More than 165 Prep students spent the night in Prep’s courtyard on May 8 in solidarity with the millions of young people who experience homelessness in the United States each year at the Student Sleep Out, a popular annual fundraising initiative that has raised $65,807 thus far in support of Covenant House New Jersey for 2026.
Covenant House New Jersey is a nonprofit organization that “empowers young people to overcome homelessness and trafficking by providing them with safe housing, food and clothing, and relentless support.” Sleep Outs hosted by schools and other communities across the country benefit their mission annually.
In the days leading up to this year’s event, Prep students gathered for multiple “text and email blitzes,” during which they engaged and energized their own networks in support of their fundraising goal.
The Sleep Out itself began in the O’Keefe Commons on May 8, with time for pizza, camaraderie, and brotherhood. Assistant Director of Campus Ministry Mr. Keith Cummings, ’10, whose ongoing leadership has cemented this initiative’s strong place at Grand & Warren, delivered opening remarks and welcomed the Student Sleep Out Committee: John McClelland ’26, Patrick Naughton ’26, Alexander Sasha Tyazhelkov, ’26, Maximillian Yershov, ’27, Desmond Tripp, ’28, and Ray Lipkin, ’28.
John McClelland, ’26 once again led his peers in fundraising this year and is currently one of the top ten fundraisers in the state of New Jersey.
Throughout the night, Prep students, many of whom were sleeping out for the very first time, heard from representatives of Covenant House New Jersey, including Chief Development Officer Jim Low and Senior Development Director Janette Dubenezic, as well as several Covenant House alumni, who have benefited from the programs Prep’s efforts continue to support.
At 10 PM, the participants finally adjourned to the courtyard for a candlelit vigil before gathering cardboard boxes to fashion makeshift shelters and settling in for the night ahead.
We thank the Campus Ministry Department, including Director of Campus Ministry Dr. Susan Woolever, Campus Ministry Associate Ms. Maureen Hess, P’17, 19, and Mr. Patrick Rooney, ’21, Alumni Service Corps, for their support of these efforts. We also thank the Prep faculty and staff who joined us this year, as well as the entire Operations Team.
Sleep Out fundraising efforts are ongoing. Learn more at spprep.org/sleepout.
