Homeless sleep-in takes over steps of City-County Building

About 115 colorful sleeping bags decorated the portico area outside of the first-floor lobby of… About 115 colorful sleeping bags decorated the portico area outside of the first-floor lobby of the Pittsburgh City-County building Friday night into Saturday morning.

Shoes, coffee cups and bookbags lined the floor, as messy hair and sleepy-looking faces peaked out from the top of the sleeping bags.

Most of these people traded in their warm beds for the cold pavement for the night to participate in the Sleep-In for the Homeless, a public awareness fundraising event.

Now in its second year, the fundraiser benefits more than 1,500 local homeless children, adults and families who seek assistance with the Oakland-based Community Human Services, which offers the homeless programs and housing services. The sleep-in, an overnight event running from 6:30 p.m. Friday to 6:30 a.m. Saturday, featured speakers, songwriters, local politicians and advocates for homelessness prevention.

“A lot of people forget about the homeless,” Alex Wood, a member of the nonprofit Public Allies and participant of the event, said. “When people see this, hopefully they will act and begin to help out.”

More than 100 people paid a $25 fee to participate in the sleep-in.

“Students raised the money or had it donated,” said Kelly Willard, wife of Randon Willard, the coordinator of Robert Morris University’s Community and Volunteer Services group. “It was great. There were case simulations, speakers and an interactive quiz. I would do this again.”

The event was sponsored by several banks, universities and restaurants, including PNC Bank, Carlow University, RMU and Eat’n Park . However Pitt was the largest financial backer for the event, donating $6,000 to the cause.

“Pitt was our lead sponsor this year, and we are so grateful,” said Diane McMahon, the development director for Community Human Services. “Last year we made $20,000, and I know we did better this year.”

At about 9:30 p.m. Friday night, Community Human Services awarded Renny Clark, Pitt’s vice chancellor for community initiatives and chief of staff, for his dedication, commitment and leadership in advancing the Sleep-In for the Homeless program.

“I just think it’s important for the community to understand that there is a need out there,” Clark said. “Pitt sponsored the event because it is focused on community issues everyone needs to be aware of, and CHS is one of the support agencies located in Oakland.”

Pitt is also partnered with local philanthropic agencies, like the southwestern chapter of the American Red Cross, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, Inc., Life’s Work of Western Pennsylvania and the Multiple Sclerosis Service Society, to sponsor a United Way Campaign. Last year Pitt raised $561,904 for the campaign.

McMahon said that the funds raised from the Sleep-In would go toward hiring nurses to give free health care to homeless shelters and support agencies like Jubilee Soup Kitchen, the Wood Street Commons community center and the Salvation Army Family Crisis center.

“People who look at how I live would consider it unimaginable,” said Joe, one of the homeless gentlemen who participated in the Sleep-In, but didn’t feel comfortable giving his last name. “I don’t have anything, but I have myself. I have pride and humility. I think this event was for good people to learn about something very real.”