It was 39 degrees that night. The wind cut through the sleeping bag like it wasn’t even there. The ground was cold, hard, and unforgiving. At 2 a.m., the streetlights flickered while distant traffic echoed. Sleep didn’t come easy.

But that was the point.

Each person lying on the ground that night was part of Only Hope WNC’s SleepOut—a bold event to raise awareness for youth experiencing homelessness. They chose one night outside to reflect the reality that so many young people face every night—but without a choice.

Since Hurricane Helene, the crisis has only grown. What was once an estimated 400 homeless youth in Henderson County has surged to over 8,000 across Western North Carolina, as families were displaced, support systems broke down, and resources stretched thin.

Among the participants was Tasha, a high school senior who lived through the storm and its aftermath. “We lost everything. We slept in the car for weeks before someone told us about Only Hope,” she shared. “The SleepOut isn’t about pretending—it’s about being seen. It’s about making sure others don’t get left behind.”

Funds raised from the SleepOut help provide emergency shelter, food, mental health services, clothing, and case management to youth like Tasha. It turns one night of discomfort into months of support, healing, and stability.

The SleepOut is more than symbolic—it’s action.

When you join us, you’re not just sleeping outside. You’re standing in solidarity with the thousands of young people displaced by Helene. You’re making a statement: that no youth should have to go without a bed, a roof, or hope.

Sleepout 2025

By ONLY HOPE WNC

Sleepout 2025

Team Leaderboard

Team Members