For some families in Wayne County, nighttime brings uncertainty — not rest — and a local organization is asking residents to experience that reality firsthand.
Family Promise of Wayne County will host its “Night Without a Bed” event on May 30 at Ginegaw Park in Walworth, inviting participants to spend the night sleeping in their vehicles to better understand the challenges faced by families experiencing homelessness.
Organizers say the event is designed to go beyond a traditional fundraiser, offering a hands-on experience meant to build awareness of housing instability in the community. Families with children, they note, are among the fastest-growing segments of the homeless population, often despite being employed and working to stay afloat.
The overnight event will begin with check-in at 5 p.m., with participants expected to remain in their vehicles throughout the night. Admission is set at $10 per person, which includes a “blessing bag” and a vote in event activities.
Additional fundraising opportunities include “symbolic homes,” where participants can decorate displays representing housing challenges for a $50 donation. Voting for those entries will take place from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the day of the event.
Organizers say the goal is to foster a deeper understanding of the realities many local families face, particularly those living on the edge of financial instability where a single unexpected expense can lead to the loss of housing.
Registration is available online, with additional information provided by Family Promise of Wayne County.
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