2022-November-15

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Sleeping Out for a Purpose

BY RACHAEL CHAMBERS · DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY & PLANNING · UNITED STATES

WITH HELEN GALL

5 MINUTE READ · 7 MINUTE LISTEN

I often hear people say, “I wish we could do something about the homelessness situation.”

I believe in my heart that we can.

Every year in November, I am filled with hope as a group of committed and heartfelt Cisco citizens give up their beds for a night to change the world for youth experiencing homelessness.

Covenant House offers housing and support services to young people in need, including teenagers and single moms with infants and toddlers. In 34 cities across six countries, more than 2,000 young people sleep in a Covenant House bed each night.

The funds raised each year ensure that teens never have to see an adult shelter, which helps break the cycle of homelessness and offers a chance for success in this world.

It all starts with understanding how important it is to bring your voice and action to the cause.

Since 2016, our global Cisco movement has raised more than $13 million to support Covenant House through Sleep Out fundraising, matching gifts, technology grants, and other donations.

The direct impact of this fundraising is evident in Santa Clara, California, where Cisco was instrumental in opening a shelter in May 2021. One of their first residents, a young man named Pazz, carried the weight of the world on his shoulders when he came to Covenant House.

With a safe place to call home, he could focus on his education. This culminated at his graduation as the first in his family to earn a college degree. Pazz now attends a four-year university, plays football, and inspires people worldwide.

He’s just one of many young people who now have an opportunity at success thanks to Covenant House.

Our ongoing commitment is to continue this support until no youth is without a safe place to call home and opportunities to live a full life.

There is more work to do.

In the U.S., an estimated 4.2 million youth will be homeless in 2022. These are kids, many by no fault of their own, who find themselves away from their families, sleeping on the streets, in cars, couchsurfing, or in locations that minimize exposure to hazards of the streets.

In cities across the world, poverty, violence, abandonment, and abuse can force kids as young as eight into the streets, gangs, or human trafficking.

As a parent of two teens, including one who is neurodivergent, my heart breaks when I think of how vulnerable young people are in this world. It is incomprehensible to me that anyone, let alone a young person, is without a safe place to call home.

We can and must do better.

Cisco teams that participate in Sleep Out are not pretending to be homeless. They give up their beds to raise awareness, fundraise, and drive change for millions of young people who benefit from the work of the Covenant House.

The annual Sleep Out truly embodies our Cisco culture to change the world for the better.

Donate to end youth homelessness

On November 17, our Cisco community will once again Sleep Out in solidarity with young people experiencing homelessness to generate awareness and raise funds for Covenant House.

Employees gather in-person at Covenant House locations, Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Boxborough in Boston, and outside at their homes.

For the first time, Cisco employees will also join the Sleep Out in Boston, RTP, and Mexico City.

Fundraising, education, and camaraderie will be at the forefront of the evening. Sleepers will hear from current Covenant House residents and alumni. In the morning, participants will gather to reflect on their experiences before returning home.

As someone who has participated in multiple Sleep Outs, I can tell you it is a tremendously moving experience. Hearing stories of hope, love, and success from both current residents and alumni, it reinforces why we come back year after year.

Cisco’s commitment to ending youth homelessness runs deep. Although there are currently no Covenant House locations in Boston or RTP, our employees in those cities are some of Cisco’s most passionate fundraisers.

Team Boston has been the top fundraising team for the last two years. Their effort represents the Cisco spirit to make the world a better place for all.

Our 2022 goal for Team Cisco is to have at least 1,000 sleepers and raise $3 million in support of Covenant House.

Our $3 million goal is enough to provide 12,000 nights of shelter, two months of meals for more than 2,000 Covenant House residents, and one year of medical supplies across Covenant House locations in the United States, Canada, and Latin America.

Through your support, we can ensure that millions of young adults discover hope, success, and happiness in this world.

Please take a moment to donate to Team Cisco participants or join us for this life-changing experience and help achieve the $3 million goal!

Related Links

• Learn more about the Covenant House
• 50th Anniversary Covenant House Sleep Out Kickoff Call replay
• Special celebrity support videos, featuring Holly Robinson Peete, Peter Gallagher, Julie Benz, and more
• Cisco Covenant House SharePoint

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