Page 5 - Jupiter West - May '24

Jupiter West, Page 5
SleepOut Raises $700,000-Plus So More Can Sleep In Homes

The Lord’s Place 17th Annual CEO of The Lord’s Place a sleeping bag on the
SleepOut Reemphasizes Diana Stanley echoed the living room floor and
same clear message that
others slept in a tent
Housing As A Human Right has been repeated for the in the backyard or on
last 17 years, “Supportive their porch. SleepOut
After 17 years, The Lord’s Place SleepOut evolved into housing is the key to ending is a symbolic effort to
a unique hybrid event uniting people across the country on homelessness. We pledge raise awareness of the
one shared night with a shared mission. On Friday, April 5 to continue advocating for estimated 3,000 men,
people from all walks of life dedicated the night differently, systemic reform, ensuring that women, and children Rebecca, Emma and Charles Hill
but all with a common goal – shining a light on homelessness housing is not a privilege, but without a home on any
and raising essential funds to bring an end to it. Including the a fundamental human right.” given night in Palm Beach County.
dollar-for-dollar match from the Honorable Ann Brown, more Various clients told Since 1979, The Lord’s Place has been finding solutions
than $700,000 was raised to support the agency’s programs their stories of how the and providing services to take more people off the streets
and services aimed to break the cycle of homelessness for agency empowered them to and into homes. For more information on The Lord’s Place
men, women and children in Palm Beach County. reimagine their lives beyond Cornie Thornburgh, Patsy or to make a donation to support the transformation of lives
Approximately 250 community members including The the streets, by equipping and Don Mitmire of the most vulnerable and neglected in Palm Beach County,
Lord’s Place staff, volunteers, clients, community leaders, them with the tools for visit: thelordsplace.org.
supporters and friends, enjoyed the live program at The change, including: street engagement, job training, clinical Top sponsors who made SleepOut possible include: The
Lord’s Place’ new headquarters, Fortin Family Campus, services, reentry support and housing. Honorable Ann Brown, Laraine and Michael Stevens, Searcy
at 2808 North Australian Ave. in West Palm Beach. 57-year-old Richard Phillips disclosed his family Denney Scarola Barnhart & Shipley, PA, Carol and Will
Others throughout the country viewed the program via history of addiction, alcoholism and incarceration. With Browne, Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, Cornelia and
livestream. Whether attending in person or tuning into 33 felony convictions and a total of 17 years behind bars, Richard Thornburgh, Sally and Bob Gilbane and OSCWebco.
the virtual program, all participants dedicated the night Phillips cycled between incarceration and homelessness
to ending homelessness. until he finally found long-term care and housing through
Recognized as “the great equalizer,” this signature annual The Lord’s Place.
event unites people from diverse backgrounds, economics, “I needed to unhomelessness myself, once and for all.
cultures and circumstances to stand in solidarity with the The pain of staying the same became greater than the pain
thousands of men, women, and children in Palm Beach County of changing. And all of a sudden, the people of The Lord’s
who sleep out every night – not by choice but by circumstance. Place were there for me. And yes, they saved my life,”
shared Phillips.
While living at the William H. Mann Place for men in
Boynton Beach, Phillips took advantage of all of the programs
and services offered. Today, he is eight years clean and sober,
works full-time at Publix, lives in The Lord’s Place graduate
housing, and gives back and helps others.
Phillips added, “My family is proud of me … my sisters have Staff of The Lord’s Place: Rupert Williams, Danzell Madison,
found strength in my journey. I’m the first person in my family Tasha Harris
to break the mold. And I’m never going back to that life.”
The reimagined program stayed true to The Lord’s
Place mission and commitment to their clients. While
attendees did not spend the night at the actual event, all were
Anthony Hoskins dancing with the Honorable Ann Brown encouraged to step outside their comfort zone by sleeping
during the concluding song of SleepOut out somewhere other than their bed. Some chose setting up

Attendees applauding the Honorable Ann Brown for
matching SleepOut donations for the eighth consecutive year

Palm Beach Atlantic basketball players who served as
event volunteers
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