MEDIA INVITE

August 6, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

2014 CEO SLEEPOUT PARTICIPANTS TO BE UNVEILED, AS PART OF FUNDRAISING & AWARENESS CAMPAIGN FOR HOMELESS: AUGUST 7

Downtown Winnipeg – On September 18^th, more than 140 CEOs, community leaders, and members of the media will take to the streets at the 4^th annual CEO Sleepout. Camped out at Portage and Main, participants will help to elevate the discussion about homelessness and raise funds to give those living on the streets employment opportunities.

Media are invited to meet participants of the 2014 CEO Sleepout and to learn more about the event. In addition, Red Road Lodge will receive $22,900 for a unique employment program for the homeless, supported through remaining funds from last year’s CEO Sleepout:

When: August 7, 2014 from 10-11AM

Where: United Way of Winnipeg (580 Main Street)

Why: CEOs to raise funds and awareness for homelessness and poverty issues

Visual for media: Group photo of participating CEOs

Itinerary

• The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
• The Honourable Kevin Chief, Minister Responsible for Children and Youth Opportunities & Minister Responsible for the City of Winnipeg
• Councillor Mike Pagtakhan (Point Douglas), on behalf of the City of Winnipeg
• Kelvin Shepherd, MTS President
• Brian Ironstand, Red Road Lodge Hired Participant

Funding to Red Road Lodge & Unveiling of CEO Sleepout Participants

• Ari Driver, Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, Homelessness Committee Chair

Since its inception, the CEO Sleepout has fundraised nearly half a million dollars to employ 40 individuals who are homeless – providing shelter, quality of life supports, and an opportunity to contribute back to the city in a positive and meaningful way. Many of these individuals have returned to school or found permanent full-time jobs – prospects once considered unattainable due to the numerous barriers facing those deeply entrenched in the cycle of poverty and homelessness.

Earlier this year, $173,773 of funds raised from last year’s CEO Sleepout were doled out to Graffiti Art Programming Inc., Artbeat Studio, Macdonald Youth Services, Red Road Lodge, and Siloam Mission to create employment opportunities for 38 individuals experiencing homelessness – amounting to 24,070 hours in 2014.

Immediately following the press conference, CEO Sleepout participants and members of the media will get an opportunity to meet individuals hired through the program.

For more information, please contact:

Jason Syvixay, Managing Director

Ph: (204) 958-4635; 997-3040

Email: jason@downtownwinnipegbiz.com