EDMONTON – An education worker who saw first hand the benefits of the Youth Emergency Shelter has become the second CUPE Local president to participate in the ‘homeless for a night’ fundraising project for the shelter.
Trudy Grebenstein, President of CUPE Local 3550 (Edmonton Public Schools support staff), worked for 27 years at Eastglen School. In her time there she saw dozens of teenagers attend school while living at the shelter.
“It amazed me that these kids, who were homeless for a variety of reasons, were still able to continue to go to school and get their high school education,” said Grebenstein. “If it were not for the shelter, there would been almost no hope for them.”
Grebenstein and others will spend an evening sleeping at John Ducey Park this evening. There will be entertainment between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Ten cots will be auctioned off for participants to sleep on, with everyone else sleeping on the ground.
“The Youth Emergency Shelter is a lifeline for our students,” said Grebenstein. “If spending a night in the cold can help a few kids who need a second chance – I’m glad to do it.”
-30-