Devon Green bounced around for years before ending up at Aunt Leah’s Place.
Now, the young man is volunteering for the social service agency that looked after him like a parent when he had no one.
“It helps young people who need a second or third chance,” the 27-year-old said about the New-Westminster-based organization that supports young people who have aged out of care with Ministry of Child and Family Development.
Aunt Leah’s Place helps youths with goal setting, job searching, emergency food and clothing, and even helps them find safe and secure housing by negotiating agreements with landlords.
For Green, Aunt Leah’s place was a lifeline, offering him bus fare and help to get his life in order when he was homeless and without prospects.
A high school graduate with plenty of life experience, Green was recommended to the Vancouver Foundation for a grant to help him build a website that youth can use to find free food and other resources — and now, spoonsup.ca is almost complete. Friendship Baptist Church in Coquitlam is even on the list.
“You can trust the website, the youth have done the reviews,” said Green.
In addition to working on the website, Green has been involved in Aunt Leah’s housing committee and other projects. Now, he’s promoting the organization's Christmas tree lots, including one in Coquitlam, which provides funds for the work Aunt Leah’s does throughout Metro Vancouver.
It’s an important fundraiser, says executive director Sarah Stewart.
“To able to dedicate it [the money] to staff who specialize in knowing how to support these kids with action,” Stewart said of the Christmas tree lot fundraiser that last year generated $450,000.
There are five tree lots in Metro Vancouver, including one at the Eagle Ridge United Church in Coquitlam. For details on hours, product availability and cost, visit auntleahs.org.
