April 30, 2009
'Sleep Out' Event Shows Support for Homeless
By Juan Carlos Rodriguez
Journal Staff Writer
A homeless advocacy group is asking area residents to sleep outside to show solidarity with those who have no roof over their heads.
The second annual Duke City Sleep Out is sponsored by the Metropolitan Homelessness Project, which operates a 74-bed men's emergency shelter, veterans' transitional housing and around-the-clock respite care. It also offers free phone numbers and voice mail.
The Sleep Out is open to the public.
The organization started in 2004 to end homelessness, spokeswoman Amanda Clearwater said.
Clearwater said the phone numbers are distributed to people at other homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters, as well as to foster care youths and low-income people who can give the number to family, friends, potential employers or anyone else.
Leonard Benavidez who is staying at the project's shelter, the Albuquerque Opportunity Center, said the phone number has been invaluable for keeping in touch with government workers and potential employers.
"It's really a blessing. There would be no way for me to get these messages about important appointments or anything if I didn't have the number," he said.
Clearwater said the center has seen an increase in the number of men looking for beds. "Right now, we have a two-week waiting list. We have to turn away many men every night," she said.
Those who want to participate should bring a tent and sleeping bag to Menaul School in Albuquerque or the Rio Rancho High football field.