San Diego Rescue Mission Leads Homeless Awareness Initiative With its Eighth Annual Sleepless San Diego Oct. 11/12, 2014.

San Diego, CA -- Approximately 10,000 men, women, and children are homeless in San Diego.

Some have suffered sudden homelessness due to abuse or economic hardship. Others have endured chronic homelessness, which means they have lived in an emergency homeless shelter continuously for at least one year or have experienced four episodes of homelessness over a three-year span.

To increase awareness of the homeless and provide a forum for the community to get involved in changing lives, the San Diego Rescue Mission (www.sdrescue.org) will hold its Eight Annual Sleepless America San Diego event on October 11/12, 2014 at Liberty Station. The event begins at 4:30 p.m. Saturday and ends Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. This SLEEP LESS, SERVE MORE event raises awareness of homelessness, educates San Diegans on ways they can help those on the streets, and generates funds to help thousands of local homeless men, women, and children permanently change their lives. To register, please visit www.sleeplesssandiego.org.

Herb Johnson, President and CEO of the San Diego Rescue Mission, noted that since 1955 the Rescue Mission has provided sanctuary and hope for the homeless. Over the years, it has adapted and expanded to address the evolving demands for service. Long-term rehabilitation and restorative programs, emergency shelter for women and children, and a recuperative care center for the homeless leaving the hospital are just some of the programs through which the Mission gives people the tools to escape the streets.

“Eight years ago, the San Diego Rescue Mission, in collaboration with other faith-based, social service, and community partners, launched Sleepless America San Diego to bring attention to the challenges of chronic homelessness and the ever increasing number of people living on the streets of this wonderful city,” said Johnson. “We needed to do something to elevate the process of finding solutions. This year, we expect about 25 to 30 Rescue Missions across America will participate in Sleepless America.”

In an effort to increase education and awareness, there will be activities to help the homeless, educational discussions, activities, and Sleepless products.

Johnson noted that participants can come for the evening activities only. Those who wish to sleep over will be able to choose to sleep on a cot, cardboard, or plastic sheeting to gain a greater appreciation of the homeless condition.

“We clearly recognize that Sleepless San Diego does not in any way recreate the dire and often haunting circumstances of true homelessness,” said Johnson. “The approximately 1,000 participants of Sleepless San Diego who choose to spend the night will enjoy live music from local artists and musical groups, meet several organizations who also provide valued services to the homeless community, view powerful video testimonies and engage in fireside chats that focus on the personal aspects of homelessness. Our goal is to generate increased awareness of and solutions for a truly tragic situation that affects far too many people in our community.”

Participants will receive light snacks and beverages, and will be able to purchase food on site. First aid supplies, medical staff, and private security guards will be on-site throughout the event.

“Ours is a message of hope,” said Johnson, “and as Sleepless campaigns expand across America, we pray that our voices join together to help bring powerful coalition and solutions to the plight of homelessness.”

Sleepless San Diego

Founded by the San Diego Rescue Mission in 2007, Sleepless San Diego encourages all members of the community to join the Rescue Mission and its Sleepless Alliance partner organizations to “sleep out” on one designated night per year to increase recognition of homelessness, demonstrate unity, and become part of the chorus for lasting solutions. For additional information on Sleepless San Diego, or to register for the event, please visit www.sleeplesssandiego.org.

About the San Diego Rescue Mission

Founded in 1955, The San Diego Rescue Mission (SDRM) is a faith-based organization that offers safe-haven as well as restorative care and rehabilitation services to the homeless, addicted, abused, and poor in our community. Headquartered in Banker’s Hill, downtown San Diego, San Diego Rescue Mission offers a wide range of onsite programs and services through our Nueva Vida Haven Emergency Shelter, Partners for Hunger Relief, Men’s Center, Women and Children’s Center, Transitional Housing, Recuperative Care Center, Outpatient Clinic and a NEW Children’s Center opened on September 2. San Diego Rescue Mission also owns and operates Thrift Stores in North Park, National City, City Heights and Point Loma. For additional information, please visit www.sdrescue.org.