Volunteers sleep outside in Chicago to support homeless youth

Sleep Out: A global movement to end youth homelessness

Tonight, hundreds of people in more than 2 dozens cities are trading the comfort of their beds for cement. It's the National Sleep Out.

CHICAGO - This month is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, and one Chicago organization is hosting its annual Sleep Out to support the city’s youth facing homelessness.

What we know:

Over 100 volunteers will join Covenant House Illinois on Friday night to sleep outside along Wacker Drive. They will hear from youth the organization has helped over the years. 

Each year, Covenant House provides more than 70,000 meals and housing for young adults across the city.

The event raises money to ensure that young adults facing homelessness have a safe place to sleep.

"Sleep Out is an act of compassion and solidarity," said Susan Reyna-Guerrero, CEO of Covenant House Illinois. "A single night where we give up the comfort of our beds and affirm in one resounding voice that no young person deserves to be homeless."

What's next:

The Sleep Out begins at 8 p.m.

You can learn more about how to join the Sleep Out online at sleepout.org/chicago.