SLEEP OUT
Sleep Out to end youth homelessness!
Join the Movement and Sleep Out to End Youth Homelessness
We invite you to join us for a night outside to raise critical funds for TGTHR’s programs, raise awareness of youth homelessness, and inspire others to join the movement to end this solvable issue!
Over the years, TGTHR’s Sleep Out has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars and involved thousands of people in the movement to end youth homelessness. By participating in a Sleep Out, you prove that together we can ensure every young person has a safe place to live, access to education, wellness, and a supportive community. Every dollar raised transforms the future of hundreds of youth who’ve endured the realities of homelessness.
Our goal is to raise $200,000 to provide life-changing assistance and support to youth who need us the most, but we can’t do it without you!
Boulder:
March 24, 2022
6:00 pm – 7:00 am
First United Methodist Church: 1421 Spruce Street, Boulder, 80302
VIRTUAL:
March 26, 2022
You pick the time and location
YOU CAN HOST YOUR SLEEP OUT ANY TIME OF YEAR AND AT ANY LOCATION!
WHY SLEEP OUT?
We can’t end the causes of youth homelessness, but we can end the worst outcomes, TGTHR. Join us as we work to be one of the first cities in the country where no young person is forced to live on the streets, and every young person has the chance to thrive. We are building a movement that galvanizes communities, empowers young people, and puts an end to youth homelessness.
The Facts:
- 4.2 million young people experience homelessness each year.
- 1 in 30 youth (13-17 years of age) will endure some form of homelessness in year = 700,000 per year.
- 1 in 10 transitional age youth (18-24 years of age) will endure some form of homelessness in a year = 3.5 million per year.
- 40% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+ and state family rejection on the basis of their LGBTQ+ identity as the #1 contributing factor to homelessness.
- Within 48 hours of leaving home, 30% of youth will be recruited for human trafficking.
- 35% of youth who experience homelessness were formerly in the foster care system.
- Youth facing homelessness are 3x more likely to attempt suicide, 4x more likely to contract STI’s, and 10x more likely to drop out of school than their stably housed peers.
The time is now. The cause is just. TGTHR we can create a community where every young person is valued, empowered, and safe.
HOW IT WORKS
1. Register to Sleep Out – It’s FREE!
- Host your own Sleep Out on your desired day at your desired location and time, and tune in for TGTHR’s virtual Sleep Out program. Sleep Out by yourself or get your friends, family, and others involved!
2. Fundraise
- Once you’ve registered you will receive information on how to customize your donor page. Start by creating an account, then set a fundraising goal, update the message with a personal story of why you’re Sleeping Out, and then share with your network to start raising funds! Watch this step-by-step tutorial video by TGTHR staff on how to get started.
- Don’t be discouraged if this is your first time fundraising. Even if you’re able to inspire 10 people to donate $50, that provides the funds to furnish a first apartment for a youth ($500). No amount is too small and all will make an impactful difference.
3. Sleep Out
- On your Sleep Out night, you’ll get a glimpse into some of the harsh realities youth experiencing homelessness face.
- Your Sleep Out can look however you want it to in any location that is safe and legal. This could include your backyard, garage, porch, or as simple as the floor with minimal supplies. Invite your friends, family, and network to join you! We suggest the following timeline for the evening and can help you plan your event:
7:30 PM | Dinner
8:30 PM | Stream TGTHR Sleep Out Program Video (~30 minutes long) YOUTUBE PROGRAM VIDEO LINK HERE
9:00 PM | Discussion (See discussion prompts)
10:00 PM | Head Outside and Prepare to Sleep OutMorning: Breakfast and Morning Reflection Discussion (See discussion prompts)
TGTHR we can end youth homelessness in our lifetime.
Sponsorship
Sleep Out sponsorship is a great way to partner with TGTHR, that benefits both young people and your business. Please contact Beth Oppenheim at boppenheim@tgthr.org for more information about available sponsorship opportunities.
sleeper toolkit
Please find our Sleeper Toolkit with all the resources you need to meet your fundraising goal! Equipped with sample messaging, templates, social media graphics, and tutorial videos, you’ll have everything you need to have a successful Sleep Out.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Once you register you will receive information on setting up your donor page.
- TGTHR has provided templated messaging within the donor template page. You can customize your page with any additional details found in your Sleeper Toolkit here.
