Step Into Community: Walk for YESS 5km Fundraiser to Support Youth in Crisis Edmonton, AB — September 21, 2025 —
Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS) is proud to host its first-ever Walk for YESS, a 5km fundraising event in Edmonton’s Mill Creek Ravine. This community walk will bring people together to raise critical funds that provide safe spaces, hot meals, mental health support, and hope for young people experiencing crisis.
Event Schedule
9:00 a.m. – Pancake Breakfast & Block Party Celebration
10:30 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies
11:00 a.m. – Walk Begins
12:00 p.m. – End-of-Walk Celebration
Why Walk?
The need for YESS is growing rapidly. Between 2024 and 2025, YESS saw a 21% increase in youth served, with 37% accessing support for the first time. Nearly half of YESS clients identify as Indigenous, reflecting the disproportionate impact of homelessness on Indigenous youth.
On average, it costs $750 per month to care for one youth at YESS—an investment in prevention that helps young people avoid the far greater personal and financial toll of chronic homelessness in adulthood.
“Now is the time to step into our Edmonton community, walk for connection, and create impact,” said Joyce LaBriola, Chief Development Officer at YESS. “The need is growing, and youth in crisis can’t wait. By joining us for the very first Walk for YESS, you’re not just walking—you’re taking action to ensure young people in our city have the safety, support, and hope they deserve.”
The Crisis in Edmonton
According to the City of Edmonton’s Homelessness and Housing Services Plan, over 3,000 people were experiencing homelessness as of April 2024. Of those:
- 16% were under the age of 24
- Nearly half identified as Indigenous
- 42% were women
The City has also increased spending on homelessness-related activities from $73.6 million in 2022 to $91.3 million in 2023, reflecting the urgent and growing scale of the crisis.
Join Us
By participating in Walk for YESS—whether by fundraising, creating a team, or donating—you help young people find stability, healing, and a future filled with hope.
Register today at yess.org/walk-for-yess and be part of the change.
About Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS)
Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS) provides immediate and low-barrier 24/7 shelter, temporary supportive housing, and individual and group support programs for young people aged 15–24 who are experiencing crisis and homelessness. Through trauma-informed care, YESS helps youth build a sustainable future of hope, stability, and wellness.
Media Contact
Joyce LaBriola
Chief Development Officer
Youth Empowerment and Support Services (YESS)
Email: joyce.labriola@yess.org
Phone: 780-468-7070 Ext. 111
Website: yess.org
