2019-November-18
Did you know? You can share this story using the social media icons on the upper left. Use the hashtag #WeAreCisco. You can also rate or comment on the story below.
I’m Sleeping Out. Are You?
BY MARK DODDS · SVP GLOBAL ENTERPRISE AMERICAS · UNITED STATES
When we go to bed each night, most of us don’t consider the warmth of our bed, the safety of our home, or the security in knowing it will be there each night.
Those of us who are parents take comfort in knowing our children fall asleep in their own beds, in their own rooms. To put it simply: We take having a home for granted.
For homeless teenagers, a warm, safe place to fall asleep isn’t guaranteed. Each year in the United States, more than 4.2 million young people experience a form of homelessness, whether it be couch surfing or sleeping on the streets.
That statistic astounds me.
I first learned about Covenant House two years ago. The organization offers housing and support services to young people in need. Cisco employee and volunteer captain Leah Rayburn recruited me to Sleep Out, which is Covenant House’s annual fundraiser.
So, what does it mean to sleep out?
Sleeping out isn’t about pretending to be homeless. It’s about putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. It’s about showing these teenagers that people do care.
When you arrive at your sleep out, you check in, then join the other volunteers. You learn more about Covenant House and its work, and meet with current residents and alumni. The stories you hear are powerful and heartbreaking, reinforcing why you are Sleeping Out.
At the end of the evening, you receive a cardboard box and clean sleeping bag and go outside for the night … to sleep.
I was in New York City the first time I slept out. There was a strong, cold wind that night. And all around me were the sounds of car horns, sirens and garbage trucks. Between the wind and the constant noise, it was impossible to sleep.
Morning came, and I was achy, shivering, and exhausted. I can’t imagine waking up this way every day and having to concentrate at work or school.
For one out of every 30 adolescent minors, this is their daily reality. It doesn’t have to be this way.
Sleeping out is a life-changing experience. Most sleepers return year after year. It’s why our grassroots effort supporting Covenant House has grown considerably over the past six years. It’s why our volunteer captains lead the way with their passion and commitment to ending homelessness.
None of us get to choose our parents or the life we’re born into. Most of the young people Covenant House serves are homeless due to past trauma.
If these kids don’t get help, there’s a high likelihood they’ll remain homeless through adulthood.
Covenant House not only gives them safety, shelter, food, and clothing, it provides resources to help these kids have a better future, like counseling, healthcare, and job training.
This year’s Sleep Out takes place on November 21. We hope to recruit 1,000 sleepers across the U.S. and Canada.
So far, we have more than 470 participants taking part in the Sleep Out, including 38 leaders. Earlier this week, we smashed our original target to raise $1 million for Covenant House. So why stop there? Our new target is to raise $1.5 million, which I’m sure you can help us achieve.
We’re fortunate to work for a company whose principles inspire us to make a difference and whose benefits make it easy to share the blessings we have with others. It’s one of the many reasons why I’m proud to work for Cisco.
All kids dream about the future. Covenant House gives them the safety to look forward to their future, so they can imagine what they’ll become instead of dwell on their past.
Don’t leave us out in the cold alone, come and join us for this life-changing experience. Sign up to sleep out, donate to a colleague’s fundraising page or share our message on social media (#CiscoSleepsOut).
Related Links
Connect everything. Innovate everywhere. Benefit everyone.
Share your thoughts!
Log in to rate and commentShare your thoughts on the story here!