HALIFAX -- One man from Ontario spent his Canada Day in the Maritimes, pushing a shopping cart down Halifax streets as part of his journey to raise awareness and funds to help prevent homeless youth in Canada.

Joe Roberts launched his Push for Change campaign May 1 in order to start a dialogue with Canadians about ways to prevent, reduce, and eventually end youth homelessness in Canada.

He says it’s a cause that hits very close to home.

“At the age of 21 or 22 years old, I found myself a young homeless person on the streets of Vancouver,” he said. “I was pushing a shopping cart, collecting cans and bottles to support my drug dependency."

Roberts says he was able to turn his life around with some help and support from others.

"Fortunately for me, I had a mom and a police officer who helped mold, shape and change the trajectory of my life. I got a second chance,” he said. “I went back to school, and in less than 12 years I went from a kid living on the streets to being part of the leadership team of a media development company."

Now, Roberts plans to push his shopping cart 24 km per day across Canada, stopping along the way to speak to schools, camps and youth groups. He began his trek in Saint John's, Newfoundland, and expects to finish the 9000-kilometre journey on September 30, 2017 in Vancouver, B.C.

"The shopping cart represents that symbol of chronic homelessness. It's an outcome. It's the thing we're trying to avoid for young people.”

Today, Roberts marched in the Royal Nova Scotian Tattoo Canada Day parade and spoke to a crowd of hundreds at the Halifax Commons Family Fun Fest.

"The one thing I believe is that the life blood of this country is how we give, how we show up, and how we continue to support others."

As he makes his way across Canada, Roberts himself has plenty of support. His wife, Marie, and daughter Loren are helping him along his journey.

"I think it's important,” said Loren. “Everyone deserves to have a home"

Although it’s a long road ahead for both the trek and the cause, Roberts believes that ending youth homelessness is possible.

He says he’ll continue to push for change by overcoming the stigma of homelessness and finding possible solutions .

"We want to be able to work with young people when they're beginning to have those challenges in grades 8, 9 and 10, to avoid street involvement and avoid that chronic homelessness and living under a via duct like I did."

The Push for Change tour will continue throughout the Maritimes, with stops in PEI and New Brunswick throughout July.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Allan April.