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The idea behind Attention Homes’ Sleep Out for Homeless Youth is to give people a chance to sleep in someone else’s shoes. Now in its second year, the fundraiser invites participants to support National Runaway and Homeless Youth Awareness Month by spending a night outside in the cold.
The evening begins with dinner and a short program about Attention Homes, a nonprofit that provides outreach programs, emergency shelter and extended and transitional housing for homeless youth in Boulder. The overnight portion of the event will take place on the lawn between First United Methodist Church, 1421 Spruce Street in Boulder, and the Attention Homes office. Each participant is given a piece of cardboard to rest on, and sleepers are asked to bring only a sleeping bag — no tents or other shelter — for the night.
“It’s a direct illustration of what we see,” explains organizer Brittny Wilson. “We get people who would like to do something physically — like sleep out in the cold — to support rather than attend a gala or something [else] that isn’t their speed.” Each participant pledges to raise $1,000 to support Attention Homes, in the process raising awareness about the area’s homeless youth population; so far, more than sixty people have signed up for this year’s sleep-out.
Check-in is at 7 p.m. in the lobby of the church. To participate, or to donate to a registered sleeper or directly to the nonprofit, visit attentionhomes.org/sleepout.
Thu., Nov. 14, 7 p.m., 2013
