Victoria-based non-profit Beacon Community Services is set to host a unique event to raise money for its youth homelessness prevention efforts.
On Friday, Oct. 25, Beacon’s first-ever Pedal Tour will begin at the Sticky Wicket pub, where businesses can donate between $500 and $2,000 to have their employees ride a massive, 14-person bike around downtown Victoria for 30 minutes.
Held in partnership with Victoria Pedal Tours and Sticky Wicket, 10 businesses can participate. Each ride will end back at the iconic pub, where participants can play games, network, enjoy snacks and learn about what Beacon does to help youth in Victoria.
“We'll have our youth homelessness prevention team there to give some education on what we're doing, what our plans are and what our goals are for the future,” said Shaun Cerisano, the non-profit's director of development.
Money raised will support programs aimed at preventing youth homelessness, which include two of Beacon's youth shelters. The aptly named Out of the Rain shelter provides rooms for youth aged 15 to 25 in downtown Victoria from Oct. 15 to April 15, and the 48-unit Meares Street shelter offers studio homes for young adults aged 17 to 25.
Cerisano also hopes the event will raise awareness about Beacon's work more broadly.
“The community at large doesn't really know what Beacon Community Services does yet, even though we've been around for 50 years,” said the director of development.
Those interested in taking part in the event can email Cerisano at scerisano@beaconcs.ca.
