Push for change rolls into Regina with a message of hope

A shopping cart-pushing advocate forending youth homelessness arrived in Regina last week with a message of hope.

Joe Roberts is walking across Canada, 24 kilometres a day, behind his symbolicshopping, the face of thenational campaign, The Push for Change.

On Friday, several Regina residents and city officialsjoined him as he made his day'shaulacross the city.

Before the trek, however, Roberts who has walked more than 7,000 kilometres since leaving St. John's, NL, on May 1, 2016 had an inspiring message for the students assembled before him.

Fateful encounter on park bench

He recalled theday in 1989 when, as a young homeless person, he was seated on a park bench.

"My life was broken," he said."I was addicted to drugs,chronically homeless. I was sitting beside this man named Gus. He had these piercing blue eyes and he looked at me and said, 'You know Joe, there's more to you than youcan see.'"

Roberts couldn't wrap his brain around that at the time.

"What was sitting in frontof him that day was a guy who'dmade every mistake possible: dirtymatted hair, addicted to heroine, broken teeth,stink from living outside."

Prevention, housing key

Now Roberts is a passionate advocate for funding programs toend youth homelessness, speaking to students throughout his long journey, which will end in Vancouver this September.

In Regina, he spoke of the importance of not only funding emergency solutions but of pouring resources into housing and prevention services.

His talk was followed by his walk and a community barbecue.