Seventh Annual Sleepless San Diego

More than 10,000 men, women, and children are homeless in

San Diego.

Some have suffered sudden homelessness due to abuse or

economic hardship. Others have endured chronic homelessness, which means they

have lived in an emergency homeless shelter continuously for at least one year

or have experienced four episodes of homelessness over a three-year span. 

To

increase awareness of the homeless and provide a forum for the community to get

involved in changing lives, the San Diego Rescue Mission (www.sdrescue.org) will hold its Seventh Annual Sleepless America San Diego

event on September 21/22, 2013 at Liberty Station.  The event begins at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday and ends Sunday morning at 6:00 a.m. This SLEEP OUT or STAY

LATE event raises awareness of homelessness, educates San Diegans on ways they

can help those on the streets, and generates funds to help thousands of local

homeless men, women, and children put their lives back together. To register,

please visit www.sleeplesssandiego.org.

Herb Johnson, President and CEO of the San Diego Rescue

Mission, noted that since 1955 the Rescue Mission has provided sanctuary and

hope for the homeless. Over the years, it has adapted and expanded to address

the evolving demands for service.  

Long-term rehabilitation and restorative programs, emergency shelter for

women and children, and a recovery center for the homeless leaving the hospital

are just some of the programs through which the Mission gives people the tools to escape the

streets.

“Seven years ago, the San Diego Rescue Mission, in

collaboration with other faith-based, social service, and community partners,

launched Sleepless America San Diego to bring attention to the challenges of

chronic homelessness and the ever increasing number of people living on the

streets of this wonderful city,” said Johnson. “We needed to do something to

elevate the process of finding solutions. This year, we expect about 25 to 30

Rescue Missions across America will participate in Sleepless America.”

In an effort to increase education and awareness, there will be

activities to help the homeless, educational discussions, games, and Sleepless

products.

Johnson noted that participants can come for the evening activities

only.  Those who wish to sleep over will

be able to choose to sleep on a cot, cardboard, or plastic sheeting to gain a

greater appreciation of the homeless condition. 

“We clearly recognize that Sleepless America San Diego does not in any

way recreate the dire and often haunting circumstances of true homelessness,”

said Johnson.   “The approximately 1,000 participants

of Sleepless America San Diego who choose to spend the night will enjoy live

music from local artists and musical groups, hear testimonies from people who

have been helped by partner organizations and engage in fireside chats that

focus on the personal aspects of homelessness. Our goal is to generate increased

awareness of and solutions for a truly tragic situation that affects far too

many people in our community.”

Participants will receive light snacks and beverages, and will be able

to purchase food on site.  First aid

supplies, medical staff, and private security guards will be on-site throughout

the event. 

“Ours is a message of hope,” said Johnson, “and as Sleepless

campaigns expand across America,

we pray that our voices join together to help bring powerful coalition and

solutions to the plight of homelessness.”

Sleepless America San Diego

Founded by the San Diego Rescue

Mission in 2007, Sleepless America San Diego encourages all members of the

community to join the Rescue Mission and its Sleepless Alliance partner

organizations to “sleep out” on one designated night per year to increase

recognition of homelessness, demonstrate unity, and become part of the chorus for

lasting solutions. For additional information on Sleepless America San Diego,

or to register for the event, please visit www.sleeplesssandiego.org.

About the San Diego Rescue Mission

Founded in 1955, The San Diego

Rescue Mission (SDRM) is a faith-based organization that offers safe-haven as

well as restorative care and rehabilitation services to the homeless, addicted,

abused, and poor in our community. 

Headquartered in Banker’s Hill, downtown San Diego,

San Diego Rescue Mission offers a wide range of onsite programs and services

through our Nueva Vida Haven Emergency Shelter, Partners for Hunger Relief,

Men’s Center, Women and Children’s Center, Transitional Housing, Recuperative Care Center,

and Outpatient Clinic.  San Diego Rescue

Mission also owns and operates Thrift Stores in North Park, National City, and

City Heights. For additional information, please visit www.sdrescue.org.