Sent via email on November 17, 2011

Dear Kimberly:

As you well remember, last school year a group of students at White Plains HS participated in the 2nd Annual Sleepout for the Homeless where they solicited monetary donations from friends, family and teachers in return for spending a cold late-winter night outside sleeping in cardboard boxes as a simulation of homelessness and to raise awareness of the issues surrounding those without permanent homes.  The money raised is being donated to the Midnight Run Organization in Dobbs Ferry, NY and the Grace Church Community Center here in White Plains which runs the Open Arms Shelter.

After spending the night outside sleeping in their makeshift cardboard shelters, the students came in for breakfast where they had the opportunity to hear presentations from two members of your Speakers Bureau.  It was their presentation that really made a powerful impact on the students.  Being able to hear first hand the hardships encountered by people who spent years living on the streets was extraordinarily powerful.  The students were enthralled listening to their stories and were able to have a conversation with them in order to really understand the issues that homeless folk have to deal with in their daily lives.  It not only helped our kids gain a better understanding of what it means to be homeless, but also helped them appreciate what they have and to not take for granted the fact that they have a permanent home.  Though the Sleepout took place last school year, I still have students come to me and ask me when this year's Sleepout is taking place and if they're going to be able to meet more members from your speakers bureau.  Clearly, the speakers had a profound impact on the lives of our students and for that I, and the members of the WPHS Midnight Run Club, would like to extend our deep appreciation to IAHH and your speakers for participating in our event.  We sincerely hope that this will be the beginning of a long partnership between IAHH and the Midnight Run Club of White Plains High School.

Warmest regards,
Ricardo Vela
Social Studies Teacher
Midnight Run Club Advisor
White Plains High School