Joe Roberts knows what it's like to be homeless.
He was living on the streets of Vancouver at age 15 to escape an abusive stepfather and then suffered from mental health and addiction issues.
With the help of a supportive mother and a police officer, he turned his life around and is now pushing a shopping cart across Canada in his Push For Change camapign to raise awareness and money to fight homelessness.
"My goal is 50 cents from every Canadian," says Roberts. "We've raised close to $270,000 for homeless initiatives. That's fantastic. 100% of the money we raise goes to support local homeless initiatives."
The 35-year-old, who was named one of Business Vancouver's 40 Under 40, will take part in Petrolia's Santa Claus Parade Saturday December 3.
Members of UA Local 663 will be walking with Joe from Petrolia to Sarnia beginning at 6am Saturday at Petrolia Town Hall to the union hall on Confederation St.
Beginning at 7am Sunday, Roberts will walk a 25 km route through Sarnia that will begin and end at city hall.
He'll also be speaking at Lambton College on December 5 at 1pm.
More information can be found at www.thepushforchange.com