We've all done it. We've all seen somebody that we've assumed to be homeless, avoided eye contact and kept walking without a second thought. I thought London's homelessness problem was pretty obvious, just judging by what I've seen. Karen Laverty of London's Youth Action Centre was quick to correct me by asking, "What does homelessness look like?" She continued, "If you saw a person, would you actually know they were homeless?"

According to Youth Opportunities Limited, four out of five homeless Canadians don't live on the street, meaning that the problem is a lot bigger than what can be seen downtown. "It can be very hidden," Laverty explained. "Some people live in shelters, some people live on the streets and some people couch surf, looking for a place to hang their hat at the end of the day. I think that's the part we forget about."

YOU is calling on Londoners to show they care about youth homelessness, by buying a Raise the Roof toque. They're sold for $10 each, and the organization hopes to sell 3,000 in London before the campaign ends in February.

Laverty works in transition services at YOU, dealing with 16- to 24-year-olds. A lot of her job concerns youths' basic needs such as meals, hygiene, socialization and having an opportunity to feel comfortable and safe. She said chatting with the people at the centre is the best part of her job. "It's a reminder why I'm here. I just love the energy. I think our young people are resilient and have so much to offer."

Laverty has worked with students who help at the centre, and said they have a lot to learn from their experience with youth homelessness. "There's a lot of stigma attached to it, especially when it comes to young people. People don't necessarily stop to think that it's a person, or what their life experiences have been and what has brought them to become homeless."

According to Laverty, Raising the Roof is about awareness as much as it is about fundraising. This campaign is especially important to London because "housing is the starting point for young people in order to provide them with some stability and some long term goals to get them to the next place."

The organization has played a big part in reducing youth homelessness by purchasing a historic building on Richmond Street and turning it into their headquarters, called The Cornerstone. They've also created 28 affordable housing units. The City of London has taken steps of its own, creating a five-year strategy to tackle the problem.

YOU will be at Fanshawe speaking with students about youth homelessness and selling toques. They can be bought on campus on Tuesdays and Thursday in the coming weeks, or online at www.raisingtheroof.org. On February 8, 2011, YOU will also be hosting Toque Tuesday where additional toques can be purchased.