From August 1 to 28, runner Kagan Kneen, Executive Director of the Lloydminster Social Action Coalition Society, will embark on a 1,279-kilometre run in support of the Lloydminster Men’s Shelter.
This fundraising campaign, known as “Running for Shelter,” aims to raise awareness and funds for the organization, which has been providing emergency shelter, meals, support services, and long-term rehabilitation programs to homeless men since 2008.
Kneen was inspired to pursue his goal because of his passion for making a meaningful difference in the lives of homeless men. He was born and raised in the Lloydminster area and after 16 years away living in Saskatoon and Calgary, he moved back to Lloydminster. Despite a background in business, his focus on community led him to step into the non-profit space and become the Executive Director for the shelter. He finds it rewarding to help change the perspective on the challenges of the unhoused community members and work with the clients as well on showing the importance of community. “From living in larger cities and now speaking with other shelter facilities, it is apparent what works and what doesn’t work, and the purpose of this campaign is to ensure that we take care of our clients, our community, and the shelter/team,” he said.
“When I was hired by the board of directors,” he continued, “I was asked to mend community relations (and I work closely with many of the agencies and organizations in Lloydminster now) as well as find a larger space to take care of our clients. I have always had a passion for running, so presented to the board of directors my idea to blend my two passions together, taking care of people and running. This is how we developed the idea to run from the AB/BC border to the SK/MB border to drive awareness for the challenges of the unhoused community members.”
His journey will begin at Big Berland Campground just north of Hinton on August 1 and will finish in Wroxton, Saskatchewan, with stops in Edmonton, Ranfurly, Kitscoty, and more. He will be arriving in Vermilion on August 11, where he will stay overnight at the Vermilion Provincial Park.
The Lloydminster Men’s Shelter has been a cornerstone of support for many individuals, offering not just a place to stay but a path to a better future. With the funds raised through “Running for Shelter,” the shelter can continue to provide essential services and expand its reach.
In addition to raising support for ongoing programs, this campaign seeks to raise $300,000 of the $1.2 million needed to build a new, much-needed shelter. By contributing to this campaign, donors will be directly aiding in the expansion and enhancement of the men’s shelter’s services, allowing them to offer more comprehensive and effective assistance to those in need.
Donations of any amount can be made via this link: https://www.lloydminstershelter.com/
You can also support Kneen by spreading the word by using the hashtag #RunningForShelter on social media. In doing so, the organization encourages people to challenge their networks to donate alongside them. Runners can also join Kagan virtually by uploading their runs to Strava and tagging Kneen.
To learn more about the organization, visit www.lsacs.ca, and follow Kneen’s journey on Instagram or TikTok by searching @runningforshelteryll.
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