Truth is believe it or not 90% of Americans are living pay check to pay check, which means if a few things go wrong, we could ourselves, be homeless. Over the past two years through this amazing journey I’ve been on with BCG, I can’t tell you how many homeless people I’ve met that are just like me and you. I’ve met nice looking men from all over the country, when I ask them why they’re homeless, it can be as simple as I lost my job, my girlfriend kicked me out, I have a record and I can’t find steady employment. I’ve met women and children who are sleeping on the streets, in tents, or in their cars and what’s worse is they work 40 hours a week, they are working and homeless. Let’s not even begin to talk about the number of homeless veterans, who have fought in wars and are homeless, truly it makes me sick to my stomach. There are so many different levels to homelessness in the US and my lingering is why?!
On any given night there are 643,067 people experiencing homelessness in the United States; of that number more than 44% are African-American. According to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, African-Americans, while only representing 11% of the general population, represent the highest homeless population in the country! Why do you think this is? What is it like to be homeless? Have you ever wondered what they go through, how do they get treated? How do they survive? What better way to get the answers to these questions, than to truly be homeless for a night?
The Campaign: “Homeless for a Night” is a national cause campaign to benefit homeless communities across the country.
The Goal: 100 People, 25 Cities, One Cause.
The Details: Every volunteer will be asked to collect donations of toiletry items, blankets, sleeping bags and other items to benefit over 1,000 homeless individuals collectively. All items will be donated to 25 select nonprofit organizations around the country for disbursement to those experiencing poverty and homelessness.
Gather and or Raise one of the following required donations:
* $50 – To purchase items for the homeless community.
* 5 blankets
* 2 sleeping bags
* 3 Homeless Necessity Bags (ziplock bag with each of the 10 items- Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Mouthwash, Bar of Soap,Washcloth or hand towel, Deodorant, Lotion or Powder, Comb or Brush, Tissues or Toilet paper, Hand Sanitizer or Feminine Hygiene Products).
We are looking at the following dates in 2014 for the campaign: March 21, April 18, May 16th (all Friday nights). We are asking all interested participants to spend some time researching areas in their city where the homeless reside. Get to know homeless organizations that provide food and or shelter. Participants may choose to stay on the street or in a shelter. We are asking all women to please be with a team, do not sleep out alone!
