Meet The Team
Behind STREETZ is a passionate team of dedicated staff and volunteers who work together to support young people experiencing homelessness and hardship.
From organising events and fundraising to providing practical support, collecting donations and helping young people access essential items, every member of our team plays an important part in what we do.
We’re proud to have a team that genuinely cares about making a difference — because at STREETZ, every young person matters.
Kathryn
Özmaya-Kemp
Director
Kathryn’s commitment to supporting vulnerable young adults comes from a deeply personal place. Born in an impoverished area of Manchester, Kathryn understands that the circumstances we are born into can have a profound impact on the opportunities available to us. In the late 1960s, Kathryn was adopted by two wonderful parents who gave her the love, security and opportunities that helped shape the person she became. She often reflects on how different her own life might have been without that support — and recognises that, without the right people and the right opportunities around her, she could have found herself facing some of the same challenges experienced by the young adults Streetz CIC supports today. That understanding is at the heart of Kathryn’s involvement with Streetz CIC. Streetz is dedicated to supporting vulnerable young adults who are at risk of homelessness or are already experiencing homelessness, helping them access the practical tools, guidance, support and opportunities they need to move towards a more secure and positive future. Kathryn believes passionately that no young person should be defined by their circumstances or denied the opportunity to build a brighter future. Sometimes, having the right support at the right moment can make all the difference. Her hope is that every young person Streetz works with has the chance to discover their strengths, develop their confidence, learn new skills and create a future that feels possible — regardless of where they have started. Everyone deserves a chance. Sometimes, all it takes is someone believing in you, standing beside you, and giving you the right tools to take that next step.
Yolande Berry
Director
Yolande has always believed that real, lasting change starts at the grassroots level. This belief is precisely what drove her to step into the role of Director for Streetz CIC. Witnessing the vital work the organisation does on the ground Yolande wanted to offer her time to help the vision flourish. For Yolande,this directorship isn't just a title—it’s an opportunity to actively roll up her sleeves and help build a safer, more vibrant, and supportive community for everyone Streetz CIC serves.
Jordan Johnson
Safeguarding Lead
I’ve always worked in care and have a real passion for supporting people and helping them feel valued, safe and listened to.
I joined the Streetz team as Safeguarding Lead because I truly believe in the work they do to support young people experiencing homelessness. Everyone deserves to feel safe, supported and have someone in their corner, and I’m proud to be part of a team that works so hard to make that happen.
In my role, I’m here to help ensure safeguarding remains at the heart of everything we do, while supporting the team to create a safe and welcoming environment where young people can begin to move forward.
Dani Capri
Volunteer Web & Digital Co-ordinator
I'm proud to volunteer for STREETZ, helping support young people in Warrington community I’m proud to support STREETZ by getting involved in lots of different fundraising activities. So far, I’ve organised car boots, a jumble sale, an online pageant, raffles and even a lemonade stand!
Every event, big or small, is about raising funds, bringing people together and helping STREETZ continue the amazing work they do supporting young people in the community. I also volunteer my time and skills to design and build the STREETZ website, helping give the charity an online platform to share its work and reach more people.
Meet Our Community Champions
Endeavour Cumbria
Georgie - Mel - Robyn
CaliaJo - Brianna - Niamh
Why We Chose to Fundraise for Streetz CIC When Streetz CIC was first established, its aim was to support young people who were struggling, providing them with a safe space, basic essentials and the encouragement they needed to move forward — whether that meant entering the workplace, returning to education or simply having someone there to support them through a difficult time. At the time, my own children were teenagers, and like many parents, I experienced the challenges that can come with those years. It often made me wonder: What if one day my own children found themselves in a situation where they were struggling, vulnerable or even facing homelessness? As a parent, I honestly couldn’t bear the thought of them having nowhere to turn. And I realised that it could happen to any young person, from any family. That is why supporting Streetz CIC became so important to us. We believe passionately in the work they do and the difference they can make to a young person's life when they need help the most. You never know when you, a family member, a friend or someone you know might find themselves in difficult circumstances and need the kind of support that organisations like Streetz CIC provide. Year after year, we continue to support this amazing cause, whether that is by organising our own fundraising events or taking part in events organised by others in support of Streetz CIC. We do it because we believe that every contribution matters. Whether it is 1p, £1 or more, a small donation can make a huge difference and, for someone going through one of the darkest periods of their life, it could help make their world feel just a little bit brighter.
