Column: Sleep Out to raise awareness of homelessness

One of the best things about doing work on the “giving back” theme for our November issue of Chicago Star is the reaffirmation of how many great organizations with wonderful helpful causes there are in the Chicago area.

I knew this already, of course, but by finding out even more, and going in-depth on some others, it just rekindled my spirit and love for our great city.

Sometimes you even get a surprise enlightenment: unexpected discoveries of wonderful groups or organizations you never even knew about. One such group for me is called Covenant House and their upcoming event on Saturday, Nov. 18, is called the “Sleep Out.”

Chicago’s Covenant House is an organization dedicated to assistance and aid in all areas of teen homelessness, from education to job training, counseling, medical services and more. Open 24/7, the organization mainly works with the 18-24 age range.

Covenant House is a national organization with chapters in 31 other states, but it is new in Chicago, as this is only the nonprofit’s fourth year here. The Sleep Out is part of a national program where people of all ages and all over the country will sleep outside for the night to experience, and better understand, what homelessness and the lack of the comforts of your own bed and house can feel like.

Some participants will sleep out on their lawn, others in garages, backyards, terraces, porches, parks and driveways — whatever locations can be used. Covenant House itself will have up to 25 people (limited due to COVID) sleeping outside at the organization’s brand-new Chicago location at 2934 W. Lake St.

The people who will be sleeping outside will secure donations and sponsorships, raising funds that will be used by Covenant House in its fight to combat teen homelessness. 

“The goal this year is $500,000,” says event chairman Jim Coleman, from the Accenture Company, “but really, we would like to get to a million.”  A tall order indeed.

If any of our Chicago Star readers would like to get involved, sign up and registration information is easy and available at covenanthouseil.org or sleepout.org.

This event is much different than some of the fancy dinner affairs that also raise much-needed money. This one is more personal.

“The experience changes you,” says Associate Director of Development for Covenant House John Paul Higgins, who adds, “You will look at things much differently after sleeping out for a night.”