Covenant House Sleep Out | March 19 & 20
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Abigail Merola
Last week, sixty-six Upper School students along with faculty and staff members participated in Notre Dame’s first Covenant House Sleep Out on campus. Covenant House Pennsylvania is a nonprofit organization committed to providing hope and resources to young people experiencing homelessness and other systemic injustices.
Notre Dame alumna, alum parent, and former Board member, Debbie Pearce McCabe ’81, is on the Board of Covenant House and partnered with our Campus Ministry on this impactful opportunity for our students. Mrs. McCabe was on campus for the presentation and activities prior to the Sleep Out.
Our students began their evening by gathering in Cuvilly Hall for a presentation from Covenant House on the realities of youth homelessness, followed by a curated service project to support their mission. Girls then proceeded to our Sister Corinne Ritchie Memorial Grotto for a prayer service led by Ms. Tully.
Following these meaningful conversations and activities, our students made their way to the Sunflower Courtyard with their sleeping bags to spend the night. Upon waking up this morning, the girls, faculty, and staff attended Liturgy in the Mansion Chapel before heading off to classes. The entire program was centered around the goals of empathy building and acting in solidarity with youth that experience life without a home as a daily reality.
Extraordinary thanks to the sixty-six young women of Notre Dame along with Ms. Duffy, Mr. Gaspich, Ms. Napier, Ms. Sheldon, and Ms. Tully for modeling the mission of the Sisters of Notre Dame and providing hope and support to Covenant House in their quest to help those in need. Additionally, students were able to enhance their participation in the Sleep Out with a fundraising opportunity for friends and family. Over $6,500 was raised overnight for Covenant House.