What Is the Sleep Out?
For one night, community leaders, board members and partners of the Homeless ID Project will sleep outside; not as a stunt, but to raise awareness of one of the most overlooked barriers to ending homelessness: access to identification.
Without an ID, individuals cannot:
- Apply for housing
- Access healthcare or treatment
- Get a job
- Receive many public benefits
This overnight event honors the legacy of our founder and calls attention to a growing crisis: rising unsheltered homelessness combined with shrinking resources.
Why This Matters Now
In 1987, Rev. Gerald Roseberry spent a month living among people experiencing homelessness in Phoenix and Tucson. By assuming the identity of someone without housing, he discovered a critical truth:
Lack of personal identification was one of the biggest barriers preventing people from rebuilding their lives.
That insight led to the founding of the Ecumenical Chaplaincy for the Homeless in 1988, which is now the Homeless ID Project.
Today, that same barrier still exists, but the consequences are more severe than ever….
- Unsheltered homelessness in Maricopa County has risen sharply
- Demand for ID services continues to increase
- Public and grant funding is declining
The Sleep Out is our way of saying: homelessness is not inevitable and solutions start with something as basic as an ID.
Want to stay connected to the Sleep Out and see how one night can change lives?
Sign up to receive event updates, live stream links, and impact stories.
What Will Happen During the Night
From sunset to sunrise, we’ll be sharing real stories, conversations, and perspectives from people on the front lines of homelessness.
🎥 LIVE throughout the night on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube, featuring:
- Board members and community leaders
- Service providers and advocates
- Reflections on homelessness, dignity, and solutions
- Calls to action you can participate in from anywhere
You don’t have to sleep outside to be part of it.
Below is an interview with Carrie Masters, CEO of St. Joseph the Worker, an organization that sees firsthand how access to identification opens the door to employment, housing, and long-term stability.
Sponsor the Sleep Out
Sponsorships help underwrite the event and directly fund ID services for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Sponsors help ensure this night translates into real action the next morning. Benefits may include:
- Public recognition before, during, and after the event
- Logo or name inclusion on event materials
- Social media mentions and live-stream acknowledgments
- Direct impact: funding real IDs for real people
Interested in sponsoring? Contact Megan at ml****@********ss.org or call 602-223-3427
Make a Donation
Every gift helps remove a critical barrier to stability.
- $40 provides one state ID and birth certificate replacement for someone working to rebuild their life.
- IDs unlock access to housing, healthcare, employment, and treatment
- Monthly giving creates consistent, life-changing impact
Arizona taxpayers: You can use the Arizona Charitable Tax Credit and receive your donation back when you file, at no net cost to you.
👉 Click to Donate Now
