Brittany Trumper’s first Sleep Out was in 2019. She arrived as part of a team with her then-colleagues at Deloitte with her sleeping bag and no idea what to expect.

During the dinner – created by graduates of the Covenant House Cooking for Life program, which prepares young people for entry-level employment in the food services industry – and the subsequent presentations, Brittany said she was “blown away.”

“I was floored by the scope of services Covenant House provides,” she says. “From there, I became very passionate about helping the organization.” It led to Brittany and some Deloitte colleagues developing and carrying out a mentorship program for Covenant House youth. Prior to the pandemic, they held weekly workshops on subjects like resilience, responsibility – “the sort of soft skills you need in a professional environment.”

Brittany appreciates the way Covenant House helps young people at a critical point in their life and gives them the tools and support they need to build a future for themselves. And she sees Sleep Out as a wonderful way to connect with youth, staff and event participants who share a desire to make an impact towards helping young people in need.

The event also provided Brittany with a deeper understanding of the sad reality of youth homelessness in Canada and that it happens for a range of reasons. It really illuminated for her how Covenant House supports young people to pursue a path forward, and life of wellness and success.

“That moto of Covenant House – of meeting the youth where they’re at – it’s such an effective approach.”

In a year with a record number of first-time sleepers, Brittany appreciates some might be feeling the way she did when she showed up for the first time in 2019. She’ll be there this year with a team of colleagues from her current workplace, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan – she’s excited for them to be as inspired as she was at her first Sleep Out.

“Sleep Out really connects you to the mission of Covenant House,” she says. “I think any time you’re doing something that expands your empathy, it deepens your resolve to help address the problem. At least that’s true for me.”