ADER KIT - Covenant House Toronto€¦ · 6 ART 2: OUR EVENT • Start your committee working on promotions and recruitment though word of mouth, posters to hang up around the building,

LEADER KIT

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PART 1: WHY SLEEP OUT? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Why Sleep Out . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Why you should get your students involved . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Kids can make a tangible difference now! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

About Covenant House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

PART 2: PLANNING YOUR EVENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

3-4 months before your Sleep Out event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

1-2 months before your Sleep Out event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

1-2 weeks before your Sleep Out event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Day of your Sleep Out event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Media Guide (how to get media attention) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

PART 3: NIGHT OF SLEEP OUT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Sample Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Schedule Template . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

PART 4: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Sleep Out Release and Indemnity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Frequent Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Administrative Support Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Team Welcome Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Team Reminder Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

TABLE OF CONTENTS

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TeTeamam RRememinndeder MeMessssagagee.. .. . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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What is Sleep Out?Sleep Out for Street Kids invites youth from Grades 6 to 12 to experience fi rsthand some of the challenges

of being homeless. Your participants will pledge to spend a night in an approved area at your school,

church or community centre with only the bedding that will fi t in a normal school backpack. Participants

will ask for donations from friends and family to recognize their commitment. All proceeds go to Covenant

House Toronto, Canada’s largest homeless youth agency. Sleep Out for Street Kids provides a valuable

learning experience and an opportunity for young people to take action on an issue that impacts their

peers and communities.

Why Sleep Out?There are at least 40,000 homeless kids in Canada over the course of a year and in Toronto, there are as

many as 2,000 youth on a given night. For them, every day is a fi ght for survival. They worry about whether

they’ll fi nd their next meal and a safe, warm place to sleep. They worry about getting beat up or all their

stuff getting stolen. They worry about pimps, gangs and drug dealers fi nding them. Most of all, they worry

that things might never get better. Street kids are up to 40 times more likely to die than their peers.

The street is no place for youth. Let’s get together to stop youth homelessness! It’s time to speak out. It’s

time to Sleep Out.

PART 1: WHY SLEEP OUT?

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Why you should get your youth involvedGetting youth involved in Sleep Out fosters empathy, teamwork and leadership. It gives them the chance to

learn about the diffi culties faced by their homeless peers and the dangers of running to the street. And, it

empowers young people to be catalysts for positive change.

Youth homelessness is a cause that will hit close to home for your kids. Homeless youth are just like them,

trying to navigate the challenges of adolescence, but without a loving family or fi xed address. Ontario schools

and boards are adding a social justice component to the classroom experience, in addition to civics and

mandatory volunteer hours. Sleep Out would be a great learning experience within this framework, and we

offer students a credit of 10 volunteer hours for their participation.

Kids can make a tangible difference now!• Covenant House has served more than 90,000 young people over the past 33 years.

• Students can claim 10 volunteer hours for their participation. Kids can earn great prizes for their

fundraising efforts, like movie passes, cool electronics and fashion gear.

About Covenant HouseAs Canada’s largest homeless youth agency, Covenant House Toronto changes lives by providing the widest

range of services and support under one roof. More than a place to stay, we serve almost 1,000 youth

through our 24/7 crisis shelter and transitional housing on-site and in the community and about 2,000

with our comprehensive services, including education, counselling, health care, employment assistance, job

training and aftercare, annually. To do all this, we rely on donors for about 80 percent of our $22.8-million

annual operating budget.

PART 1: WHY SLEEP OUT?

through our 24/7 crisis shelter and transitional housing on-site

with our comprehensive services, including education, counsel

training and aftercare, annually. To do all this, we rely on dono

annual operating budget.

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• Set a realistic event date and fundraising goal.

• Register your team online.

• Print out copies of the Participant Guide from our school fundraising page.

• Begin your promotion and fundraising plan. Encourage your participants to:

PART 2: PLANNING YOUR EVENT

• Get approval from your administration to hold a Sleep Out.

• Check on requirements such as insurance, school waivers, availability of the space, (e.g., gymnasium)

and the janitors’ willingness/availability to participate.

• Recruit a Sleep Out Committee of young people to act as leaders of specifi c areas, (recruitment,

donations, promotion, volunteers, set-up and activities).

• Start recruiting event day volunteers (parents and/or teachers).

• Start securing donations of drinks and food from local businesses.

• Set aside class time to discuss Sleep Out for Street Kids. (NOTE: If there is more than one class

participating, host a kick-off in a larger space for all students.)

3 months before your Sleep Out event:


Sleep Out is a fun, hands-on event that can be structured any way you like. But, if you need some help,

we’ve put together a checklist to guide you through your Sleep Out.

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• Set a realistic goal.

• Organize a team event for your group to kick off fundraising, like a bake sale.

