Sleep Out: Stage & Screen 2025 Kicks Off Sleep Out Season  

On the night of Aug. 10, something extraordinary unfolded in New York City. Underneath a blanket of stars, Covenant House welcomed a crowd of Broadway stars, entertainment industry heavyweights, creative minds, and compassionate hearts for our Sleep Out: Stage & Screen event. 

And it was a showstopper. 

From the first notes of the walk-on music for our CEO Bill Bedrossian, who opened the program, to the final harmonies of “Lean on Me,” the night pulsed with purpose. It wasn’t only a night of solidarity, it was a masterclass in what happens when art meets advocacy, and community refuses to look away. 

A Movement Fueled by Stars and the Youth Who Light the Way 

Yes, we had stars in the room. Audra McDonald, the six-time Tony Award winner and national treasure, joined us. Kevin Ryan, Broadway producer and beloved former Covenant House CEO, showed up with his signature heart-on-his-sleeve energy.   

But the real spotlight? That belonged to the youth of Covenant House New York. 

Our CHNY Youth Ambassadors and some former residents, too, shared their stories and commanded the stage. Through powerful poems, original songs, dramatic skits, and honest testimony, they cracked open the room. They made us laugh. They made us pause. And they reminded us that while youth experiencing homelessness are often spoken about, they should always be centered, listened to, and never underestimated. 

One attendee put it best: “That was better than anything I’ve seen Off-Broadway this year.” 

A Night of Action, Not Just Awareness 

From heartfelt speeches by Bill Bedrossian and Covenant House New York CEO Dr. Shakeema North-Albert, to vulnerable breakout and discussion groups, attendees came to learn, connect, and take action. 

Participants were invited to examine the roots of youth homelessness, confront biases, and reflect on what solidarity looks like when it costs you comfort ... and sleep. 

And in the middle of it all, Marcelle, a Covenant House alum, stole the show with a three-minute monologue so raw, honest, and unshakably powerful it left many in tears. A performer. A leader. A once-unseen youth who is now impossible to ignore. 

Lights, Camera, Action! Sleep Out Season Is Here 

Sleep Out: Stage & Screen was the opening number for our 2025-2026 Sleep Out season, a months long movement of people giving up their beds to ensure young people facing homelessness can sleep safely at Covenant House. 

As we head into Youth Homelessness Awareness Month this November, there are so many ways to get involved: 

• Join a Sleep Out. Find an upcoming event taking place near you.
• Start a Sleep Out. If you don't see a Sleep Out in your community, consider creating your own.
• Fundraise. If you are unable to attend a Sleep Out, consider supporting other sleepers in your community. Make a donation or help spread the word. 

All funds raised go directly to Covenant House, where they are immediately put to work caring for youth. 

Since Sleep Out began in 2011, more than 650,000 people have raised over $170 million to fund housing, safety, therapy, meals, and workforce development programs for youth overcoming homelessness and trafficking across the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. 

And this year we’re going even further. With The Journey Home, our bold strategic plan to cut youth homelessness in half by 2035, every Sleep Out, every story, and every supporter matters more than ever. 

The Curtain Call 

As the night came to a close, voices rose in unison to sing “Lean on Me,” a Sleep Out: Stage & Screen tradition that speaks to everything Covenant House is about: community, resilience, and radical love. 

Sleep Out participants kept the conversation going right into the morning when they joined together for reflections, and we only broke up our sacred circle of compassion and vulnerability when we were reminded that we needed to clear the space for the residents who’d be coming down momentarily to start their day. 

That moment, that shift from reflection to reality, is exactly why we Sleep Out. 

To everyone who slept outside with us on Aug. 10, or who plans to Sleep Out with us this fall: Thank you. 

The curtain's up and the spotlight is on our movement.