Village School Students Raise Awareness for Homeless Youth with Sleepout Event

Students at The Village School recently took part in a unique and impactful event to raise awareness about youth homelessness. Organized by senior Alessio Berard, the sleepout event brought 26 students together for a night spent sleeping outdoors, simulating the experience of homelessness. The initiative, inspired by Covenant House Texas’s annual executive sleepout, also raised more than $3,000 to support the organization’s mission.

Covenant House Texas is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing shelter, support, and opportunities for homeless and at-risk youth. 

Alessio's efforts also gained the attention of local news media. Watch his interview on KPRC2.

A Student-Led Effort

Berard’s passion for the cause began after attending a Covenant House executive sleepout last year, where business leaders spent the night outside to raise funds and awareness for homeless youth.

“While supporting my dad at the event, I spoke with one of the executives and mentioned how great it would be to see events like this on a smaller scale so students like me could participate,” said Berard. “That conversation planted the idea for me to organize a sleepout at my school, and I’m so proud of what we accomplished.”

The event required extensive planning and coordination with school administrators, but Berard’s dedication made it a reality.
“I worked with leadership at The Village School and also collaborated with Covenant House,” Berard explained. “With their support, we were able to make it happen.”

A Lesson in Empathy

Participants faced unpredictable weather during the December sleepout, adding an extra layer of realism to the experience. Most students slept outside in covered areas, while a few stayed inside on the hard gym floor. Despite the challenges, the students embraced the opportunity to reflect on the struggles faced by homeless youth.

“The difference in how students viewed homelessness before and after the event was striking,” Berard shared. “You could see their perspectives shift as we discussed the realities faced by homeless youth in Houston. That impact was exactly what I hoped for.”

Head of School Bill Delbrugge also participated, praising Berard’s leadership and the event’s transformative effect.

“This event gave our students a small but powerful glimpse into what many young people endure every day,” said Delbrugge. “Alessio’s determination to make this happen is a testament to his character and our school’s commitment to creating meaningful experiences that give back to the community.”

Raising Funds and Awareness

The event raised more than $4,000, with 100% of the proceeds going directly to Covenant House Texas. The funds will help provide shelter, food, and resources to homeless youth. Covenant House staff and alumni also attended the event to share their stories, further deepening the students’ understanding of the organization’s impact.

“Knowing that we were able to raise thousands of dollars to support such a great cause is incredibly rewarding,” Berard said. “I hope this inspires other schools to organize similar events.”

Delbrugge echoed this sentiment, adding, “The Village School is proud to support initiatives like this that not only teach our students about social responsibility but also inspire them to lead change.”

Looking Ahead

Berard hopes to see the sleepout concept grow across Houston and beyond.

“Covenant House does amazing work, and I’d love to challenge other highschools to take on this project,” he said. “This event has shown me the power of community, and I know it can make a difference on a larger scale.”

Donations to Covenant House Texas can still be made through their website at CovenantHouseTX.org. The funds will continue to provide vital support to homeless youth in the Houston area.