Business executives, volunteers trade night in bed for night on the streets to bring awareness to homeless youth

HOUSTON – After Houston Mayor John Whitmire outlined his plan Thursday to reduce homelessness in the city, another organization is also raising awareness of the issue.

For 13 years, Covenant House has organized a sleep out, an event where volunteers and business executives exchange a night in their bed at home for a night on the streets to bring awareness to youth about homelessness. The event is also a fundraiser for the organization.

Hundreds of people walked the streets of downtown Houston holding candles, all hoping to shed light on the problem.

“We’re specifically targeting 18-24 year olds transitioning out of homelessness,” said Felicia Broussard, chief development officer at Covenant House. “What you saw was the community coming together in solidarity, showing support for young people who we know are promising.”

Broussard was surrounded by executives from major corporations like Starbucks and Phillips 66, where Chief Economist Sean Maher’s team raised $90,000, all to help Covenant House reach its $1 million fundraising goal.

“Homeless youth have to do this 365 days a year in all kinds of weather, and this is the most real way to try to raise awareness and empathy for what they’re going through,” Maher said.

Maher gave up his bed for a spot on the cold ground outside the Ion building. Before that, he and his team loaded meals into vans to give to homeless people on the street.

The efforts proved effective. Jalen Berry Washington, 22, was homeless before Covenant House helped him get back on his feet.

“They provided a lot of resources, like jobs and living situations,” Washington said.

He is now able to support himself.

“I took my steps, you know, steps, you know step by step and now I’m back on it,” he said.

Sleepover ends Friday morning at 7am For more on Covenant House, click here.