“Our Sleep Out is a meaningful way to build awareness within the community about the challenges of being homeless while demonstrating to participants what it really feels like to live on the streets,” said Grace Centers of Hope CEO, Pastor Kent W. Clark. “On any given night, there are more than 100,000 homeless in Michigan who are simply struggling to survive. Unfortunately, the fast approaching winter season only makes this issue even more important for us to address as a community.”

At 8 p.m., groups of high school and college students, church groups, families and individuals will gather together to construct makeshift shelters from cardboard boxes and other materials that will be used to sleep in overnight. Once completed, participants will hear testimonies from individuals who have overcome their own issues of homelessness as well as brief presentations by local agencies to spotlight the wide-variety of support services found within the community. In addition to Grace Centers of Hope, agencies taking part in the Sleep Out will include the Baldwin Center, HAVEN, Common Ground, SOS, and many more.

Other activities taking place before 11 p.m. and open to the community include an exhibit of old doors painted by artists to represent the harsh realities of living on the streets, music by local bands and a candlelight and prayer vigil. There is no cost to participate in this event, however pledge sheets are available for those who are interested in raising funds for Grace Centers of Hope. For more information or to pre-register for “Sleep Out Against Homelessness,” visit www.gracecentersofhope.org or call 1-855-HELP-GCH.

About Grace Centers of Hope
Giving hope to the helpless since 1942, Grace Centers of Hope is one of southeast Michigan’s oldest and largest service providers for the homeless. Today, Grace Centers of Hope is considered one of the leading faith-based organizations in Southeastern Michigan, confronting issues of homelessness, addiction, poverty, abuse and spiritual emptiness on a daily basis. On any given night, Grace Centers of Hope provides transitional and emergency shelter to 150-200 men, women and children, in addition to serving more than 100,000 meals each year. Grace’s $4.8 million yearly budget is maintained solely through corporate and private donors, exclusive of any government assistance. For more information, or to make a donation, visit www.gracecentersofhope.org.