Granite Staters 'sleep out' in support of homeless youth in New Hampshire
On Friday night, more than 170 people across New Hampshire slept outside in the cold and in the wind, in an effort to raise funds and awareness for homeless youth in the Granite State.
This marks Waypoint's, a nonprofit that supports people of all ages through advocacy, 10th "Sleepout."
The Sleepout is an annual overnight fundraiser that helps raise money for Waypoint's services. In Manchester, approximately 70 people participated in an effort to get a taste of what it might feel like to be forced to live outside.
Over the past 10 years, the sleepout has raised two and a half million dollars for young people experiencing homelessness. Organizers said that this year alone, the group has raised approximately $400,000 — raising their total to nearly $3 million.
"One night out here doesn't even come close to the experience that homelessness has on youth and young adults every day," said Erin George-Kelly from WayPoint.
Participants included Manchester Mayor Jay Ruais, who also took part in the event last year.
"It's a small price to pay for a good cause. I think when you put it into perspective, what we're doing tonight is what somebody experiences every single day. It's the very least that we can do to make sure that we're raising awareness for something as important as this," Ruais said.
Other SleepOut events were held in Concord and Rochester.