On Thursday, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman will be participating in Covenant House’s Sleep Out, where over 1000 executives will sleep on the streets to bring awareness to homelessness.
“This will be the sixth year I will be sleeping out, and the experience has been different but impactful each time,” Cashman said. “Last year it really hit home with the severe rain and wind. Homeless youth have to deal with all the elements every night. I cannot even fathom the world they have to work through to even get to a level playing field. That’s why this Sleep Out is so important, it is a great way to show solidarity with homeless young people and work with them to build a new future.”
In addition to the Sleep Outs in 18 cities, Candlelight Vigils for Homeless Youth will be held at Covenant House programs as well as at high schools, colleges and individual homes.
In New York City, a Vigil will be held in Herald Square at Broadway between 34th and 35th Streets at 6 p.m. and will feature Cashman along with inspirational performances by Broadway stars Stephanie J. Block and Keala Settle. The Vigil will also feature formerly homeless youth bravely sharing their stories of hope, and will be emceed by CBS anchor Chris Wragge.
“These amazing Sleep Out participants will sleep out in solidarity with our kids so that all young people can be protected, be safe, go to school, find jobs, find long-term housing,” said Covenant House President Kevin Ryan, who will be sleeping on the street outside the Covenant House facility in New York City.
“Our goal is nothing less than to end youth homelessness,” Ryan continued. “We have a lot of work do to on a lot of fronts, but there is no reason that children should be homeless on the streets. I dream of the day we can close Covenant House because our shelters are no longer necessary … and our Sleep Out movement makes that a little closer to reality. The funds raised on November 17th will literally save thousands of lives.”