Just a sleeping bag and a piece of cardboard: Dozens of professionals to ‘Sleep Out’ for Covenant House

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – They’ll be spreading out sleeping bags, getting ready for a chilly night outside in an effort to reduce the number of young people who are in the cold all the time.

Dozens of people will have only a sleeping bag and a piece of cardboard tonight, as they find out what it’s like to be on the streets in Downtown Vancouver for one night in the Sleep Out: Professionals Edition.

The event raises money for mental health and addictions programs at Covenant House, which supports homeless youth. Kristy Hayter with the non-profit group explains clinical counsellors work with teens and young adults dealing with those issues.

“They do a variety of therapies, from-on-one counselling to cognitive behavioural therapy and art therapy. They really help build those relationships with the youth and help them through that piece.”

Hayter notes the goal is to raise $240,000. “It also builds so much awareness in the community so people can understand more about what our young people are going through.”

NEWS 1130 midday anchors Tim James and Alison Bailey will be taking part in tonight’s event.

If you would like to donate, you can do so at sleepoutvancouver.org.

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