Twenty students from the RKYHS Homeless Awareness Chug spent the week gaining insight into the lives of homeless teens, handing out much needed supplies, followed by a solidarity sleepout at school.

The Covenant House Sleep Out is an international movement of individuals who accept the challenge to sleep outside for one night so that homeless kids don’t have to. The participants raised funds and awareness for Covenant House, a network of shelters that provides safety and support to homeless young people in more than 30 cities across the United States, Canada and Latin America.

The Tuesday before the event, alum Tziona Breitbart (JKHA ‘08/ RKYHS ‘12) spoke to the chug about Covenant House and the work that she does for the organization. She told many stories of the challenges these young adults face on a daily basis. Breitbart currently works a staff member at Covenant House in New York City where she deals with many runaway youth.

On the night of the sleepout, alum Adina Lichtman (JKHA ‘’07/RKYHS ‘11) met up with the participants of the solidarity sleepout in New York City, in front of the Bowery Mission, to distribute socks and other articles of clothing that were collected. The socks were donated to Adina’s organization, “Knock Knock, Give a Sock.”

When the students returned to the school, they watched an eye-opening documentary entitled “Shelter,” which traced the lives of young men and women who face the challenges of homelessness and the great work of Covenant House to help them get back on their feet and contribute to society.

All of the students then slept outside for the night to feel what’s it’s like to experience homelessness for one evening. They all came away understanding and empathizing with the plight of so many homeless people in this country and plan on continuing to raise awareness.