On Friday, April 7th over 500 individuals gathered at the United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches to unite for a cause that hits home for the community. Homelessness is a growing issue – every year over 1,600 men, women, and children in Palm Beach County find themselves without a home. The Lord’s Place is helping give these individuals back their voices, and their lives.
SleepOut, the annual event held by The Lord’s Place, reached a major milestone this year with its 10th anniversary…and it proved to be its best year yet. SleepOut encourages participants to attempt to feel what it’s like to be homeless, and sleep outside without the comforts of a home, or a bed. Over the years the event has grown significantly, and with a decade under its belt, SleepOut has turned into a major production. The evening’s program, featured various acts from singing and dancing, to heartwarming personal success stories from individuals who were able to rebuild their lives thanks to The Lord’s Place.
Prior to the event, an anonymous donor committed to match $100,000 in donations, and in absolute awe of attendees, during the event program, the Honorable Ann and Don Brown (pictured below) announced that they would match the organization’s goal of $300,000. Overall The Lord’s Place wound up raising $750,000, proving to be its most successful fundraiser yet.
In 2016 alone, the organization housed close to 300 individuals within their programs. On average 95% of these individuals were no longer homeless at the end of the year, and 59% of all adults who exited the housing programs left with jobs and increased earned income and savings. The organization truly provides comprehensive services to not only assist individuals in need of housing, but they also help these individuals rebuild their lives and become self-sustainable.
MoreVisibility proudly supported and attended the event, in addition to live streaming the evening’s program on Facebook. The video is available to view here.
For more information, and to support The Lord’s Place mission, please visit https://support.thelordsplace.org/.