Sleep Out: Research Triangle Park

Sleep Out asks you to have an open heart, an open mind, and a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. In return, it promises a life-changing experience. 

Sleep Out: Research Triangle Park will be held in-person on Cisco's campus. For this event, all Sleepers must: 

• Be at least 13 years old
• Be a Cisco employee, partner, friend, or family member
• Work towards a fundraising goal of at least $1,000

If you have questions about these expectations, please contact Tysheonia Edwards at [email protected].

If you want to Sleep Out but cannot attend this event for any reason, consider starting your own Sleep Out and customizing the experience to work for you. This is an excellent option if you would like to participate from home or with children. 

Sleep Out is an immersive experience that offers opportunities to learn from experts on the front lines of ending youth homelessness, connect with your colleagues or community, and hear from people who have overcome homelessness. The tone ranges from moments of celebration and inspiration to solidarity and reflection. An event schedule can be found here.

Sleep Out: RTP will be held onsite at Cisco's campus, and we will comply with their usual guidelines. Proof of vaccination and masks are not required to attend.

Your safety, and the safety of our youth and staff, is our top priority. Our COVID-19 safety policies are determined in accordance with state and city regulations as well as federal and CDC guidelines, and we will alert you if any changes are made. We thank you for your patience, flexibility, and commitment to the fundamental purpose of Sleep Out: to provide every young person with a safe place to sleep.

Sleep Out is a unique experience that encourages awareness, empathy, and understanding for the immeasurable odds that youth experiencing homelessness face. But while awareness of a problem is important, it isn't a solution. 

Sleep Out raises critical funds that allow Covenant House to offer 24/7 safety, shelter, and support to young people overcoming homelessness. By fundraising, Sleepers become part of the solution for youth facing homelessness. 

For Sleep Out: RTP, we ask each Sleeper to work towards a goal of $1,000. If you start or join a team, your shared goal will be equivalent to your combined individual goals (e.g. 3 people on a team x $1,000 = $3,000 goal), but you can use your team fundraising page to work collectively towards reaching it. 

If you're nervous about fundraising, reach out! Our team is here to support you every step of the way. Contact Tysheonia Edwards at [email protected] to speak with a fundraising coach or visit our Fundraising Center for a step-by-step guide, sample messages, and shareable content. Fundraising can be daunting — it's part of the commitment you make to step outside your comfort zone when you decide to Sleep Out — but you are never in it alone. 

If you're looking for a Sleep Out with a smaller fundraising goal, consider starting your own where you can set a goal that feels right for you. 

Directly to Covenant House, where it is put to work caring for youth overcoming homelessness and advocating for policies that improve the lives of young people everywhere. Funds raised by Sleepers are put to use right away to help keep the lights on and the doors open for the young people who come to our shelter each year. Sleepers also help fund vital services like medical care, legal assistance, education opportunities, vocational training, and therapeutic services that young people need to build stable, sustainable futures, and advocacy initiatives that work to advance issues like foster care reform, funding of transitional housing, and trafficking prevention.