A Sleep Out to Support the Homeless
In honor of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, a friend of Pathways to Housing PA is "sleeping outside" to help our area's homeless children. Wil Reynolds, founder of SEER Interactive, a Philadelphia-based SEO firm and a board member of Convenant House will be particpating in a "Sleep Out" on November 20th.
Wil graciously took some time to talk with us about his sleep out.
Why have you decided to sleep out for homelessness?
I've been working with "The Cov" for probably somewhere around 10 years, so I've always worked with their kids in some capacity, 3 years ago I was approached to do the first sleep out in Philly (they had been done in NYC previously) and decided it was a great way for my to get a little bit more understanding of the kids and what they were going through in some small way.'
Where will you sleep and will you build your own structure or take cover in an existing area?
I'll sleep in a parking lot in the Germantown section of the city. It is where our shelter is and we'll be sleeping in the parking lot of the shelter.
What do you imagine will be the hardest part of experiencing homelessness for a night?
Having done this for 2 years its all about the cold, at a low in the low 30's it gets pretty brutal. The feeling in your bones is just tough, I do really poorly in cold weather. That is the physical hard part, but mentally you think of how many kids are doing just this for days and weeks and months, not just for one day. It's tough.
What do you hope our community will learn from your experience?
I hope other business leaders will realize that this is another way that we can help make this city a better place. We all have an active role in our communities.
What are some ways that others can help build awareness around this issue that affects so many communities?
I would strongly recommend that your readers consider joining me and the others on the young professionals group - https://www.facebook.com/chyoungprofessionals its a great way to get started.
How can we learn more about your "sleep out"?
Visit my sleep out page!
Many thanks to Wil for helping bring awareness to our friends and neighbors living without shelter on the streets.
In honor of National Hunger and Homelessness Week, Pathways to Housing PA will be hositng a benefit concert to help provide homes to people who are homeless right here in Philly. To help the homeless while having some fun, join us!
Benefit Concert featuring West Philadelphia Orchestra!
Date: November 18th
Doors Open: 7:30 pm
Showtime: 8:00 pm
Place: World Cafe Live Philadelphia - Upstairs
3025 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19104
Tickets: $15.00 (+$3.00 processing fee)
Get your tickets!
