What is the SleepOut and why is it important?
The SleepOut is a night spent outside to raise awareness of the plight of homeless youth. The event will engage a community of leaders and advocates who will experience one night on the cold ground in solidarity with homeless / at-risk youth, and will raise funds for services that transform lives. It is our goal to end youth homelessness by 2020!
When?
Friday, March 23, 2018 9:00pm – check in 9:30-10:30pm – Program presentation, film, and fellowship 11:00pm – Settle in for a night on the street 5:00am – Reflection
Where?
Stanton Plaza, Elm Street, Manchester (in front of the Radisson Hotel)
Your accommodations?
You will sleep on the ground under an open air tent. The ground will be covered with tarps and cardboard boxes. Wear warm clothing and bring your own sleeping bag. Bathroom facility will be available. The SleepOut will be held regardless of weather. The event will be supervised by SleepOut staff throughout the night. Raising awareness & funds to help homeless youth The CFS www.cfsnh.org
Fundraising:
As a sleeper, you will commit to raising at least $1,000. You will be provided with a simple web-based tool that comes complete with a fund-raising page template, sample language, and links to the CFS SleepOut web page. These tools will help you to reach out to friends, family, and colleagues through email and social media. Each $1000 raised supports critical services to at-risk youth:
• 8 nights at a warm, safe shelter for one homeless youth
• 185 hours of family counseling
• 60 hours of street outreach
The need:
Currently, 1 in 10 young adults, ages 18 to 25, and 1 in 30 adolescents ages 13 to 17, endures some form of homelessness in America. Reasons range from abuse and neglect, to mental illness, substance abuse, strained relationships, gender or sexual identity, and poverty. They are at risk of being abused or exploited and suffer many other consequences. On average, Child and Family Services provides assistance to, and works to stabilize the lives of over 1,500 runaway, homeless and at-risk youth each year, in Manchester, Concord, Littleton, and the Seacoast. CFS provides survival aid, fulfilling basic needs such as food and clothing, and connects youth with shelter and medical care. As well, CFS provides mental health and substance abuse counseling, and helps youth with educational advocacy, job search, and housing. Most of the youth in the CFS runaway and homeless youth programs report that:
• Their parents told them to leave or knew they were leaving and didn’t care.
• They did not plan their departure and had $10 or less when they left home.
• They’ve been affected by substance abuse and/or mental health issues.
• They are or have been involved in unhealthy, violent relationships.
Will you sleep out?
Please join us in aiding NH youth who are experiencing homelessness. To participate, please contact cfscommunications@cfsnh.org
SLEEP and/or GIVE: