For the eighth time this year, Brian Tinney will roll out a sleeping bag and give up a night in his own bed in support of the youth at Covenant House.
The power and purpose he gained in recent years from becoming a champion for young people experiencing homelessness in his community has kept him coming back and contributing in new ways.
Beyond participating in Sleep Out: Champions Edition, which raises critical funds to help Covenant House provide safety and support for young people experiencing homelessness, Brian co-chairs the Sleep Out committee, shaping the annual event into a meaningful experience for the caring community of supporters it brings together.
“We really want to give sleepers an impactful experience so when they walk away, they have a strong sense of the issue and how important it is that they help,” he said.
Covenant House supports 16–24-year-olds with a safe place to stay, and offers nutritious meals, and access to on-site healthcare, counselling services, education, job readiness training, skill development opportunities and much more.
It is always so powerful to hear from alumni youth at this event, he said - to hear exactly how life-changing Covenant House’s support has been for them. First-time sleepers also get tours of the building at 20 Gerrard to learn more about how Covenant House is so much more than a shelter.
Brian and his workplace, RPIA, a Toronto-based asset management firm, have been long-time supporters of Covenant House and are committed to giving back. His team has been working hard to fundraise and draw attention to the issue of youth homelessness and trafficking.
It helps that Brian is never shy to ask for donations.
“My philosophy on this is simple,” he said. “If you can help, you should.”