LAKEWOOD, Ohio — A group of students braved the winter storm and spent the night outside to bring awareness to Cleveland’s homeless problem.
Youth from Lakewood Congregational Church participating in their Homeless Awareness Sleep-Out have constructed box shelters to sleep in outside of the church, which is their only source of shelter until Sunday morning.
The students range from 11-years-old to 18-years-old.
The event, designed to call attention to the plight and struggle of Northeast Ohio’s homeless community, is raising funds for several area homeless support agencies, including Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, Y-Haven and Family Promise of Greater Cleveland.
The youth spent the evening in front of the church along Detroit Avenue collecting donations from passersby until 11 p.m.
Over the last 15 years, this event has raised over $45,000.
In addition to the donations collected outside the church, online donations can be made here.
