The Blackstone Valley Emergency Shelter (BVES) will launch its first “SleepOut for Hope Challenge” on November 7, 8, and 9. Participants can register to give up their bed for a night so that a homeless person in the community can get out of the cold and enjoy a night of comfort.

Besides raising awareness of homelessness, the fundraising aspect of the event requires those giving up their beds sign up sponsors in return for hunkering down on a couch, a sleeping bag, in your yard or on an organization’s property – any place but their own comfy bed. (Make sure you have permission!)

The money collected will be donated to BVES to help it provide its services to the homeless people in the area. 

Now in its eighth year, BVES is headquartered at St. Patrick’s Church , One Cross Street in Whitinsville . It’s a year-round endeavor, not just for the winter.  Summer sees the shelter providing cooling stations for people who need to get some relief from the heat. The emergency shelter keeps an inclusive list of places that provide services in the Blackstone Valley.  These include help for the homeless families and individuals, the elderly, as well as domestic abuse survivors. They can steer folks to food pantries. 

“Our goal is to have 50 people give up their beds for just one night,” said Leslie Reichert, CEO of BVES. “It’s not about being uncomfortable—it’s about showing compassion, building empathy, and raising awareness for those who don’t have a safe place to sleep. This small act can make a big difference.”

Anyone can join the SleepOut Challenge—families, youth groups, church congregations, businesses, and individuals of all ages. The event is designed to be flexible, safe, and meaningful for everyone who participates.

The BVES has also had great success with its Police Partnership Program, where the shelter supplies local police departments with Hope Bags that contain space blankets, snacks, and other necessities based on the weather. Also, they
provide gift cards to local establishments so the homeless can be considered a customer, allowing them the opportunity to sit down, get something to eat, and charge their phones. The BVES also relies on police officers to use discretion in offering a homeless person lodging at a local facility. 

People in need of shelter can also do one free load of laundry a month at BVES.

And just last month, BVES held a ribbon cutting at new thrift store “Hope’s Closet” with State Sen. Ryan Fattman, Whitinsville Community Center, Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce and UniBank. Donations may be dropped off at Trinity Church, 33 Linwood Avenue, Whitinsville.

To register for the SleepOut visit: bvemergencyshelter.org/event-details/bves-sleepout or zeffy.com/en-US/peer-to-peer/sleep-out-for-homelessness. You can also call 508-266-5122.