The musicians provided the guitars, the chocolate provided the bars and the sky provided the stars.
“We sleep out so homeless teens don’t have to,” Volunteer and Development Coordinator for The House Sharon Bouse-Ferry said.
On Sept. 27, The House, a local shelter for homeless teens held their annual Night on the Street, to bring awareness to the over 200 homeless youth in Grand Junction.
“The solidarity offered through the sleep out portion is something we encourage everyone to try at least once,” Bouse Ferry said. “Many of the youth we provide services to find themselves in situations where they are left with no choice, and they end up in need of shelter and services.”
Partnering with Colorado Mesa University and their Greek Life chapters, the event took place in the main Plaza, with tents set up for the overnight sleep-out. Food, games, and live music were provided.
One in four homeless individuals in Mesa County is under the age of 18, according to Sharon Bouse-Ferry.
“Last year while I slept out under the stars at Night On the Street wishing I had remembered to bring a tarp for under my sleeping bag… and a pillow… I just kept telling myself, ‘This is my choice. This is my choice. This is my choice,'” Bouse-Ferry said.
“And that was a really powerful experience. So much so that I have double the number of family and friends sleeping out with me this year so they can experience it too.”
The House is the only licensed Emergency Teen Shelter between Denver and Provo Utah. All the proceeds of Night on the Street went directly to supporting unaccompanied homeless youths.
One of the House’s programs, Zoe House, is one of three programs of its kind in the nation, meant to provide transitional living for youth made homeless as a result of domestic violence, stalking, and trafficking.
“It’s a somber and wonderful experience that fuels passion for vulnerable youth that need lots of people in their corner,” Bouse-Ferry said when asked about her experience with Night on the Street.
