Community-wide event raises awareness and funds for youth experiencing homelessness
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Columbus, OH [January 7, 2026] – Huckleberry House is proud to announce its 2026 Sleep Out, its signature community awareness and fundraising event, in partnership with First Congregational Church, UCC, Columbus, through its Unsheltered Ministry. Taking place on Friday, May 29 on the church grounds located at 444 East Broad Street in downtown Columbus, Sleep Out centers on the theme, “We Are Community,” emphasizing our collective responsibility to ensure every young person has a safe place to sleep.
Sleep Out invites individuals, faith leaders, corporate partners, advocates, and supporters to spend one night outside in community and in solidarity with young people experiencing homelessness. Participants gain a deeper understanding of the realities faced by youth in crisis while raising critical funds to support Huckleberry House’s shelter, housing, and prevention programs.
“We are community is more than a theme – it is a call to action,” said Jennifer Sharma, CEO of Huckleberry House. “When young people experience homelessness, it is not just their burden to carry. It is ours. Our many partners in the community, including First Congregational Church, reflect the kind of shared commitment it takes to show up for youth, not just one night, but every day.
First Congregational Church, UCC, Columbus, joins the 2026 Sleep Out as a community partner, reinforcing its long-standing commitment to service, compassion, and justice. “At First Congregational Church, we believe faith is lived out through action,” said Interim Associate Pastor, Rev. Jess Young Chang. “We are honored to partner with Huckleberry House and its event, Sleep Out, to stand alongside young people and advocate as part of a caring, responsive community.”
Also joining Sleep Out 2026 are host committee members: Julie Simono with Colliers International and a member of Huckleberry House’s Board of Directors, Arianny Damian, The Wilder Family, and C3 Church.
Each year, Huckleberry House serves thousands of young people and family’s across central Ohio who are experiencing homelessness, family crisis, or housing instability. Funds raised through Sleep Out directly support emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, and prevention services, meeting youth where they are helping them move toward safety, stability, and independence.
Community members are encouraged to register (opening in March 2026), form teams, and fundraise for the event. No one sleeps out alone – participants are surrounded by a network of support, reflection, and shared purpose.
About Huckleberry House
Huckleberry House, based in Columbus, Ohio has been a leading nonprofit serving youth in crisis since 1970. The organization provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, and outreach services for youth, ages 12-24, experiencing homelessness, family conflict, poverty, or violence. Helping them find safety, stability, and independence. The mission of Huckleberry House is: With hope, we shelter, support, and guide youth navigating challenges.
In 2025, Huckleberry House provided:
- Nearly 32,000 nights of shelter across its programs
- More than 28,000 hours of counseling and mental health services to youth and families in our community
- More than 400 youth, ages 12-17, support in its Teen Crisis Program, with 86% transitioning to safe and stable shelter
2025 Sleep Out video: https://bit.ly/4pI6DpL
For more information, visit: https://www.huck-house.org
About First Congregational Church
With roots going back to 1852 as the first white abolitionist church in Columbus, First Congregational Church UCC, is an open and affirming congregation that extends an extravagant welcome to all persons, regardless of who they are and where they are on their faith journey.
The congregation seeks to address injustice through the 3 Great Loves: Love of Neighbor, Love of Children, and Love of Creation. From its beginning, First Church has focused on living our faith through worship and social justice, and this focus continues to this day.
For more information, visit: https://www.first-church.org/
Carol Argiro, Director of Advancement
Huckleberry House
cargiro@huck-house.org | 614-298-41398