• Contact local businesses to match donations that you raise.

• Ask Mom & Dad to ask their friends.

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http://www.covenanthousetoronto.ca/homeless-youth/school-fundraising

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• Start your committee working on promotions and recruitment though word of mouth, posters to hang

up around the building, announcements and sign-up sheets.

• Committee members should also make regular check-ins to make sure that the fundraising goal is

met! Perhaps make a fundraising thermometer, which gets fi lled in as more money is raised.

• Create a Facebook event page.

• Read the Activity Kit and select which activities you’d like to do at the event.

• Set a deadline date to have students get parents to sign the waiver and submit it,

(if under 18 years of age).

• Secure an offi cial photographer to capture your event.

• Book any AV equipment you may need to watch the suggested movies.

• Keep encouraging your participants to fundraise.

• Have your progress posted in a visible spot.

• Update your Facebook event page with fundraising progress and encourage participants to state why

they are Sleeping Out.


1 month before your Sleep Out event:

they are Sleeping Out.

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• KEEP PROMOTING!

• Ask participants to make a fi nal push to collect donations.

• Update Facebook site.

2 weeks before your Sleep Out event

1 week before your Sleep Out event

Day of your Sleep Out Event

• Meet with your facilitation team and assign roles for the activites your planning.

• Collect all the supplies you’ll need for activities.

• Create a schedule for the evening (see sample schedule template).

• Supply your offi cial photographer with a “shot list” of events/people you want captured.

• Stick to your scheduled plan of activities.

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Media GuideGetting media attention is a fun way to help your fundraising and get noticed for your efforts! Remember

that the media will want to know why they should cover your event. Focus on how you are giving back to

the local community by raising money to benefi t at-risk youth. Try to get some media buzz by following the

checklist.

2 MONTHS BEFORE YOUR SLEEP OUT EVENTMake a list of media contacts. Local newspapers, magazines, websites and television stations will be more

likely to cover your event than large media outlets.

1 MONTH BEFORE YOUR SLEEP OUT EVENTUsing the media release template in the Additional Resources section, contact everyone on your list. Email

or fax your media release. Make sure to include all the event details, including date, time, location, contact

information, description of your event, who is participating and how to donate to it.

3 DAYS BEFORE YOUR SLEEP OUT EVENTFollow up with your contacts and confi rm they received your media release. Tell them why your group is

doing the Sleep Out event and why this is relevant to their readers/viewers.

1 WEEK AFTER YOUR SLEEP OUT EVENTRemember to say thank you to any media who covered your event. That includes media that gave you a

mention, as well as anyone who showed up.

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Sample SchedulesThe purpose of these schedules is to give you an idea of how your event can run. Both schedules utilize all the activities that we suggest in the “Activity Package”, and build 10 minutes into the time to allow your group(s) to move around, if necessary.

Schedule A exemplifi es the “large group” format, which keeps all your participants together for the whole evening.

Schedule B shows you how to use the “small group” format and rotate smaller groups through each activity.

You can use these schedules to assign roles to your volunteers and supervisors.

Remember, you can organize this event any way you want – whatever works best for you and your group!

PART 3: NIGHT OF SLEEP OUT

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SCHEDULE A – LARGE GROUP FORMAT

TIME ACTIVITY LOCATION FACILITATORS/SUPERVISORS

3:00PM Registration

3:30PM Kick-Off Ceremony

3:50PM “Roleplay!”

4:30PM “Street Survivor”

5:10PM “Shelter Challenge”

5:50PM “Street Kids Got Talent”

7:00PM DINNER

8:00PM Round-Table Discussion

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SCHEDULE A – LARGE GROUP FORMAT


8:30PM “Words of Encouragement”

9:00PM SNACK BREAK

9:10PM Movie

11:00PM Prepare for lights out

11:15PM(or when movie ends)

LIGHTS OUT

6:45PM Wake-up Call

7:00AM Breakfast/Pack-up

7:15AM Final Refl ections

7:30AM Dismissed

121111122222

SCHEDULE B – SMALL GROUP FORMATThis format assumes you can split your participants into four or more groups


3:00PM Registration

3:30PM Kick-off Ceremony

3:50PM – 4:20PM

“Roleplay!” GROUP A

“Street Survivor” GROUP B

“Shelter Challenge” GROUP C

“Street Kids Got Talent” GROUP D

4:30PM – 5:00PM

“Roleplay!” GROUP D

“Street Survivor” GROUP A

“Shelter Challenge” GROUP B

“Street Kids Got Talent” GROUP C

5:10PM – 5:40PM

“Roleplay!” GROUP C

“Street Survivor” GROUP D

“Shelter Challenge” GROUP A

“Street Kids Got Talent” GROUP B

5:50PM – 6:20PM

“Roleplay!” GROUP B

“Street Survivor” GROUP C

“Shelter Challenge” GROUP D

“Street Kids Got Talent” GROUP A

6:30PM – 7:30PM

Street Kids Got Talent Performances

7:35PM DINNER

131111111333333

SCHEDULE B – SMALL GROUP FORMATThis format assumes you can split your participants into four or more groups


