H.E.L.P. for Street Youth Announces Financial Partnership with National Bank Private Banking 1859

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 8, 2016) - H.E.L.P. for Street Youth of Canada Society ("HELP") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a three-year financial partnership with National Bank Private Banking 1859.

HELP is a private non-profit CRA registered charity, based in Vancouver, BC, which operates both The H.E.L.P. for Street Youth Fund and Project Backpack.

The H.E.L.P. for Street Youth Fund assists homeless and at-risk youth (ages 18-25) get out of poverty by providing bursaries to allow them to pursue studies, primarily at vocational-focused schools. HELP's goal is intended to assist youth obtain an education and thus receive the skills to secure meaningful and steady employment.

Now in its 10^th year, Project Backpack is a community-based initiative that both provides essential items to homeless youth for survival on the streets, as well as educating students and citizens about youth homelessness. Project Backpack has coordinated and assisted in the stuffing of thousands of backpacks, all containing basic essentials (warm clothing, toiletries, food coupons, etc.) to help youth survive on the street. These packs are then distributed to youth centres throughout Vancouver.

"Our partnership with HELP represents our commitment to promoting the well-being of the communities we serve," said Sheila Jarvis, Vice President, Private Banking 1859-Vancouver at National Bank of Canada. "Through our One for Youth program, we are helping younger generations to develop to their full potential. We are thus proud to support an organization that gives youth a second chance."

Cara Sinclair, HELP founder & president stated: "We are honoured that National Bank Private Banking 1859 has chosen to partner with us and assist vulnerable and at-risk youth who have fallen through the cracks and risk being street-entrenched forever. The funds received from National Bank will go directly towards assisting at-risk youth obtain an education. Through our collective efforts we hope to make a difference in the lives of these young people."