U of M’s 5 Days campaign committee is set to begin its annual fundraising campaign to support Resource Assistance for Youth (RaY) — a non-profit organization located in Winnipeg that assists vulnerable youths ages 29 and under to make the best choices for their lives.

5 Days is a national campaign led by the Canadian Association of Business Students that aims to raise awareness and collect donations for people at the risk of facing homelessness.

Traditionally, this campaign involved students sleeping outdoors for five nights to raise awareness about youth homelessness. However, according to Madisyn Kurtz, 5 Days director of public relations, the committee shifted its approach back in 2021, focusing on meaningful community engagement through a variety of events, both on and off campus. 

RaY was originally founded in Winnipeg in 1994 with a focus on reconnecting runaway youths with their families. 

In 2004, the organization was rebranded as RaY and adopted a new mission to provide youths with what they need to build better lives on their terms. 

Today, RaY provides drop-in supports, basic needs, street outreach, housing, primary health supports, mental health and addiction supports, education and training and cultural supports. 

“Unlike lots of other organizations that provide similar types of resources, RaY really focuses on the long-term success and the skill building aspect of it,” said Kurtz. 

This year, the 5 Days campaign is scheduled to run from Feb. 10 to 14. Kurtz clarified that the U of M 5 Days committee aims to use this period to raise funds to support RaY’s cause.

“We are focusing specifically with our events on raising funds, so we’ll be providing all of the money that we raise back to RaY,” she said. “We do have a goal this year of raising $20,000.”

The committee has a series of on-campus and off-campus events scheduled to raise funds, including a Valentine’s Day candy gram sale on Feb. 10, a dodgeball tournament on Feb. 11, fundraising initiatives around the city on Feb. 12, five bands featured at the Nob in St. Norbert on Feb. 13 and a karaoke night on Feb. 14.

There will be additional events such as a Paint and Plant, a pool tournament, a doughnut sale and a lunch sale which are scheduled to occur outside of 5 Days week. 

To learn more about Resource Assistance for Youth and their support programs, visit rayinc.ca.