8:10PM “Words of Encouragement”

8:30PM SNACK BREAK

9:00PM Movie

9:10PM Prepare for lights out

11:00PM LIGHTS OUT

11:15PM(or when movie ends)

Wake-up Call

6:45PM Breakfast/Pack-up

7:00AM Final Refl ections

7:15AM Dismissed

14111444

Schedule TemplateLarge Group Format


1511115555

Schedule TemplateLarge Group Format


161111666

Schedule TemplateSmall Group Format


1711117777

Schedule TemplateSmall Group Format


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Sleep Out Release and Indemnity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Frequently Asked Questions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Administrative Support Letter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Team Welcome Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Team Reminder Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

PART 4: ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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20 Gerrard Street East Toronto, ON M5B 2P3 Tel: (416) 598-4898 Fax: (416) 204-7030

covenanthouse.ca

57193716_1|TorLitigation Charitable Registration Number 10699 0195 RR0001

EVENT RELEASE AND INDEMNITY FOR SLEEP OUT FOR STREET KIDS Student Waiver and Release

By signing this form for Covenant House Toronto’s SLEEP OUT FOR STREET KIDS, I/WE for myself/ourselves and I/WE (by my parents, guardians and/or the legal representative), my/our heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns (the “Releasors”) HEREBY RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE Covenant House Toronto, The City of Toronto, the participating school and school board, any teachers and volunteers of the school and school board, , any additional sponsors who may not be named herein, and all other associations, sanctioning bodies and sponsoring companies, and elected and appointed officials, successors and assigns (the “Organizers and Sponsors”), OF AND FROM ALL claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses, actions and causes of action, whether in law or equity, in respect of death, injury, loss or damage to my/our person or property, HOWSOEVER CAUSED, arising or to arise by reason of my/our participation in the said event or any activities associated therewith, whether as spectator, participant, volunteer, or otherwise, whether prior to, during or subsequent to the event, AND NOTWITHSTANDING that same may have been contributed to or occasioned by the negligence of the Organizers and Sponsors. THE RELEASORS FURTHER HEREBY UNDERTAKE TO HOLD AND SAVE HARMLESS AND AGREE TO INDEMNIFY all of the Organizers and Sponsors from and against any blame and liability for any injury, misadventure, harm, loss, inconvenience, or damage hereby suffered or sustained, or in any way connected with my/our participation in the BY SUBMITTING THIS ENTRY, THE RELEASORS ACKNOWLEDGE HAVING READ, UNDERSTOOD, AND AGREED TO THE ABOVE RELEASE and INDEMNITY. THE RELEASORS WARRANT that we are physically fit to participate in this event.

WE THE RELEASORS have read and understood this document and are aware that we are waiving certain legal rights which are our children’s (under the age of 18 years old) rights and/or our rights that we or our respective heirs, next of kin, executors, administrators and assigns may have against the Organizers and Sponsors.

Print names of participating minors (under the age of 18) below:

Child: Date of Birth:




I am the parent/guardian/legal representative of the above minors. I am a Releasor. I agree to the terms of this Release.

Signature: Date:

Print Name:

Note: Please read all sections of this document carefully. All references to the “Release” refer to this document. Each parent, guardian, trustee, committee and/or other legal representative of the child (children) must sign this Release.

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Who benefi ts from Sleep Out for Street Kids?Homeless youth at Covenant House benefi t via the funds that are raised by participants that are put towards vital and life-changing programs. Those who sleep out benefi t by developing important skills that they can carry forward out of the classroom, like empathy, initiative and leadership.

When do we Sleep Out?Work with your school or administration “decision makers” to choose a date and time that works for you. Perhaps you will be able to tie it into a specifi c curriculum piece, or maybe you’d like to link it to the holiday charity efforts your school engages in. Catholic schools celebrating Social Justice Week will fi nd Sleep Out to be an excellent addition to the social justice theme. October 10 is World Homelessness Day, so a Sleep Out would be a great connection to an international day of advocacy.

Do we have to sleep outside?No. Although if the weather is good and you have an appropriate space – like a school parking lot or fi eld – it will certainly enhance the overall experience. If, however, the weather is poor or you feel holding it indoors will be easier to contain, that’s great, too! The point is to leave the comforts of your home and get a taste of what homeless kids experience. It’s the action that makes it impactful, not the space.

