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November is National Homeless and Runaway Youth Awareness Month.

Sign up to Sleep Out here: http://attentionhomes.donorpages.com/sleepout2014/

BOULDER, CO. – Attention Homes has announced that on Thursday, November 13th over 100 community members will sleep out in support of homeless and runaway youth. November is officially Homeless and Runaway Youth Awareness Month. The 3rd Annual Sleep Out for Homeless Youth will be presented in partnership with First United Methodist Church of Boulder. Attention Homes, a local non-profit organization, is the only shelter for youth in Boulder County providing day and overnight shelter.

Participants will be spending the night sleeping outside on the lawn in downtown Boulder between Attention Homes’ office and the First United Methodist Church, near 15th and Spruce Street. They have pledged to each raise $1,000 for Attention Homes from friends, family and colleagues through their own fundraising page. Sleep Out is expected to raise more than $100,000 to support Attention Homes’ homeless and runaway youth services.

“The number of youth in our community who are either homeless or unstably housed is currently estimated to be 150 or more on any given night,” says Claire Clurman, Executive Director of Attention Homes. “Sleep Out is an opportunity to raise awareness about and funds for this critically important issue. By taking part in this event, individuals, community and business leaders will glimpse what life is like as a homeless youth by exposing themselves to weather and the uncertainties that come from living on the streets. Our hope is that as they return the next morning to safe and warm homes, their jobs and families, they will share a message of awareness and support for these local kids that need our attention and help.” Both principals from Fairview and Boulder High will be sleeping out this year.

Sleep Out participants will arrive the evening of November 13th at First United Methodist Church and take part in a simple meal provided by Pasta Jay’s before preparing to sleep out. Early the next morning, a light breakfast will be served before departing back to work and home where participants are encouraged to not shower or change in order to further heighten their connection to the experience of being homeless. Rev. Pat Bruns, Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church, was an early supporter of the event and believes Sleep Out perfectly complements their affirming and welcoming community that reaches out to support a variety of local non-profits. “Caring for one another works best when we build creative partnerships that help meet a wide variety of needs. Whether it is through our efforts with the Boulder County Aids Project, OutBoulder, Community Table, which also feeds the poor and homeless or by supporting the essential work of Attention Homes, we are doing what we all should do to help those who are so often both marginalized and forgotten in our community. And we are committed to changing the systems that create marginalization, neglect and homelessness in the first place.”

Attention Homes expects to serve close to 800 youth by the end of 2014 through street outreach, day drop-in services and overnight shelter. Programs connect vulnerable youth to education, employment, housing, mental health and substance abuse support and family reunification. To learn more about how you can participate go to www.attentionhomes.org/sleepout.

About Attention Homes:
Since 1966 Attention Homes has provided opportunities for youth in crisis to change their lives. We offer safe shelter, community-based living and teaching of life skills necessary for an independent future. Attention Homes operates the only shelter for youth in Boulder County.

Contact:
Claire Clurman : Executive Director
cclurman@attentionhomes.org
303.447.1206 x122
720.308.1001 (cell)
www.attentionhomes.org