Saugus teen to hike to fight homelessness

SAUGUS – A teenager from Saugus will be among more than 30 women who plan to hike the White Mountains of New Hampshire this coming weekend in a fundraising event for a Boston shelter for the homeless.One of the hikers is 16-year-old Courtney Whyte of Saugus, who is preparing for The Wilderness Heals, an event that starts July 18. She and the other participants will set out in groups of six to 10 to tackle hiking trails ranging in difficulty from moderate to advanced backcountry hiking. The event will raise money for the Elizabeth Stone House of Boston.Whyte said that her motivation for hiking comes from the stories told by Stone House residents.?Before we leave for the hike on buses, we do a send-off. One woman tells the story of how she came to Stone House and what the house has done for her,” she said. “When I think about why I do this, I feel that I?m giving people the opportunity to start over. That is what motivates me.”The Stone House is a nonprofit organization working to end homelessness in Boston and rehabilitate those suffering from domestic violence, substance abuse and mental illness. The house provides residential and non-residential programs and services, and it is also an emergency shelter for those who are in immediate need.Whyte said she first learned about Wilderness Heals from her stepmother, Erika Whyte, who is a coordinator for the event.?My stepmother, Erika, started hiking a couple years before I did,” she said. “At the end of the hike there is a reception, and we went up to support her. I thought the stories they told were really inspirational.”Whyte said this will be her fourth year participating in the event and that every year she tries to push herself a little harder on the trail.?This will be my second year hiking in the backcountry,” she said. “I?ll be staying at the Osgood tent site, and I have to bring a tent, my sleeping bag, food and cooking supplies.”Whyte also said that while the trip is physically challenging, it is a chance to meet and connect with other women who are working together to end homelessness and heal the scars of abuse.The Wilderness Heals event is the largest annual fundraiser for the Elizabeth Stone House. Individual hikers pledge to raise a minimum of $1,500, and the organization aims to raise $200,000 from this year?s event.