Do we have to stay overnight?No. Although sleeping out of your home and bed overnight makes a strong statement, so does a simple gathering that is focused on raising awareness for the plight of homeless youth in Toronto. You can shape your event anyway you want – there are many ways to Speak Out for homeless youth!

What about safety priorities?Adult supervision will certainly be required for this event and the event should be conducted in a way that makes participant safety a key priority of the evening. So far, we have never heard of any safety incidences regarding Sleep Out events. Many schools successfully organize class trips where overnights are involved, so there is usually a prec-edent for a sleepover in schools. Work closely with your administration and your team of adult supervisors to make sure safety is guaranteed.

Do we need insurance for this event?Schools and churches have existing insurance policies for activities that take place on school or church policy, and these will be suffi cient to cover your Sleep Out at no additional cost. Just to be sure, consult your administration on your expected insurance needs.

What is Covenant House policy on tax receipts?Covenant House will issue tax receipts for all donations over $10 as long as we’re provided with the name and ad-dress of the donor or business. We do not issue tax receipts to schools or churches, in keeping with the CRA guide-lines for charitable organizations.

Frequently Asked Questions

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If you need help getting your school administration on board, consider using the following letter. If you think the letter would have more impact coming straight from you rather than our Covenant House representative, feel free to copy and paste the wording into a letter of your own!

Dear [NAME],

I am writing to request your support for the Sleep Out for Street Kids that your faculty and students have expressed interest in hosting at your school.

Sleep Out for Street Kids invites students from Grades 6 to 12 to experience fi rsthand some of the challenges of being homeless. Your student team will pledge to spend an overnight in an approved area at your school with only the bedding that will fi t in a normal school backpack.

Leading up to the event, they will be asking their friends, family and community to fi nancially sponsor their efforts. All donations go directly to Covenant House Toronto, Canada’s largest homeless youth agency.

Getting your students involved in Sleep Out for Street Kids fosters empathy, teamwork and leadership. It gives students the chance to learn about the diffi culties faced by their homeless peers and the dangers of running to the street. It empowers students to be catalysts for positive change.

Please consider supporting the Sleep Out team by granting permission to use school grounds for the event, as well as any necessary A/V equipment.

If you have any questions about Sleep Out for Street Kids or Covenant House Toronto, please do not hesitate to contact me at 416-204-7038 or [email protected]

Best Regards,

Robin DrysdaleEvent CoordinatorCovenant House Toronto

Administrative Support Letter

Robin DrysdaleEvent Coordinatott rCovenant House Toronto

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You can use this message as an email or handout to your group when you’ve registered your Sleep Out. Feel free to copy and paste and insert the proper names and date. Or you can write your own – whatever works best for you!

Hello Team!

Our group is registered to Sleep Out for Street Kids on [DATE OF EVENT]!

To get started with your fundraising, print out copies of the Sponsor Letter to share with your friends and family. Also print out a copy of the Donation Form so you can keep track of all your donations.

As you collect cash and cheques, keep them all in an envelope with the Donation form. On the day of the Sleep Out, count up your total cash and cheques, write the total on the outside of the envelope with your name and seal the envelope with the Donation Form and all the donations inside it, then turn it in to me.

The effort and work we put into our Sleep Out is going to directly impact the kids at Covenant House. This is a great way to make a real change in the life of Toronto’s homeless youth. It’s time to Speak Out. It’s time to Sleep Out.

Good luck with the fundraising,

[LEADER NAME]

Team Welcome Message

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A few weeks before your Sleep Out, you may want to hand your participants a physical reminder of what they need to do to get ready. Feel free to copy and paste this sample letter and fi ll in the appropriate information, or create your own!

Hello Team!

We’re getting closer to our Sleep Out for Street Kids on [DATE OF EVENT]! Here’s a reminder of you what you need to do before the Sleep Out, and what to bring with you on the big night.

To do:

• Keep fundraising! We’re getting close to our goal of [GOAL] but we’re not quite there yet! Remember that everything you raise is going to help homeless kids at Covenant House – a very worthy cause!

• Gather all your donations and donation form in an envelope that you can seal and give to me on the night of the Sleep Out (don’t worry about the online donations).

• Hand in your signed the Consent Form.

On the day of the Sleep Out, bring the following things with you:• Sleeping Bag• Backpack with any overnight supplies you can fi t inside (NO FOOD)• Signed Consent Form• Envelope with cash/cheques and Offl ine Donation form. Before you seal the envelope, count up your

total, write it on the outside of the envelope with your name, then seal it and bring it with you to the Sleep Out.

Thanks for speaking out and sleeping out for homeless kids!

[LEADER NAME]

Team Reminder Message

Documents

ADER KIT - Covenant House Toronto€¦ · 6 ART 2: OUR EVENT • Start your committee working on promotions and recruitment though word of mouth, posters to hang up around the building,