DO THIS: Camp Out at Thomas Paine Plaza For LGBT Homeless Youth

Change Philly Today is partnering with LGBT groups from Temple University and Community College of Philadelphia to shine an LGBT spotlight on National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. And they’re not merely going to be standing around waving signs or pinning on a button—these folks are spending an entire night in Thomas Paine Plaza to, as organizer Rusty Doll puts it, “show solidarity and bring awareness by experiencing for one night what it is like to be homeless.”

“This is our first time doing this,” Doll says. “We are hoping that by spending the night in the shadows of City Hall and the administrative office that the city will take more proactive steps in ending youth homelessness.

And he aims for some of the youth involved to glean a lesson or two, as well. “I am hoping participants will walk away in the morning with a little more compassion for those who are forced to battle the conditions of having to live on the streets.”

The evening will begin with a short introduction, then Change Philly will provide a meal that it normally provides to the homeless during its monthly street outreach. The menu includes turkey sandwiches, PB and Js, a bottle of water and a piece of fruit. The rest of the evening will include a variety of activities to pass the time, like organized board and card games, and goofing around on Thomas Paine Plaza’s giant Monopoly pieces.

The all-nighter takes place on Thursday, November 20th, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., at Thomas Paine Plaza. More information can be found here.