Virtual Sleep Out

Use this toolkit to create a meaningful Sleep Out experience from wherever you are: the floor of your home, in a backyard if you have access, or even on a friend’s couch.

For many of us, a virtual Sleep Out will mean cueing up a few videos with stories from Covenant House youth, participating in a reflection activity, and finding a space to sleep on the floor. Personalize your experience by inviting others to join you, deciding to shut off your heater or forgo blankets for the night, saying no to pajamas in favor of the jeans you wore that day, or giving up your phone charger. If you’d like help figuring out how to make the night meaningful, please contact Kirsten Brauch at [email protected] or 314-450-7701.

Remember, the Sleep Out is meant to be a night of solidarity with the 4.2 million young people who experience homelesness each year. Many of these youth report couch surfing when they first become unstably housed. But our goal is not to replicate their experience or pretend to be homeless. We are stepping outside of our comfort zones to send a message to these young people — who have so often been ignored — that we care. And we can do that from anywhere.

Event Timeline -

The online Sleep Out program will begin at 7pm CST and is outlined below. Follow along with us all night — registered participants will receive email reminders — or pick and choose activities to join on your own timeline.

 

All content will be made available here, so continue checking back for new updates.

 

Friday, March 20, 2020

7:00pm CST | Welcome Message from Colleen Daum, Director of Advancement

  • Watch Colleen’s welcome message to kick off your Sleep Out on a positive note here.
  • A Video Library, Reading Room, and Social Media are also available below

 

7:05pm CST | Watch Live Broadcast on Facebook with Covenant House International, Rachel Brosnahan, and Jason Ralph 

  • The Facebook Live broadcast will be hosted here.​
  • Watch the Facebook Live broadcast with Covenant House International President Kevin Ryan, actress Rachel Brosnahan, actor Jason Ralph, and many of our supporters, including our remote Sleep Out participants, in solidarity with young people facing homelessness amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. 

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8:05pm CST | Create #SendTheCovLove Video & Social Media Fundraising

  • Action Step: Create your #SendTheCovLove video to connect to other Sleepers and let them know WHY you are sleeping out. Then, share it on social media with the tags @covenanthousemo, #SendTheCovLove, and #chmosleepout. When you post, ask your friends to donate to your Sleep Out campaign - make sure to include your personal fundraising page link. 

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8:45pm CST | Post-It Activity

  • An interactive Post-It activity is available here.​
  • Follow the guided activity for a better understanding of the young people who find their way to Covenant House.​
  • Action Step: post a photo of your post-its and share your reaction to the activity on social media. Tag @covenanthousemo and #chmosleepout.

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9:15pm CST | Youth Stories

  • Since you can’t be at Covenant House tonight, watch this video to see some of the great work that we are doing to support our youth.​
  • Action Step: find more youth stories in the Video Library and Reading Room below. Text or e-mail a friend or family member the link to the story that will stick with you tonight.

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10:00pm CST | Prepare Your Sleep Out Space

  • It's time to prepare your Sleep Out space. Set up your sleeping bag, make sure your phone is charged, and get ready to soak up this experience.
  • Action Step: If you haven't done so already, post your Sleep Out space on social media and tag @covenanthousemo.

 

10:30pm CST | Sleep Out!

  • Watch a goodnight message from Kirsten Brauch, our Events & Volunteer Coordinator.​
  • Action Step: post a goodnight message to your friends and family on social media. Find shareable content in the Social Media section below. Tag @covenanthousemo and #chmosleepout.

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Saturday, March 21, 2020

7:00-8:00am CST| Morning Reflection 

  • Watch a morning thank you message from Kirsten Brauch, our Events & Volunteer Coordinator.​
  • Action Step: email your donors a thank you note. Share about your experience and any reflections you’re having as you end your night on social media via post or video. Tag @covenanthousemo and #chmosleepout.

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Video Library

About Your Sleep Out Experience

 

  • Welcome Message: Message from Colleen Daum, Director of Advancement, to welcome Sleepers to the Virtual Sleep Out and wish them well​
  • Post-It Activity: Follow along with this video for a better understanding of the young people who find their way to Covenant House.​
  • #ShareTheCovLove: Participant videos that explain why they chose to sleep out - you can also search the hashtag on social media​
  • It’s Time to Sleep Out: A goodnight message from Kirsten Brauch, Events & Volunteer Coordinator​
  • Morning Thank You Message: A thank you and reflection message from Kirsten Brauch, Events & Volunteer Coordinator

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From Covenant House Youth

Watch an Impactful Documentary

  • SHELTER Documentary: From Vice Documentary Films, SHELTER tells the raw and emotional stories of young people seeking help and hope at Covenant House in New Orleans. If you have already seen the film, find updates from each young person here.

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Reading Room

Social Media

Checklist:

  • Share a youth story (link above)​
  • Post a photo of your Sleep Out set up. Include your fundraising link and why you’re giving up your bed for the night.​
  • Create a #ShareTheCovLove video explaining WHY you are sleeping our and share it on social media using that hashtag.​
  • Post a reflection in the morning. Tag your donors and thank them.​
  • Like @covenanthousemo on Facebook and #chmosleepout and tag us in your posts.

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Social Media Discussion Questions: 

  • What makes your house a home?​
  • What do you think of when you think of “homeless people”? How about homeless youth? How do those images compare with the youth sharing their stories?​
  • How did giving up your bed affect the rest of your day?

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Sample Social Media Posts:

Copy and paste any of these messages into an email or post. Include your personal fundraising link. 

This year, I signed on to Sleep Out outside for a night to raise funds for youth overcoming homelessness at Covenant House. Unfortunately, due to concerns about Coronavirus, I am no longer able to sleep out on the Covenant House campus.

 

I’m disappointed, of course, but whether I get in a sleeping bag on the concrete in my backyard or on the floor of my home, I’m proud of the movement I’ve joined to help shelter and support youth facing homelessness. These young people are the most vulnerable among us, not only to something like coronavirus, but to so many other illnesses, both physical and mental, that come directly from the trauma of living on the streets. Covenant House provides them with the life-saving care that they so urgently need, and their doors remain open for every young person seeking help.

 

Our support is their lifeline, which is why I am continuing my fundraising efforts. I hope you take notice of my commitment to these incredible  young people at Covenant House and honor their resilience with a gift on my Sleep Out page: [INSERT YOUR PERSONAL FUNDRAISING PAGE URL]

 

 

COVID-19 is affecting all of us, but it is a particularly challenging time for people experiencing homelessness. I committed to sleeping out to ensure that youth without anywhere else to turn can always find safety and sanctuary at Covenant House Missouri. Even though that looks a little different than I thought it would, I’ll still be sleeping out (in my backyard, on my floor, etc. -- INSERT YOUR OWN LOCATION) because I know that now, more than ever, youth facing homelessness need hope and support. Since we unfortunately can’t go to bars or brunch or take our usual spin classes at this time, I’m asking you to donate what you might have spent on those “extras” this week to my Sleep Out to support the young people at Covenant House. Any donation, no matter how small, has a huge impact on the lives of those who have so little. [INSERT YOUR PERSONAL FUNDRAISING PAGE URL]

 

Questions?

Email: [email protected]

Call: 314-450-7701

 

 

 

Find your sleep out page