Teens brave a cold, rainy night to raise awareness about youth homelessness

OLATHE, Kan. - Teens all over the country and in the Kansas City metro spent the night outside to raise awareness for teenage homelessness.

The One Homeless Night event was held at churches and schools throughout the metro. According to experts, on any given night in Greater Kansas City there are 2,000 "unattached"  teens living on the streets, sleeping in cars or "couch-surfing" with friends because they do not have a safe place to live.

Saturday night students throughout the metro slept outside to support their homeless peers--raising money and awareness that help to address the challenge of teen homelessness in Kansas City.  

Ryan Dugan was among the area teens who took the challenge. Dugan and eight other students slept outside of St. Andrew Christian Church in Olathe.

"It was hard. Especially when it started raining, the cardboard starting caving in," Dugan confessed.

More than 20 groups, including school, faith and community organizations throughout Greater Kansas City held "One Homeless Night" activities between November 8 and November 10.

To learn more about Kansas City teens who have no place to call home visit www.synergyservices.org.