A group of students from Simon Fraser University is taking to the streets in an effort to raise money and awareness for Vancouver’s homeless youth.

For 24 hours, the students will stay outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, starting 9 a.m. Saturday, with just a pillow and a blanket as part of the No Home campaign.

They will have no access to food and can only eat food donated to them.

Student organizer David Yuen said their goal is to break stereotypes that exist about homelessness.

“(People) might not understand the story behind their life,”  Yuen said.

“A lot of homeless youth are on the streets because they’ve been suffering from physical, sexual or emotional abuse at home. A lot of that is hidden and people don’t see that.”

Yuen said the experience doesn’t come close to the real thing, but will give participants a better understanding of the difficulties the homeless face each day.

Money raised will go to the Covenant House, an organization that provides shelter and services for the homeless, abused and runaway youth.

The first No Home campaign held in 2009 raised over $5,000.

The group is collecting pledges on the day of the event. Donations can also be given online until March 31 at nohome.ca.