WAITING NAMES
WAITING STORY
Endeavour
Endeavour
WAITING ON NAMES
WAITING ON STORY
Sleep Rough Champion
Beauty pageant finalist sleeping rough in Chesterfield to raise funds for disadvantaged youngsters
Published in Derbyshire Times - 22nd Aug 2022
Sharon Morley, 62, who has entered the final of Miss United Kingdom Endeavour, is raising funds by sleeping rough in Chesterfield.
Miss United Kingdom Endeavour is a beauty pageants to inspire, encourage and empower people of all ages and genders by supporting their efforts towards a crown while helping to raise funds for good causes.
Mrs Morley said: “My daughter and granddaughters have been to beauty pageants, but I have never done it before this year.“And I'm passionate about this pageant because it helps to raise money for disadvantaged young people who sometimes find themselves homeless or in trouble.”Each finalist of Miss UK Endeavour needs to organise a fundraiser. Half of the funds can be donated to a charity chosen by the participant, while remaining 50 per cent goes to STREETZ cic.
STREETZ cic is a community interest company which aims to empower and support young people aged 16-23 from disadvantaged backgrounds who have had to sleep rough on the streets. Mrs Morley, who was born and has spent her entire life in Chesterfield, has decided that her entire fundraising total will be donated to STREETZ cic. She said: “There are many charities that help homeless people, but STREETZ is a unique organisation as it focuses on young people. And there isn’t a lot of support out there for the youth who find themselves in a hard situation.” The cause is particularly close to her heart, as her daughter, Emma Gregory, 42 has been forced into rough sleeping in the past.
To collects funds, Mrs Morley and her daughter will spend the entire night on the streets of Chesterfield.
Mrs Morley said: “'I’m just praying, it doesn't rain. But I will go to the street, even if it does. It means so much to STREETZ and is so important for me.”
To have a cover in case of the bad weather, Mrs Morley is planning to camp outside the Winding Wheel. The location will also allow her to be close to the pub goers.
Mrs Morley said: “We'll have collection buckets with us and a big banner explaining what we are doing. We're hoping that people will ask us about it and donate.”
Mrs Morley will stay in the town centre with her husband, daughter and family’s friends from 6pm on Friday, August 26 to 6am on Saturday, August 27.
While Emma will sleep rough on the pavement, her mum will bring a garden chair with her as she suffers from arthritis.
Anyone who would like to join them is welcome and donations are encouraged.
Those who can’t attend on Friday, but would like to support Mrs Morley in her fundraising efforts can do so through streetzcic@gmail.com PayPal account with reference ‘rough sleep’.
£439.70 Raised
Pageant Queen Shaves her Hair
Beauty pageant winner shaves hair to raise funds for Chesterfield food bank and homeless youngsters
Published Derbyshire Times 24th Mar 2023
Sharon Matthews, 62, from Chesterfield, won a title during Miss United Kingdom Endeavour finals last autumn.
The beauty pageant empowers people of all ages and genders by supporting their efforts towards a crown while helping to raise funds for good causes.
Sharon won the Overall Charity category after she decided to sleep rough in Chesterfield town centre last August to raise funds for STREETZ cic, an organisation supporting people aged 16-23 who were forced to sleep rough on the streets.Sharon traveled to Miss Valentine Charity Pageant held in Warrington, on Sunday, March 26 and collected £250 just in a few hours.
She will share donations between STREETZ cic and Gussie’s Kitchen – a local food bank that also serves meals for struggling people.
Sharon said: “Shaving my hair is something that I've always thought about but hesitated.“A lot of pageant community do competitions, pet competitions, online tombolas but I just think having my head shaved would have a bigger impact.”Located at St Augustines Road, Gussie’s Kitchen is run entirely by volunteers.
Sharon, who was born and raised in Chesterfield, added: “I chose to have my hair shaved at Miss Valentine Charity Pageant because I knew a lot of my pageant community will be there and I will have their support. They are all amazing and like a family to me.”
Anyone who attended the event was able to shave a bit of Sharon’s hair.Sharon said: “Everyone who wanted a shave needed to put something in the bucket. Caitlyn Morrison who I met during the Endeavour Pagent was later diagnosed with jelly legs due to her anxiety and struggled to walk."I told her that if she gets better and gets back to walking, she will have a shave of my hair. It motivated her and now she is walking again! That’s why she was first to shave my hair.”
Anyone who wants to support Sharon’s fundraiser can still donate via her Paypal account at shazmorley@msn.com