12 things learned in 12 hours at

Covenant House Alaska

Sleep Out: Young Professionals EditionHannah J. Blankenship

March 2016

One The average age of a homeless person in Alaska is 9.

TwoHomelessness is spread all over Anchorage – not

confined to north Anchorage or Spenard.

ThreeMany youth are fleeing bad situations

at home, or are abandoned.

FourHuman/sex trafficking exists in Anchorage. Traffickers are

looking for the most vulnerable youth, who are often homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.

FiveGirls are often being bought and sold in public

locations such as gas stations and grocery stores.

SixAnchorage has also seen a rise in gang activity from

the Lower 48.

SevenCovenant House offers safety, stability and hope for homeless and at-risk youth. When they come to Covenant House, youth are asked what they want to do, and staff helps

them support that goal – whether it is to find a job or not use drugs the next day.

EightCovenant House’s main programs are its Emergency Shelter (addressing immediate needs such as a warm

meal, shower, clean clothes and a safe place to sleep), Street Outreach (building relationships with homeless or at-risk youth and encouraging them to use Covenant House services) and Transitional Living

(helping youth transition to independent living) programs.

NineCovenant House uses a Housing First model. It has many social and economic benefits for

the community. Details: http://bit.ly/22xpUum

TenCardboard is insulating but not nearly warm enough!

ElevenOur community is incredibly

generous!• Covenant House Alaska has a $6.5M operating budget; 20% sustained by

grants and 80% sustained by donations like yours – thank you!• Anchorage’s 2016 Young Professionals Sleep Out:

• Beat our group’s $65K goal!• Most successful YP Sleep Out for Anchorage (so far!)• Raised more than other Covenant House cities hosting a YP Sleep Out on the

same night!

TwelveThere are so many ways to help• You can donate to my page at http://bit.ly/hannahb2016sleepout for another six weeks!• When you file for your PFD, you can give to Covenant House through Pick.Click.Give• Sign up for an executive or young professional Sleep Out (Alaska Communications 2017

team, anyone?!)• Volunteer at Covenant House Alaska; contact volunteer@covenanthouseak.org or 907-

339-4261