Why Cheryl Sleeps Out

For Cheryl, a Sleep Out veteran, the reason for supporting Covenant House became especially personal during a recent experience working in Yellowstone National Park. She shared this reflection about an unexpected conversation with a young coworker as she was fundraising for Sleep Out:

Some of you may know that I am working in Yellowstone National Park this Fall.  The experience has been wonderful!   An unexpected and delightful surprise has been meeting and getting to know my fellow workers.  Most are here for the same reasons, we love the park. But not all.  A co-worker in his early twenties asked what brought me to Yellowstone and I replied  ‘I love our national parks and the chance to live here temporarily was too good to pass up’.  And of course I asked, ‘How about you?’  His reply was short – ‘Homelessness'.  It wasn’t the response I was expecting and the conversation that followed stuck with me. 

Seasonal workers here have access to room and board for a modest fee taken out of their very modest pay.  For a few weeks this year, my hard working, diligent young co-worker, has had a roof over his head and food to live on.  But on October 31 the park closes for the season and with it his shelter – for him homeless begins again November 1. Where does he go? Without encouragement, possibilities, resources, and most importantly hope, his future, like that of thousands of young people like him, hangs in balance.

Though I just met him, my workmate is exactly the reason that I so actively support Covenant House – a remarkably effective program that gives young homeless youth a fighting chance.  The challenges our young homeless face are staggering and heart breaking. They need help, they need support, they need us.  That is why I will be Sleeping Out on November 19^th again this year, to raise awareness and money to help our most vulnerable youth and give them hope for their future.

You don't have to spend the night at Soldier Field to stand with young people experiencing homelessness. A gift to Cheryl's Sleep Out fundraiser helps Covenant House Illinois provide safety, support, and resources to the young people who need us.

Join Cheryl in creating hope for young people.

Support Cheryl's Sleep Out here: https://www.sleepout.org/participants/68962