On May 25 & 26, 2023 community leaders will live as if homeless for 36 hours on the streets of Saskatoon as part of the Sanctum Survivor 36-Hour Challenge. In teams of two, Survivor participants will be given tasks to complete. Each task will aim to demonstrate certain challenges that society is often unaware of, but which are an everyday reality for those who are homeless with HIV. Participants will wear donated clothes and shoes. They will not be allowed any personal belongings other than a phone (to update the public on their journey). The event itself is both powerful and unprecedented. It attempts to shed light on the intense hardship faced by people who experience poverty, homelessness and chronic illness here in Saskatoon.

Sanctum Care Group acknowledges that the 36-hour homelessness experience by no means accurately depicts the numerous barriers and complex issues faced by persons who survive daily in poverty and homelessness; however, Sanctum Care Group believes that drawing awareness to some of the many challenges will be a catalyst for real and lasting change.

Following the 36 hours, the Sanctum Survivor Gala will take place on Saturday, May 27 and is an opportunity for the 10 individuals to share about their experience in a panel format, learn about the programs Sanctum Care Group provides, and raise critical funds to support the work of Sanctum Care Group.