Sleep Out is an immersive experience that offers opportunities to learn from experts on the front lines of ending youth homelessness, connect with your colleagues or community, and hear directly from people who have overcome homelessness.   The tone ranges from moments of celebration and inspiration to solidarity and reflection. 

The flow of the Evening Sleepers arrive at the Alaskan Native Heritage Center (ANHC)  and will have the opportunity to set up their tents and gear before boarding a bus that will take them downtown to Covenant House Alaska's annual Candle Light Vigil.  This event, while separate from Sleep Out is open to the public and is  always held on the same night as Sleep Out. After the Vigil, participants will board the bus for an outreach tour of downtown Anchorage designed to give participants insight about what our youth experience while surviving on the streets.  

Back at the ANHC, Participants will have a question and answer session with experts in our field and participate in round table discussions with youth  who have experienced homelessness and are receiving support from Covenant House Alaska. Their stories provide a profound perspective on the realities of life on the streets.

 Sleepout   At the end of the evening, you will spend the night outdoors to experience just a glimpse of the discomfort faced nightly by our youth.  However, you will have access to indoor plumbing and an area to warm up if needed.

Early Wake Up & Pack Out

Sleep Out asks you to have an open heart, an open mind, and a willingness to step outside of your comfort zone. In return, it promises a life-changing experience.

This event is limited to 50 participants.  To join this event in person,  Sleepers must at least 23 years old and work towards a $5,000 fundraising goal (with support from fundraising coaches!) and be invited or referred to attend as leaders in our community  If you, haven't received an invitation, but would like to participate, please reach out to Kerry Reifel at communications@covenanthouseak.org  .

Everyone is invited to attend this event virtually, Sleepers of all ages choose their own fundraising goal and identify their own Sleep Out location (somewhere safe and legal!).

If you want to Sleep Out but cannot attend this event for any reason, consider signing up as a virtual participant and customizing the experience and the fundraising goal to work for you. This is an excellent option if you would like to participate from home or with children. 

Sleep Out is a unique experience that encourages awareness, empathy, and understanding for the immeasurable odds that youth experiencing homelessness face. But while awareness of a problem is important, it isn't a solution. 

Sleep Out raises critical funds that allow Covenant House to offer 24/7 safety, shelter, and support to young people overcoming homelessness. By fundraising, Sleepers become part of the solution for youth facing homelessness. 

We ask each Sleeper to work towards a goal of $5,000. If you start or join a team, your shared goal will be equivalent to your combined individual goals (e.g. 3 people on a team x $5,000 = $15,000 goal), but you can use your team fundraising page to work collectively towards reaching it. 

If you're nervous about fundraising, reach out! Our team is here to support you every step of the way. Contact us to speak with a fundraising coach or visit our Fundraising Center for a step-by-step guide, sample messages, and shareable content. Fundraising can be daunting — it's part of the commitment you make to step outside your comfort zone when you decide to Sleep Out — but you are never in it alone. 

If you're looking for a Sleep Out with a smaller fundraising goal, consider signing up as a virtual participant which allows you to set a goal that feels right for you. 

Directly to Covenant House Alaska, where it is put to work caring for youth overcoming homelessness. Funds raised by Sleepers are put to use right away to help keep the lights on and the doors open for the young people who come to our facility each year. Sleepers also help fund vital services like medical care, legal assistance, education opportunities, vocational training, and therapeutic services that young people need to build stable, sustainable futures.