Under a clear sky or in rain, sleet or snow, three local agencies are challenging Central Iowans to sleep outside on the field of Iowa State University’s Jack Trice Stadium to raise much-needed funds and awareness to end youth homelessness. Reggie’s Sleepout – Ames will be held on Saturday, March 24, and will benefit YSS, Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support (ACCESS) and the Emergency Residence Project (ERP). Presenting sponsors for the unique event are McFarland Clinic and Iowa State University. Registration is now open at www.reggiessleepout.org.

Using tents, sleeping bags and cardboard box structures ranging in design from simple to sophisticated, more than 1,000 campers are expected to sleep out on the field during Reggie’s Sleepout – Ames. The goal is to raise more than $100,000 through peer-to-peer fundraising and sponsorships. All of the proceeds go to helping end youth experiencing homelessness in Central Iowa.

“Every year, more than 300 children and youth in Story County and surrounding areas are homeless, sleeping in temporary housing, shelters and even vehicles. These are the most vulnerable members of our community, and organizations like YSS, ACCESS and ERP are essential in providing assistance,” said Andrew Allen, Chief Executive Officer of YSS. “There is more that can be done to ensure every child has a safe and secure home. Reggie’s Sleepout is a wonderful opportunity for our community to get involved.”

While nothing can truly replicate what it is like to be homeless, Reggie’s Sleepout does provide an experience that helps participants understand the concern.

Reggie’s Sleepout was created in 2001 to honor Reggie Kelsey, young central Iowa man who aged out of the foster care system and quickly passed away as a result of homelessness. Since the event was established, more than $1.7 million has been raised through 10,000 participating campers.

About YSS

YSS provides hope and opportunity to more than 7,000 children, youth and families annually through a comprehensive offering of prevention, treatment and transition programs. As a leading, state-wide youth- serving agency, YSS gives children and youth a place to find their voice, heal with compassion, make healthy choices, feel safe and secure, learn life skills, grow their confidence and ultimately, stand strong.

YSS has spent more than 40 years putting kids first, offering a wide range programs from birth to adulthood, including school-based prevention programs, outpatient counseling and therapy, and transitional services for at-risk and homeless youth. For more information, visit www.yss.org.

About Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support (ACCESS)

The mission of the Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support (ACCESS) is to address the roots and impact of domestic and sexual violence through services that enhance safety, empower survivors and promote understanding and social justice within our community.

ACCESS provides a host of services geared toward enhancing safety and supporting the healing of victims of all ages in Central Iowa. Services include crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy in systems such as courts or medical services, and community education. ACCESS meets the need of homelessness or unstably housed youth and adults through a scattered site emergency housing program, long-term transitional housing, financial assistance for housing and basic needs and long-term care coordination. For more information, visit www.assaultcareercenter.org.

About The Emergency Residence Project (ERP)

The Emergency Residence Project (ERP) is an organization engaged in offering shelter and assistance to the homeless and to those facing homelessness, providing short-term emergency shelter to people experiencing homelessness; transitional living to families experiencing homelessness; and emergency rental and utility assistance so people can stay in their homes.

It is the goal of ERP to involve the community in the provision of services, including providing meals to shelter guests. For more information, visit www.amesshelter.org.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Conference Planning and Management organizes more than 150 conferences and special events each year at Iowa State University, in Ames and at various offsite locations. Their conference and event management professionals facilitate state, regional and international events for Iowa State University and outside groups who bring conferences and events to the university.

Conference Planning and Management and the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau collaborate extensively to recruit and provide services for groups who host their events in the Ames area. For additional information on how your group can host an event in the Ames area, please call 515.294.1775 or visit www.cpm.iastate.edu.

For more information, contact:

Julie Kieffer
Manager
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Conference Planning and Management 515.956.3201 (direct)
515.294.1775 (main)
[email protected]

Crystal Davis
Communications Manager
Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau 515.956.4602 (direct)
515.232.4032 (main) [email protected]