The Sleep out has been going on since 2018, and since then it has been a hit to all of the students. Every April, students have a chance to “Sleep out” in the courtyard to raise awareness and money for youth homelessness. For one night, rain or shine, students sleep on cardboard and sleeping bags instead of their rooms and beds. This opportunity gives students the chance to see what thousands of young people have to go through every day.
Students have three steps before they can participate in the sleep out, to write a paper on why you are participating in the sleep out, make a fundraising page to raise as much money as you can, and sign a form and bring it to the office. With around 80 students taking on the challenge this year the hope is to raise as much money as they can.
Fundraising is a big part of the night, students are told to share what they are doing to friends, family and anyone they can to try and donate money. The money given to the covenant sleep out organisation goes to the Covenant house to make those struggling feel comfort, to provide food, shelter, clothes and simply a roof over their heads like many of them struggle to find.
Once the night begins the students listen to a presentation from the Covenant house in hope to learn more about what they are doing and how they can help. Learning more about the program, statistics and overall what they are doing allows the participants to gain more knowledge about how they can help. The goal every year is to gain as much money as they can, this year $17,000 was raised and all of it is going to the Covenant house, although the goal was higher, any amount of money helps individuals struggling.
With students coming together they are able to support each other throughout the night and realize how much help they truly are doing. Gaining empathy throughout the experience is also a big part, realizing what so many people go through can change one’s perspective so fast. The Sleep Out has been a big part of MHS since 2018, and it will continue to change peoples lives.