Why We Sleep Out

If you’ve ever wondered why we do Sleep Out Saturday for the Homeless, take a look at this:

The Federal Poverty Level is an annual income of less than $23,050 for a family of four.  DuPage County Census estimates for 2011 show about 70,000 people in DuPage with incomes in this category, a one-year increase of 10,000 people.

The Federal Low-Income Level is an annual income of less than $46,100 annually for a family of four.

DuPage County Census estimates for 2011 show 178,000 people in DuPage with incomes in this category, a one-year increase of almost 18,000.

In one year, DuPage County’s population in poverty rose by 14%, and its low-income population rose by 10%.

What makes this even more shocking is that the self-sufficiency wage in DuPage County is $28/hour, or over $58,000 per year. 

Here at Bridge, the average hourly wage of a full-time employed Bridge client is $12.50/hour, or $26,000 per year.

So 20% of DuPage County – and ALL Bridge client families – are earning far below what it takes to survive in our community.

We sleep out to:
-provide our client families safe homes
-get our moms the education they need to further their careers
-give our kids counseling and tutoring when they need it
-help our clients find better paying jobs
-move our client families from homelessness to financial stability, permanent housing and self-sufficiency

What can you do?  The possibilities are endless.  Sleep Out.  Donate.  Share the story. 

Just IMAGINE the difference you can make in the life of a homeless family. 

www.SleepOutSaturday.org
www.Facebook.com/SleepOutForBridge

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