Dozens defying frigid temps sleep outdoors to raise awareness of youth homelessness

Susan Reyna-Guerrero, executive director of Covenant House Illinois, will spend the night sleeping outdoors in the organization’s courtyard in East Garfield Park. The annual Sleep Out serves to raise awareness of the difficulties faced by homeless youth and to help raise funds for Covenant House’s mission. (Tyler Pasciak LaRiviere/Sun-Times)

Dressed in several warm layers, dozens will spend a freezing night outdoors at Covenant House in East Garfield Park to experience the discomfort of homelessness first-hand.

About 100 people registered to participate in the sixth-annual Sleep Out at Covenant House Chicago headquarters in the 2900 block of West Lake Street, Covenant House officials said. The participants will sleep under the stars in a fenced-off lot adjacent to the building. Hundreds more are expected to join the event remotely in their own backyards or basements.