Chicago Sleepout

friday night i had the privilege of taking part in something called the Chicago Sleepout. It was started in 2005 and its purpose is to raise awareness and funds for the problem regarding homelessness...specifically youth homelessness. It started on Friday at about 2pm and included many acitivites such as: petition signing, guest speakers, free dinner, dumpster diving for cardboard, collecting warm donations, and talking with the homelesss who came to the event. i missed the earlier stuff as i had classes on friday BUT a friend drew and i went down at around 7:00pm. i had the opportunity to meet some great homeless folk from the city. we had a prayer service in this huge, amazingly beautiful methodist church at around 9ish, and then, we were going to spend the night sleeping on the street with our homeless brothers and sisters.

UNfortunately, there was a problem with getting a permit for Daley Center where we would have slept, past 11pm. (some concert caused the city to pass a new ordinance). So we tried to set up next to the methodist church, but the propertyt next door said we were too close. funny how public property isn't always public. we had to keep packing up our stuff...what a great reality of a homeless person's life.

so here is what we did instead...we spent the night riding the el. the group i was in took the blue line which runs for about 2 hrs nonstop before having to get off and transfer back on. we rode it probably for 1.5 hrs straight at most....we did a lot of getting on and off. all night i probably slept about 30 min. the experience was both humbling and eye opening. the thing is...sometimes while i was riding the el, i was so cold and tired but couldn't sleep...and then, we'd get off and have to wait outside in the cold for the next train to come...and all i could do was sway back and forth. i mean, we could talk to friends and such, but eventually i kinda stopped talking. it seemed like it shouldn't be fun and it wasn't always comfortable...and i kept thinking, man, i just wanna go home...but then i put myself in the position of someone homeless and realized this could be their life...they don't have somewhere to go "home." this guy lenny who was with us was homeless for a month and did exactly what we were doing every night. he told us that after riding it for just one night again with us, he has no idea how he did it for a whole month. the most humbling part was sitting on the el next to a man who was drooling and smelled very strong. i told myself i couldn't move away from him because i was sposed to be experiencing his life and so i stayed. then this other man came and sat down practically on top of me...but actually next to me. and i was squashed. and the whole trip, the man with the "perfume" had his head down and it was rubbing up against my coat side...and i was so uncomfortable...but stayed.

overall it was an experience. i will do it again next year if possible. it was neat to see people come out and care for people. i have some new friends now...homeless and not and i will never forget the sleepout ya know. we ended at about 7am sat morning....i got home near 8am...slept for two hrs and then like a zombie went to work from 1:30-8:00.

and now for a story...even though this is SO long already. two new friends i made are Gail and Tommy. Gail has been homeless for about 3 years and Tommy I am not sure. they are a cute couple...those two. and they both were so positive and friendly and funny too. anyway, while i was walking and talking with them...i asked : "do u guys get ur eight affectionate touches a day? because they say u need to have at least 8 to fulfill our affection requirements." Gail joked, "i try to get six out of Tommy everyday!" then Tommy said, " Shannon. do u really believe that?" and i replied, "Yea. i mean, some days, i spend all day alone it seems, walking around doing whatever, and if i haven't had any hugs or affection, i start to feel lonely and like i wish i just had someone to walk with me or something." gail was like, "yea, it's nice to just have a friend to talk to." then i said in my funny positive shannon talk, "SO, if u guys need any hugs, i've got some!" later on, as we were setting up our sleeping bags before we found out we couldn't stay next to the church, Tommy came up to me and said, "shannon? where are u sleeping?" i replied, "i dunno, probably somewhere near u." then he said, (and i will never forget it and almost cried at his amazing heart)..."Shannon...maybe u can sleep near Gail so u won't have to be alone."

they left that night as we couldn't all have a sleepover together...and they wanted to try and find like an alley or something, but on our way out, they were walking down the street back to meet everyone, it was like an answer to prayer. i was afraid i wouldn't see them in the morning and we had said we would. They were both smiling as usual and remembered our names. and the best part....both Tommy and Gail gave ME a hug as we said our hellos and goodbyes. they are beautiful people and i look forward to the next time i get to see them. y do some people forget that we are ALL human...

here is a link to check out if u want more info: www.tothestreets.org