At the Covenant House Executive Sleep Out on November 21st, Covenant House President Kevin Ryan stood before almost 200 of the most powerful business leaders in the New York area and told them what their presence meant to the over 300 homeless kids living at Covenant House New York.
“The money we are raising tonight is amazing, and will help us save thousands of lives,” said Ryan. “But tonight you are helping us do so much more. When our kids see you here, and see you sleep on the street for them, it has deep meaning for them. It is powerful and life-changing. It means that you care not just about giving immediate help, but that you are here for them to be their family -- the kind of family most of our kids have never had before.”
At the same time Ryan spoke to New York area business leaders, the same scenario was taking place in 13 other cities across the United States and Canada. Business leaders gathered together to sleep on the streets, some in the cold, some in the rain. None pretending that one night on the street in any way compares to what homeless youth go through. But all knowing they have joined a powerful movement on behalf of courageous homeless youth. 
“Together across the U.S. and Canada we are a unified voice for the thousands of homeless kids and trafficked kids with no voice of their own, kids being abused and beaten and forgotten,” said Ryan. “With the money and awareness raised, this Sleep Out will save lives,” said Ryan.
Every one of the 500 sleepers had a different journey that brought them to the streets on November 21st. “My friend and colleague at the Coca-Cola Company, Ben Deutsch, is on the board of Covenant House Georgia, and he asked me to join the Covenant House Georgia Sleep Out,” said Wendy Clark, SVP of the Global Sparkling Brand Center at Coca-Cola. “We slept in sleeping bags on flattened cardboard boxes. But this was just one night for us. For more than 700 young people in Atlanta, sleeping on the street is every night.
“My overnight reminded me that too often we assume that a person’s circumstance indicates talent,” said Wendy. “Touring Covenant House’s colorful Art Room, I saw amazing talent. I also witnessed plenty of positive attitudes. And it was amazing to see the bonds between the young residents and the Covenant House staff.”
“Almost as soon as we pulled the sleeping bags over our legs, it started to rain,” said Rebecca Catalanello, a writer for the New Orleans Times-Picayune who participated in the Covenant House New Orleans Executive Sleep Out.
“It is a noble attempt to show solidarity with leagues of homeless youth, like the 668 that Covenant House served last year in New Orleans with shelter, food, clothes, medical attention, psychological attention and job training help,” wrote Rebecca. “Many of the people involved raised money, collecting $218,000 through their Sleep Out efforts.
“But, as well-meaning as we all are, it was clear that this one-night experience was nothing compared with the reality that more than 7,700 homeless people in our state experience every day.”
“When you are on a cardboard box on the streets of New York, homeless for one night, it is very impactful,” said Rick Van Benschoten, Founding Partner and Managing Partner of Lenox Advisors, Inc. “It makes you think about what kids have to go through on a daily basis, the terror they must face. It is also impactful to think that while we are sleeping outside the shelter, there are over 300 kids sleeping safely inside Covenant House New York. That puts a smile on all our faces.”
