Covenant House Sleep Out Champions Edition
byThe #CHVCatchUp is a monthly series featuring the latest updates and news from Covenant House Vancouver (“CHV”). Miss604 is the Official Blog Partner of CHV. This month’s post has been written by Jason Bosher.
Covenant House Sleep Out Champions Edition
Sleep Out: Champions Edition is a fundraising initiative for anyone who would like to actively support vulnerable youth. On Thursday, February 29, 2024, people across the Lower Mainland, and beyond, will give up their beds for one night, to provide many nights of safety and support for youth.
There are 500–1,000 young people without a safe place to sleep every night in Metro Vancouver. Each of them has a story, a dream, and a future.
Sleep Out participants advocate for those futures. Our community of professionals, companies, influencers, and individuals give up their beds for one night to ensure that young people overcoming homelessness can sleep safely at Covenant House Vancouver.
The event will take place in person at Covenant House Vancouver’s 1280 Seymour St. location. Many participants who have experienced Sleep Out in person have said that it is life changing.
The evening will begin with an introduction to Covenant House Vancouver, followed by building tours. Participants will then hear stories shared by youth, who access Covenant House’s programs and services, about their journeys and experiences. After that impactful experience, participants will receive their cardboard and sleeping bags and will head out to the alley to prepare for their night on the street.
Each participant will be provided with a list of their donors and are encouraged to write these names on their cardboard as a way of expressing their gratitude for the support. Participants may also share why they are sleeping out.
In the morning, participants gather and share their experiences during a time of reflection. It can be an emotional time as participants are truly moved by their overnight experiences.
For those who cannot be there in person, Covenant House is offering a virtual option. Remote participants will experience engaging programming and meaningful conversations, including the stories shared by youth and the morning reflections. Virtual participants are also able to share their experiences.
YVR will match Sleep Out donations!
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has just announced that they have committed to match all funds donated to Covenant House Vancouver, for Sleep Out: Champions Edition, between February 15–29, up to $50,000. YVR will match funds whether you would like to donate to a specific Sleep Out participant, a team, or to the Sleep Out: Champions Edition event in general. You can click here if you would like to support this cause.
If you would like to know more about Covenant House Vancouver, or about the community members who came together this year to form the Sleep Out Cabinet to help raise awareness, you can do so by reading the Covenant House Blog.
Related: Read all of the Covenant House guest posts on Miss604 since 2020, and beyond.
