community to participate and learn about 360°kids and the challenges homeless youth still face today. St. Maximilian Kolbe CHS, Richland Academy and St. Therese de Lisieux CHS.
The Virtual Challenge
A total of 130 virtual participants registered for the event. During the night, some slept outside in their home porches, garages and backyards, some participated in their scripted activities and watched our videos that highlighted the struggles of youth homelessness.
Thank You! To our amazing Partner Agencies
Blue Door/Mosaic Interfaith, Inn From The Cold, The Salvation Army, Belinda’s Women’s Shelter, Eva’s Place, Covenant House, LOFT Community Services and MOBYSS Bus – CMHA.
As for our dedicated and wonderful Volunteers We want to say “Thank you!”
Community volunteers, past employees and current employees from across various 360°kids programs, thank you for your time and support throughout the night and into the morning.