Convenant House New Jersey
General Business

Executives Experience a Night of Homelessness with Sleep Out

On Nov. 17, business executives throughout the state will experience a night of homelessness by volunteering in Covenant House New Jersey’s Sleep Out event. The goal of Sleep Out Executive Edition is more than just raising funds for the organization, which provides immediate shelter and care for homeless youths aged 18-21.  

According to Mary Lonergan, corporate partnerships and engagement officer at Covenant House New Jersey (CHNJ), the event, which will take place at the organization’s crisis center in Newark in addition to virtual events at a location of one’s choice, is about creating empathy and understanding regarding the plight of youth homelessness.  

“Empathy is the big word,” Lonergan said. “There is nothing good about not having a place to call home … and not going to bed feeling safe.”  

This is the first time in three years that the Sleep Out Executive Event is being held live. While it will also be held virtually, the executive participants at the CHNJ’s Newark crisis center will be given sleeping bags and cardboard boxes and will sleep side by side in the facility’s parking lot.  

“They will do this no matter what type of weather. It’s chilly and cold in November, and if it’s raining, they will use their boxes for shelter. This is not meant to be pleasant. The intent is to be in solidarity with how much this is not pleasant,” Lonergan said. 

The Sleep Out does not only entail sleeping outside from the evening until 6 a.m. the next morning. The program also includes talks by homeless youth who have been helped by CHNJ.  

Business participants “want to hear their stories, how they came to Covenant House, how their lives have changed since they came here, what area their life journeys are now, and where they want to go,” Lonergan said. “A lot of people don’t know a lot about what we do.” 

CHNJ touches 300 youths every day. According to the organization’s FY2021 Impact Report, it provided 54,750 nights of housing last year. In terms of the makeup of the youth, it is 54% female, 45% male, and 1% transgender. In terms of race and ethnicity, 63% are Black, 24% Latino, 9% white, and 4% other. 

In other categories, 59% have a high school diploma, 36% have a mental health challenge, 36% were from a foster care setting, 33% have justice system involvement, and 32% are survivors of domestic violence. 

In addition to Newark, CHNJ has a crisis center in Atlantic City, where it is holding a Community Sleep out on Nov. 11. Additionally, there is a Sleep Out event on Nov. 4 specifically for insurance industry professionals. 

The crisis centers are usually the first stop for youth being assisted by CHNJ. “These are youths who need medical attention, need food, need legal help, need a bed, need a shower … who need to get themselves safe,” Lonergan said. After spending an average of 45 to 90 days at a crisis center, youths can then move to one of five CHNJ transitional housing locations in Newark, Elizabeth, Asbury Park, Montclair and Atlantic City. At these facilities they get their own room in a shared living space where they learn to cook and clean. 

According to Lonergan, CHNJ’s services continue “well into independent living because these youths may still need assistance with finding jobs, financial literacy, writing a resume, etc. 

To sign up and register for the Nov. 17 Sleep Out Executive Edition program in Newark, visit www.sleepout.org/event/executivenj. To register for the Nov. 11 Sleep Out Community event in Atlantic City, visit www.sleepout.org/event/atlanticcity. To register for the Nov. 4 insurance industry Sleep Out in New York City, visit www.sleepout.org/event/reinsurance. 

A Sleep Out Executive Edition program participant is given the goal of raising $5,000, but Lonergan said, “We don’t hold you to it. If you get there, that’s great.” 

By visiting the website mentioned above, one can set up their own campaign fundraising page, which can be shared with friends, family, and business colleagues. Sponsorships or matching gifts from business partners and foundations are encouraged, Lonergan adds. 

Since 2012, more than 1,200 individuals from companies across New Jersey, including Accenture, Amazon, Audible, Cisco, the New York Giants, Sanofi and Starbucks have raised $7.4 million to support Sleep Out Executive Edition. Globally, Covenant House’s Sleep Out fundraising program has raised more than $116 million since its inception more than a decade ago.  

Once again, New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is the chairperson of the CHNJ Sleep Out Executive Edition.  

Lonergan advises those interested in participating to sign up now so that they have enough time to fundraise prior to the Nov.17 event.

To access more business news, visit NJB News Now.

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