Take a Stand for a better, 'blessed' New York


Care for the Homeless is pleased to support our partners in the Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing, Habitat for Humanity and United to End Homelessness, who are sponsoring their annual “Blessed Night Out” program. It’s a program that offers something for anyone concerned about homelessness and the lack of affordable housing in New York City, and invites us all to “take a stand to build the Blessed City together.” 

In 1988, 60 people experiencing homeless encamped in City Hall Park for 200 days calling attention to homelessness in New York City and the need for affordable housing. Those 60 pioneer advocates accomplished what the set out to do: focusing attention and pushing for action. But the need today, with 55,000 people – including about 22,000 children – sleeping daily in city homeless shelters, is even greater than 25 years ago.

The May 30th program includes an Interfaith Gathering for Housing Justice from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Chapel, 209 Broadway, between Vesey and Fulton, followed by a Candlelight Procession from the church to City Hall, where the procession participants will encircle City Hall Park. At 9 p.m. those who are participating will begin an overnight vigil at City Hall Park, sleeping out in the elements as thousands of homeless New Yorkers do every evening. The program ends the next morning, Friday May 31st, with a press conference and policy discussion for faith leaders, partner organizations (like Care for the Homeless), advocates and supporters, people experiencing homelessness and formerly homeless people, and policymakers and public officials.
You can learn more about the events and the history of the program at www.blessednightout.org or the Interfaith Assembly website at www.iahh.org. Please join us and a host of caring advocates and leaders at A blessed Night Out in our fight to ameliorate, prevent and end homelessness and build a better New York City. 

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