Bridge Communities’ Sleep Out Saturday to raise support for family homelessness

On Saturday, Nov. 2, hundreds of suburban Chicago residents will spend a night outside sleeping in tents, boxes, and cars for Bridge Communities’ Sleep Out Saturday.

This annual event now entering its 21st year will raise awareness of families facing homelessness and funds for Bridge Communities’ transitional housing and mentoring program.

Families, community groups, scouts, businesses and others will participate in an empathy-building night to learn about the causes of housing insecurity and brave a chilly night outside.

This year’s Sleep Out Saturday has a fundraising goal of $125,000, which is raised through peer-to-peer fundraising and corporate sponsorships.

To kick off Sleep Out Saturday 2024, an outdoor rally will be held in partnership with the College of DuPage, a longtime supporter of the event.

Participants and the public are invited to the College of DuPage campus on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Lakeside Pavilion on the COD campus, 425 Fawell Blvd. in Glen Ellyn.

The rally features music, games, speakers, food, and giveaways, before Sleep Out participants spend a night outside. All Sleep Out participants are encouraged to attend.

Proceeds from Sleep Out Saturday benefit the 100-plus families facing homelessness served annually by Bridge Communities to provide transitional housing, life-skills mentoring, financial counseling, employment training, tutoring, children’s services, nutrition coaching and more.

To sign up to sleep out or to donate to Sleep Out Saturday participants, visit www.bridgecommunities.org/news-events/sleep-out-saturday.