Family Promise Mat-Su raising awareness on family homelessness through social media challenge

WASILLA — Family Promise Mat-Su is participating in the 2022 Night Without a Bed social media challenge to raise awareness for families experiencing homelessness.

According to a recent press release, Family Promise Mat-Su is joining over 200 chapters across the nation in this annual campaign, which starts Oct. 17.

Each Family Promise chapter works to fulfill the national organization’s mission to support homeless and financially vulnerable families in their respective communities throughout the year through a range of services.

The Night Without a Bed social media challenge is an annual reflection of that mission, a time dedicated to spreading awareness through public participation.

Those that wish to participate are asked to spend one night sleeping anywhere outside of their bed for one night such as cars, couches, tents, living room floors, or treehouses.

Participants are also asked to post a video or photo with the hashtag “#NightWithoutABed2022” to describe their experiences and encourage their friends and family to participate in the challenge or donate to Family Promise.

Family Promise chapters raised over $100,000 nationwide during the 2021 challenge.

“We are excited about joining together with National and other Affiliates for this event,” Family Promise Mat-Su Executive Director Ginger Bear stated in the press release.

Over 3 million American children experience homelessness each year, according to the press release.

Those children are 8-9 times more likely to repeat a grade, 3 times more likely to be placed in special education programs, and 7 times more likely to attempt suicide.

Forty-two percent are expected to drop out of school at some point and 47 percent will suffer from anxiety, depression, or withdrawal.

“Homelessness is not only the person holding a sign on the street corner. Homelessness can be sleeping in a vehicle, a friend’s couch, or anywhere that is not your home. And, it can happen to anyone. One hospital visit, raised rent, or car accident can create loss of work, an income, and eventually lead to housing insecurity,” Bear stated in the press release.

Family Promise has served over one million family members since the national organization was founded over 30 years ago, according to the press release.

Family Promise offers a variety of solutions for family homelessness including prevention, shelter, and stabilization services.

For more information on Night Without a Bed and how to participate, visit nightwithoutabed.org.

For more information about Family Promise, visit fpm-su.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com