Teens Spend Cold Night Sleeping in Boxes In North Caldwell To Understand Homelessness

NORTH CALDWELL, NJ — Teens from North Caldwell’s Notre Dame Church learned what it might feel like to be homeless last month by sleeping outside with meager shelter and food on a frigid night.

The parish conducts a "Homeless Sleepout" annually. This year's sleepout took place Nov. 12.

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The youth, ranging from 14 to 18 years old, slept outside the church in cardboard boxes they found themselves, with only a small fire keeping them warm.

They were allowed to bring a sleeping bag, pillow, and winter clothing, but could not use their phone or eat anything other than sandwiches they were given early.

The teens also slept on damp ground, since it rained that day.

Kristen Mautone, the church's director of youth ministry, said, "They might have neighbors or classmates who can’t afford a box of cereal. But just one person can make a difference.”

In fact, a number of students in the West Essex School District, of which North Caldwell is a part, qualify for free and reduced lunch — meaning a family of three would have an income of $40,626 or lower.

“We often take for granted what we have, so letting the kids sleep outside was a way of showing them there are many people who don’t have electronics or a warm blanket or a home,” said Kristen Mautone, Notre Dame Church’s director of youth ministry.

“I hope they walk away from this experience feeling grateful and lucky for what they have," she
added. "And I hope they realize that homelessness is closer than they think."

Gave Donations To Food Pantry

The teens also collected 15 bags of cereal, tuna, coffee, snacks, and other nonperishables over the course of the Homeless Sleepout. Items were donated by participating youth as well as by caring parishioners.

All the contributions will go to the nearby Caldwell Food Pantry, which was selected to further emphasize that people in the teens’ own backyard could use some help.

Notre Dame Church is a parish of the Archdiocese of Newark, which encompasses Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union counties. To learn more about Notre Dame’s Youth Ministry, visit https://www.ndparishnc.com/youth-m.

The Archdiocese of Newark, under the leadership of Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., the sixth archbishop of Newark, serves approximately 1.3 million Catholics in 212 parishes throughout the counties of Bergen, Essex, Hudson, and Union. The Archdiocese serves the northern New Jersey community through faith, education, and social services. Learn more at www.rcan.org.

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