Sleepout for Homelessness 2022: Hope Breaks Through

Over 86,000 Chicagoans have no place to call home each night – including over 18,000 CPS Students.  Last year, as the rest of the city sheltered in place from COVID-19, more homeless folks than ever showed up at Care For Friends, looking for help. 

And while the COVID-19 risk seems to be improving, we know that many Chicagoans are still housing or food insecure.

That's why we are again hosting our Sleepout for Homelessness - to show them that Hope Breaks Through.

We will gather in person and online at 7pm to light the campfire that traditionally starts our Sleepout for Homelessness. Some folks will stay in tents around the fire for 12 hours, while others will carry the fire out into the city, where our friends and supporters are committing to keeping a candle lit in their window until midnight, showing that when we all work together, we can make the world a brighter and warmer place for our neighbors and friends.

Whether you join us in person, online, or simply make a donation - we are grateful for your support.

This year, there are FOUR great ways to participate:

Be a Fire Spreader:  Come by and light a candle from our campfire. Hear our speakers, enjoy some smores and hot cocoa, and take your candle home to spread the light throughout Chicago. (This will also be streamed online for COVID-safe participation)

Be a Fire Spotter: Help us find glimmers of hope in your community! We'll send you a list of scavenger-hunt questions to answer ("where would a homeless person sleep tonight?," "where could they use the bathroom?" etc.). Sometime during the evening, you'll explore your neighborhood, take photos of your answers and post to social media. Ask friends for support via your personal fundraising page (but no fundraising minimum is required).

Be a Fire Tender: Sign up for a 30-minute timeslot during the night to make sure our fire keeps burning. Ask friends for support via your personal fundraising page (but no fundraising minimum is required).

Sleepout All Night: Our classic option - available for COVID vaccinated participants only on-site, or a sleep at home option where you make your own plans to spend a night in an outdoor space you identify on your own. Ask friends for support via your personal fundraising page (but no fundraising minimum is required).