Byline: Waypoint

Waypoint’s 2024 SleepOut hit a 10-year record, raising $411,000 (and counting) to address critical needs for young people experiencing homelessness in New Hampshire. Nearly 170 supporters bundled up and slept outside in 40 mile per hour winds to stand in solidarity with young people who experience homelessness each night across the state. Money raised from the March 29 overnight experiential fundraiser supports the state’s only low barrier young adult Emergency Shelter in Manchester and Youth Resource Centers in Concord and Rochester.

Youth homelessness across the state has become a growing concern and large societal challenge. On March 29, Waypoint is hosting the 10th Anniversary SleepOut to raise awareness for young people experiencing homelessness. This event will bring together people from across the state to raise collective consciousness about homelessness and to be in unity with young people who have no choice but to sleep outside in communities all over New Hampshire every night.

Granite Staters answered the urgent call issued by Waypoint this past Wednesday, which asked for donations of survival aid to help young people experiencing homelessness in New Hampshire.  The ask was made just before New Hampshire’s unprecedented cold snap.  

With bitter cold in the New Hampshire weather forecast this week, and limited capacity to shelter youth experiencing homelessness, Waypoint is putting out this urgent request to the community for donations of survival gear including the following:  sleeping bags, winter jackets, tents, hand and foot warmers, gloves, hats, and blankets. 

The shelter will house 14 beds and will provide young people, ages 18-24, low-barrier access to emergency beds and to all the services provided at the YRC during daytime hours.   Until now, New Hampshire was the only state in New England without an overnight emergency shelter with a continuum of services dedicated to young people.

Registration is open for the 8th annual Waypoint SleepOut, happening on Friday, March 25, 2022. The SleepOut is a night spent out in the cold to raise community consciousness about youth homelessness and to raise funds for services that fulfill critical needs and help to transform lives.  To register, go to www.waypointnh.org.

The Waypoint SleepOut calls for community members to spend the night out in the cold, in a show of solidarity, as a way to raise awareness and funds to aid homeless youth and take the next step toward ending youth homelessness in New Hampshire.