What is the Sleep Out? 
Who is coming? 
When is the Sleep Out?
Where is the Sleep Out? 
Why?
How?
What is tothestreets.org now and what is it going to be?
Why come from outside Chicago? 
How can I learn more about the issues?
What is the Declaration?
What does one-on-one grassroots education look like? 
Why spend 24 hours out on the streets in the middle of February?
What will I be doing for 24 hours?
What should I wear?
What should I bring? 
Is this legal? 
Is this safe!?

What is the Sleep Out?  A student initiated event involving 24 hours out on the street to raise awareness, educate and engage people and the government on the issues of homelessness, hunger and poverty. 

Who is coming?  This event will involve students, people of faith and other concerned individuals from across the Midwest. Students are coming from North Park University, North Park Seminary, Moody Bible Institute, Judson College, Wheaton College, Illinois State University, University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana, Marquette University, Muskegon College, Washington University in St. Louis, Trinity Christian College in Palos Heights. Other participants will be coming from; the National Coalition for the Homeless, Call to Renewal, Protestants for the Common Good, Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Let Justice Roll Coalition, New Life Choices Prison Ministry, New Life Community Network Ministry, United Body of Christ Ministries, Jesus People USA, Conerstone Ministries and the Metropolitan Association of Congregations.  (email us to add your groups name to the list!)                  

When is the Sleep Out?  We will start to gather at noon on Saturday February 19th and go to noon on Sunday February 20th. Those who are unable to sleep out with us for the whole time are encouaged to attend on Saturday from 1 to 3 PM for the signing of the declaration and the press conference.  There will also be a informational training session (more here) on February 18th from 5:30-8:30 at North Park University.

Where is the Sleep Out?  The Water Tower on Michigan Ave.

Why?  We believe that the issues of homelessness, hunger and poverty have been sidelined long enough by the government on local, state and national levels and need to be made a priority now.  We also believe that the government alone can't and won't solve the problem; to effectively confront the issues will also take a grassroots movement of individuals and communities who are ready to join in the fight.   

How?  We plan to accomplish these goals through several different means.

What is tothestreets.org now and what is it going to be?  This website is a student endeavor to change the way that the city of Chicago deals with poverty.  Currently it is hosting all of the information for the upcoming sleep out but after the event it will serve as a “third party” site existing with the sole purpose of educating and engaging its visitors.  It is easy when looking to get involved with an issue as extensive as poverty to get overwhelmed with the vast amount of information available and confusion in how to respond.  When completed this site will offer an introduction to various issues concerning homelessness, hunger and poverty, it will also then provide links to other websites containing more in depth information.  In order to further engage people this site will also contain well organized descriptions of and links to groups doing work on these issues both locally and nationally.

Why come from outside Chicago?  While this event is occurring in Chicago and will be addressing issues within the city, much of this event's strength and potential comes from its far reaching support from around the Midwest.  Those attending from outside Chicago and outside Illinois are joining with us to address national issues and be a key part of the educational process in letting the public and the media know that this is not an isolated problem/movement.

How can I learn more about the issues?
North Park University will be providing training and informational sessions before and after the event.  The purpose of these sessions will be to not only inform those attending but also to equip them to spread the word to others. The first session will be February 18th from 5:30 to 8:30 in North Parks Hamming Hall with Breezer Rickey focusing on the following issues

• Poverty as cannibalism
• Why is their homelessness?
• What does homelessness look like?
• Hunger… in the US?
• Grassroots education, the “How-To Guide

What is the Declaration?
We have joined with Protestants for the Common Good in their faith-based covenant against poverty and expanded it into a declaration against poverty in which all students, people of faith and concerned citizens can find common ground on. 

What does one-on-one grassroots education look like? 
Grassroots education has many different forms, but it generally refers to people going out, getting educated on an issue and then spreading the word any way they can.  This will occur specifically during the event through the distribution of information, initiation of conversation and promotion of tothestreets.org. 

Why spend 24 hours out on the streets in the middle of February?
First, we are looking to stand in solidarity with those who do not have the freedom to make the decision to sleep inside that night.  The reality of people sleeping on the streets always exists but is usually very easily ignored.  We will be making it impossible for 24 hours for the City of Chicago to simply look the other way.  Secondly, we are using the sleep out as a platform for awareness and education through the media.   

What will I be doing for 24 hours?
These 24 hours are not going to be formally programmed.  Participants are encouraged to be on the streets for the full 24 hours but involvement will certainly vary.  This time can be spent in any number of ways including; engaging someone on Michigan Ave. with information on the issues, interacting with other participants or simply sitting with a sign.  This will also be used as a tool to gain a media platform through which the declaration against poverty can be made. 

What should I wear?
Hats, gloves, coats, lots of layers, blankets, sleeping bags and anything else your mom would tell you to bring to stay warm.

What should I bring? 

• Information sheets on poverty issues for Chicago or wherever else you might be from 
• Creative signs with stats, provoking questions and awareness raising statements 
• Promotional materials for the website
• Camera (these always come in handy)

Is this legal?
This event is simply taking what occurs on Michigan Ave. every night (people spending the nights on the streets) and making it occur on a much larger scale.  The event itself as a rally is legal and so is the sleeping on the streets.  We are currently developing and hoping to maintain a positive relationship with the police force in the area in order to ensure maximum success of the event and avoid any unnecessary friction. We are asked to not block passage along the sidewalk or entrance into any building. Remember, this is NOT a protest, we are NOT there to cause trouble and all actions of particpants should always keep in mind what is best for the cause.

Is this safe? Anyone participating in the sleep out will have available to them many priveleges that those who sleep on the streets every night do not have available to them. First, participants will be asked to sleep in groups and to stay at the Water Tower or other highly visible areas directly next to the Water Tower. Second, we will have teams of students patrolling the area throughout the night as well as regular police presence. Third, an EMT will be present and on call throughtout the event in case of an emergency. Fourth, on the website, through the email list and on info sheets the day of the event a list of emeregency numbers and procedures will be made available.