Issue 8: Sophia - Miss Northern Alberta 2021 Finalist

In Edmonton, Alberta - Canada, over 20,000 households are currently at risk of homelessness and lack adequate housing: while over 11,000 experience transitional or chronic homelessness. Homelessness and poverty alike are stemed from a variety of circumstantial occurrences, to name a few substance abuse, mental health, and economic recession. With the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic, homeless shelters are experiencing a limited capacity for beds and resources due to the overwhelming number of personnel requiring this type of support.

For this stellar queen, her passion towards raising awareness regarding homelessness began while she experienced a volunteer opportunity with her local bible study. It was here where she contributed to a clothing and material drive for the 'Hope Mission', this opportunity allowed Sophia to witess the impacts of homelessness within her community.

Sophia knew something needed to be done about the homelessness crisis. As a result, this extraordinary queen plans to tackle this issue by partnering with local organizations to raise awareness regarding the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness, while providing local businesses the opportunity to contribute to a cause through incentives for their clientele.

Similar to her passion for homelessness, Sophia is also passionate about the arts and mental health, where she is an enthused advocate for the artisitc community in which is struggling during the pandemic as the opportunities to engage, perform, and celebrate have been minimized.

Follow this queen while she raises awareness of homelessness in Canada and competes for the title of Miss Northern Alberta 2021; follow her journey on Instagram at @miss.calgary and @calgarypageants

For more information about homelessness and ways you can help decrease the statistics in your community contact your local 'Hope Mission' and 'Mustard Seed' and visit the following sources:

http://endhomelessnessyeg.ca/

https://homewardtrust.ca/edmontons-updated-plan-to-prevent-and-end-homelessness/