Why Atlanta women will sleep outside on International Women's Day

Covenant House Georgia serves homeless and trafficked youth in northwest Atlanta.

Covenant House Georgia serves homeless and trafficked youth in northwest Atlanta.

Covenant House Georgia is hosting an “all-female sleep out” event for International Women's Day next month to raise funds for Atlanta's homeless and trafficked women.

Before the event, volunteers will try to meet a $50,000 fundraising goal. The money will go towards beds in the nonprofit’s crisis shelter and services for young women fleeing sex trafficking and homelessness, according to a press release.

During the March 8 event, supporters will gather with Atlanta youth at Covenant House at 1559 Johnson Road NW. Volunteers will participate in activities before sleeping outside, armed with only a cardboard box and sleeping bag, in order to "to send a clear message to homeless youth that they are not alone," the release said.

The youth will sleep indoors.

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In order to reach the fundraising goal, participants will try to raise $1,500 each through personalized online fundraising pages. Guests must register beforehand and be active fundraisers to attend.

Thirty-one participants had raised more than $7,700 as of Friday afternoon.

Participants can bring their own sleeping bags, but some will be supplied if needed.

To register, sign up online, contact Leigh Hall at vlhall@covenanthouse.org or call 470-231-4126.

The schedule of events is as follows:

7-8 p.m.: reception and overview of Covenant House

8-9:30 p.m.: tours and roundtable discussions with youth

9:30-11 p.m.: overview of services and services projects

11 p.m.-5:30 a.m.: sleep out

5:30-6:30 a.m.: breakfast and reflection

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