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an unforgettable overnight event: learn, connect, and make an impact

Would you give up your bed for one night to support thousands of young people experiencing homelessness in metro Atlanta? 

Covenant House Georgia's Sleep Outs combines learning, community connection, and fundraising - all in support of CHGA programs and youth!

When you sign up to Sleep Out, you'll receive a toolkit with social media graphics and sample fundraising messages. Ahead of the event, share with friends and family that you're sleeping out and gather support for the cause!

A typical Sleep Out event includes dinner, guided breakout conversations with other participants and CHGA youth to learn more about youth homelessness, hands-on programming, memorable speakers, and so much more.

Thank you to everyone who attended Sleep Out 2024! 

To learn more about how you can get involved email our Events Manager, Hannah Hamrick at hhamrick@covenanthouse.org

Frequently Asked Questions:
Sleep Out events

Sleep Out is a participatory event where Covenant House Georgia supporters give up their bed for one night to sleep outdoors on CHGA's campus, in support of young people experiencing homelessness and escaping trafficking.

When you Sleep Out, you'll be joining a worldwide movement to end youth homelessness! As part of the larger Covenant House International federation of shelters, Covenant House Georgia works in partnership with our peers to plan the best possible event - combining Sleep Out best practices with the unique needs of our Atlanta community!

Sleep Out events are hosted throughout the year for specific Covenant House Georgia communities. For instance, our Sleep Out: Executive Edition, hosted each fall, unites Atlanta's top executives and corporate leaders in support of our mission.

View our events page to browse upcoming Sleep Out events and learn more!

Sleep Out  in an overnight event begning at dinnertime through early morning. Leading up to your event, you'll receive more detailed information about your Sleep Out venue, event times, parking, and other logistics.

While details vary by event, a typical Sleep Out event may include:

  • Dinner with other participants and youth currently residing at Covenant House Georgia
  • Guided group conversations to learn more about the issue of youth homelessness in Atlanta
  • Remarks from CHGA leaders and community partners
  • A candlelight vigil to remember the young people who are no longer with us
  • Sleeping outdoors overnight in your sleeping bag, along with other "Sleepers"
  • Waking up to hot coffee and a quick breakfast treat before sharing goodbyes

More than 3,300 young people experience homelessness right here in metro Atlanta, according to the latest Georgia State University Atlanta Youth Count.

By signing up to Sleep Out and sharing about your experience, you'll raise awareness for this issue and raise funds supporting Covenant House Georgia's programs and wraparound support for young people experiencing homelessness and escaping trafficking.

Never fundraised before - or feel a little shy about it? Don't worry! You'll be provided a digital toolkit including sample email messages, social media post templates, and other materials that make it easy to share. Plus, our friendly members managing the event can answer any questions you have and support you in your outreach efforts!

Donations received toward your Sleep Out page will fund CHGA's programs including our P.J. Garcia Youth Shetler, our Rights of Passage transitional living program, educational and workforce readiness programs, case management services, healthy meals and snacks for youth, life skills classes including topics like budgeting and parenting, and so much more. Join us!

Sleep Out is a "peer to peer fundraising" event. This means that participants are asked to share about the event with your community and ask for donations in support of the cause.

Leading up to your Sleep Out, you'll be asked to spread the word about the event and your participation, and ask your community to make a gift toward your Sleep Out page. Our CHGA team makes it easy by providing a digital toolkit with sample email messages, social media post templates, and other materials. Plus, we'll be here along the way for any support you might need, or questions you may have!

Each year, our team loves seeing our "Sleepers" get excited when people in their network make a gift toward their page. And in turn, many Sleep Out donors report they feel happy to help be a part of the solution and to help young people experiencing homelessness. In fact, Studies have shown that "peer to peer fundraising" is the #1 motivator for people who decide to make a charitable gift!

These events take place at Covenant House Georgia's campus in West Midtown Atlanta. Participating sleepers spend the night with their sleeping bags outside of our PJ Garcia Youth Shelter and administrative buildings.

Our top priority is always the safety of our community. If you have specific questions related to Sleep Out logistics or sleeping arrangements, please connect with us to learn more!

While your packing list will vary depending on your needs, below are the items we recommend you bring to a Sleep Out:

  • Sleeping bag
  • Comfortable clothing to sleep in
  • Weather-appropriate accessories (i.e. hat, gloves, umbrella if needed)
  • Toiletries and any medications you may need

While we encourage all participants to be comfortable, we ask that participants skip luxury items such as e-readers, pillows, heaters, etc.  

Sleep Out