- Once your donor page has been created, you will be able to set a fundraising goal and then share with your network to start raising!
Your Sleep Out can look however you want. We suggest the following timeline for your night:
7:30 PM | Dinner
8:30 PM | Stream TGTHR Sleep Out Program Video (~30 minutes long) YOUTUBE PROGRAM VIDEO LINK HERE
9:00 PM | Discussion (See discussion prompts)
10:00 PM | Head Outside and Prepare to Sleep Out
Morning: Breakfast and Morning Reflection Discussion (See discussion prompts)
- Not necessarily. If you would like to participate, but do not feel comfortable sleeping out, you can still join in the fundraising piece only. Create your donor page and share with your network to raise critical funds to support TGTHR’s programs.
- We suggest bringing the following items for your night outdoors:
- A Sleeping bag (winter temperate-grade is preferred)
- Sleeping pad
- Waterproof barrier (tarp or other similar material)
- Pillow
- Winter headgear (beanie, hat, earmuffs, face covering)
- Winter jacket, rain jacket
- Earplugs or earphones
- Sleeping eye mask or face covering
- Winter gloves or mittens
- Well insulated clothing (base layers with waterproof outer layers)
- Warm socks
- Reusable water bottle
- Small flashlight
- Personal snacks
- Safety is our first and foremost concern, whether it is for the young people we serve or for our larger community. We will take all necessary precautions to ensure you are safe if you decide to Sleep Out with us in-person.
- If doing a Virtual Sleep Out, we recommend that you pick an alternative location that is safe and legal. This could include your backyard, floor in your living room, another friend’s house, or a location you have permission to be at.
- At TGTHR (formerly Attention Homes), we are building a movement that galvanizes communities, empowers young people, and puts an end to youth homelessness. We won’t stop until every young person is valued, empowered and safe.
- TGTHR is a social movement and non-profit working with courageous communities across the country to end youth homelessness. For youth between the ages of 12-24 we provide employment assistance, education programs, supportive housing, short-term housing, long-term housing navigation, support and inclusivity groups, family coaching services, life-skills development, mental and physical wellness support, and an array of individual and group activities.
- TGTHR operates five main programs including Chase House, The Source, 1440 Pine, Transitional Living Programs, and Street Outreach. You can learn more about each of these programs HERE.
- All funds raised will be used to directly support TGTHR’s general operating fund, which ensures our critical programs operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- $50 can provide a youth with recreation and socialization opportunities with peers
- $100 can provide an hour of life-skills courses, like cooking and budgeting
- $250 can support a youth as they prepare for their first job interview
- $500 can furnish a first apartment for a youth
- $1,000 can provide a youth with 20 hours of counseling, including family coaching
- Please contact our Events Team at events@tgthr.org.
OUR IMPACT
In 2021 TGTHR:
- Served a total of 314 youth.
- Helped 127 young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness access safe housing through emergency shelter case management and family reunification supports, transitional living services, and apartments in our supportive housing complex.
- Provided 234 youth and young adults a safe place and critical services through our overnight shelter, drop-in center, and street outreach programs. These young people were able to access basic needs, safe shelter, counseling, physical and mental healthcare, employment support, access to our GED program, and more.
- Delivered 4,019 nights of care to youth in the foster care system and youth experiencing homelessness as they gained stability, attended school, and became both physically and emotionally healthier.
- Co-sponsored and helped draft two pieces of state legislation to support youth experiencing homelessness.
- Hosted two vaccine clinics and two educational opportunities for program participants to learn more about COVID-19, helping 50 individuals receive a vaccine or booster.
- Formed TGTHR’s first-ever Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion (JEDI) Committee which led efforts in advancing equity across the organization including: launching a survey to understand TGTHR’s strength and opportunities related to becoming an anti-oppressive organization; adjusting policies & procedures to support a more inclusive workplace; and organizing anti-oppression training for staff and board to continue their internal anti-bias work.
- Secured land and funding, including a Low Income Housing Tax Credit award, for a new, 56-unit housing project in Denver, opening in 2023.
In 2021 TGTHR provided:
- 17,663 hot meals to young people.
- 4,127 hours of case management to support young people in achieving goals.
- 1,490 hours of healthcare including on and off-site appointments, mental health support, substance use counseling, and sexual health programming.
- 4,443 hours of life-skills development.
- & more to support young people in moving toward self-sufficiency.