Thank You: 24 Hours on the Street a Success!

Thank you to all our supporters, pledges, and volunteers for making our 2nd Annual 24 Hours on the Street event a success!

Special Thanks
To Meaghan and James McDonough from West Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard for dropping off their yearly donation of supplies. They arrived with a van full of hygiene kits, clothes, food, sleeping bags, etc.

To our Worcester Talent Showcase Performers: Boys & Girls Club Hip/Hop Group, Talisman, Lea Deschenes, Salsa Encendida, Jackie Morrill, and Brad & Ron. Also, thank you to Isaac Boetang for MCing the Talent Showcase!

To all our volunteers who slept out all night in front of WUMC. We're glad you all had fun. Maybe we'll do without the early morning frisbee next year. :-)

To everyone that helped out on Saturday and attended our events.

The 24 Hours event is over but the reality of youth homelessness is not. Keep spreading the word. Let the community know that youth homelessness exists.

Becoming an Outreach Counselor

The first reaction I receive when I say I work with homeless youth is:

"That must be challenging."

Yes, outreach counseling is challenging, but it is also rewarding. We meet many wonderful youth each week. We educate them on the services within their community, provide them with immediate resources (e.g., food, clothes), and, most importantly, we provide them with someone who cares who they are and what they want out of life.

As an outreach counselor, you learn how to face your fears. And the funny thing is that all those fears don't seem so large in the scheme of things when you realize that "Your worst day will never be as bad as these kids best days" (Rick Koca).

How would you feel if you could save a life?

Find out by becoming a member of our outreach team. Our next Information Session is at the Worcester Downtown Common on Saturday, April 24th at 11:30AM.

Our Outreach Stats for February 2010

• 9 Regular Kids Assisted
• 40 New Kids Assisted
• 2 Kids Provided with Meals

Join the Fun: Participate in 24 Hours on the Street

Here's the schedule for 24 Hours on the Street. Bring your friends, family, and neighbors. And cross your fingers for great weather!

The 24 Hours on the Street event is intended to raise awareness about the reality of youth homelessness. StandUp For Kids - Worcester is hosting their second annual 24 Hours on the Street from April 23, 2010 to April 24, 2010.

Check out the list of activities happening below and join us for one or many of these activities. Spread the word to your friends, family, and coworkers.

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**Important** You don't have to participate in all 24 Hours. Just pick an event on the schedule that interests you (e.g., Worcester Talent Showcase, Scavenger Hunt!)
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Worcester Talent Showcase
Wesley United Methodist Church
114 Main Street
7:00PM-9:30PM
Local Musicians, Poets, and Dancers perform.$2 at the door or a pop-top can of pasta (i.e. Chef Boyardee)


Salsa Lesson
Wesley United Methodist Church
9:30PM-10:00PM
Get a beginner’s lesson on Salsa Dancing for free!


Candlelight Vigil
Wesley United Methodist Church
10:00PM-10:30PM
13 Kids die on the streets everyday. Join us for this Candlelight Vigil to remember these youth and spread awareness about youth homelessness.


Team Trivia
Wesley United Methodist Church
11:00PM-12:00AM
Team up for a trivia challenge!


Sleep Out/Games
Wesley United Methodist Church
12:00AM-9:00AM
Some youth have no other option but to sleep on the street, whether under a bridge, in an alley, or on a bench. Join us with your sleeping bags and tents for a sleep out to raise awareness about youth homelessness. Breakfast will be served at 8:00 a.m.


Turn Purple Campaign
Worcester Common
9:00AM-11:00AM
Get purpled and spread awareness about the number one reason for homelessness – child abuse.


Picnic/Information Session
Worcester Common
11:30AM-12:30PM (Lunch at noon)
Learn more about our national organization, local program, and youth homelessness statistics. Find out how you can get involved in our mission to help at risk and homeless youth.


Come Draw with Us
Worcester Common
12:45PM-1:45PM
Draw statistics and art in front of city hall.
Youth 21 and Under: Get involved in our chalk art competition. A winner will be announced at 5:45 p.m.!


"A Mile in Their Shoes" Scavenger Hunt
Starts at Worcester Common
2:00PM-4:00PM
Teams of four go in search of services and items a homeless youth may need.


Homeless Sit-in
Worcester Common
4:30PM-5:30PM
Awareness event with signs containing facts about homelessness for passersby.


Chart Art Competition Winner
Worcester Common
5:30PM-5:45PM
Volunteers judge the chalk art created by youth 21 and under.
The winner will be announced at 5:45 p.m.!


Closing Ceremony
Worcester Common
6:00PM-7:00PM
Join us for our closing ceremony. Enjoy a slice of cake on us!


Feel free to contact us with any questions or to volunteer at the event: worcester@standupforkids.org

24 Hours on the Street is 4 Weeks Away!

And in just a couple days, we'll be posting the schedule.

Events include:

• Worcester Talent Showcase (Musicians, Poets, and Dancers)
• Sleep out (Bring your sleeping bag!)
• Scavenger Hunt (Teams will go in search of local services that serve at risk youth)

Interested in volunteering at 24 Hours on the Street? Contact us at worcester@standupforkids.org.