What Is A Night on the Street?

A Night on the Street is an unforgettable overnight service experience for youth groups in the Twin Cities. You'll sleep out with only a cardboard box as shelter, learning firsthand about the challenges of being homeless. By drawing attention to the need for affordable housing, you'll put your faith into action in a concrete way and, at the same time, raise money to help prevent homelessness and provide housing that's affordable.

Raising Money for Housing

A Night on the Street asks you not just to learn about homelessness but to be part of the solution. Each teen receives a pledge envelope several weeks prior to the event with a goal to collect $100 in tax-deductible donations. Thanks to our generous sponsors, who cover the costs of the event, all of the money raised will go towards the work of Plymouth Church Neighborhood Foundation to create affordable housing. To learn more about the Foundation, visit our website at www.plymouthfoundation.org

A Night of Solidarity

A Night on the Street joins 7th–12th grade youth groups of all faiths in one voice against homelessness. The event begins Friday evening at 5 p.m. and concludes with worship and breakfast early Saturday morning at 8 a.m. Other than dinner and breakfast, which will be served inside, the group will spend the entire night outside in the church parking lot.

Throughout the evening you will hear and learn from people who have lived on the street and explore your own feelings of connectedness and understanding through music, art, and small-group interaction. You’ll stand in a soup line for dinner and receive a cool Street t-shirt as well as your own cardboard box as shelter for the night. The church will not be open for use during the night; however, there will be several portable toilets situated on the parking lot. Breakfast is provided in the morning.

Safety

There is an off-duty police officer and volunteers present and awake during the entire event. In addition, an adult chaperone is required to accompany and stay the night with each group of five youth. Chaperones are responsible for keeping track of the teens in their group. The chaperones are allowed to have cell phones in case of emergency.

What to Bring (and What Not to Bring)

A Night on the Street is intended to provide teens with an experiential sliver of what it might feel like to be homeless, living on the street. In that spirit, we ask that you bring only a blanket or sleeping bag. No pillow or backpack. No cell phone or CD player or iPod or flashlight. No food or drink or anything that would be considered unsafe. Not even a Frisbee or a skateboard. It is up to the chaperones to make sure the youth comply with these guidelines.

Put Faith into Action—Register Now!

A Night on the Street is open to all 7th–12th grade youth (adult chaperone required to accompany each group of five youth). Space is limited, so call now to reserve a spot for your youth group. Call Jenny Mason at 612-871-0890 or visit our registration page.

Learn more about the next A Night on the Street

Many thanks to our generous sponsors for making this event happen