DuPage Residents Fight Homelessness One Sleeping Bag At A Time
GLEN ELLYN, Ill., Oct. 10, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- This fall, with the U.S. credit rating crisis headlining news across the country, keeping a job, paying the mortgage and staying out of debt continues to be on everyone's minds. DuPage residents are no exception. Despite living in the wealthiest county in Illinois, DuPage County experienced a 20% increase in foreclosures last year and ranked 9 out of 102 counties in number of foreclosures.
For the eighth year in a row, Bridge Communities, a not-for-profit transitional housing program, is organizing a county-wide event to raise money for and awareness of homeless families in DuPage County. On Saturday, November 5, approximately 2,000 of DuPage residents will sleep outside during "Sleep Out Saturday". This year's event will feature approximately 75 outdoor sleep out sites in DuPage yards and parking lots, with adults and students sleeping in boxes, tents and cars. The 22-year-old organization hopes to spread the message that even one "sleeper" can make a change in the life of a DuPage family needing a place to call home.
"Sleep Out Saturday" will kick off with an outdoor rally featuring NBC5 personality Rob Stafford in downtown Glen Ellyn (505 Crescent Blvd.) at 7 pm. The rally will feature music, video, and live testimonials from Bridge Communities clients. The rally is free and open to the public.
Last year, "Sleep Out Saturday" raised over $100,000 for Bridge Communities' programs which serve more than 100 families annually in their transitional housing and shared-equity homeownership programs. The organization's services also include life-skills mentoring, an auto program, financial counseling and employment training. With clients having an even harder time staying employed and making ends meet, Bridge Communities has increased the services it provides to them.
Anyone is invited to participate in Sleep Out Saturday or to make a contribution. Just one person is powerful enough to make a change. Please text the word "Bridge" to 20222 to donate $10 which will be added to your next mobile bill.
For more information on Sleep Out Saturday, to participate, or to sponsor a "sleeper", call (630) 545-0610 or visit. www.sleepoutsaturday.org. Check out Sleep Out Saturday on Facebook too.
SOURCE Bridge Communities
WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Newsrooms &
Influencers
Digital Media
Outlets
Journalists
Opted In
Share this article