Students from Polytechnic School Middle School in Pasadena are participating in a ‘Camp Out to Stamp Out Homelessness’ on April 4-5th. They will be raising awareness about—and much-needed funds to combat—homelessness in Southern California.

The teens will gather at dusk—with sleeping bags and PJs—for a sleepover. But at this sleepover, they won’t be whispering about crushes. Instead, the teens will discuss the issue of homelessness, and try to imagine what it would feel like to have nowhere to go when the sun goes down.

As part of the inaugural event, Union Station Homeless Services’ Camp Out to Stamp Out Homelessness, middle school students from Polytechnic School in Pasadena are gathering April 4, 2014 at their school campus to camp out for a good cause. The Camp Out, which will go through Saturday April 5th, will raise awareness about the issues faced by those who are homeless, and inspire the next generation to make a difference.

Students also plan to raise funds to help fight homelessness in the community. They are being encouraged to ask friends and family for pledges, and all money collected will be donated to Union Station Homeless Services.

During the event, students will hear from a formerly homeless client of Union Station Homeless Services and participate in a number of activities meant to shed light on the issue.

Event sponsors include Whole Foods and Dog Haus. Local community members and businesses are encouraged to help underwrite the event by becoming sponsors as well. More information can be found at http://unionstationhs.org/event/campout/.

Union Station Homeless Services is the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. Our mission is help men, women and children rebuild their lives and end homelessness. Union Station provides comprehensive services to help homeless individuals achieve self-sufficiency, including intake and assessm¬¬¬¬-ent, emergency shelter, case management, career counseling, transitional housing, medical and mental health services, women’s and family services, and housing resources.