Losing Sleep, Losing Homes Toolkit
The Losing Sleep, Losing Homes Vigil
MN ACT’s is a coalition of organizations defending federal funding for supportive housing in Minnesota. This group of 185 organizations is taking immediate action by holding a twelve-hour vigil called “Losing Sleep, Losing Homes” on Tuesday, November 25, where faith leaders, residents, and partners to gather and honor those whose housing is at risk and to call for Congress and HUD to keep their promise to communities nationwide. Register to attend the vigil here.
Why: Recent HUD changes to the Continuum of Care program will slash federal homelessness funding for 3,600 Minnesotans, with our state losing more than half of this critical support. The result would be thousands of people displaced and a destabilized housing system—triggering an immediate rise in unsheltered homelessness as programs close and Minnesota’s homelessness response is severely disrupted.
Where & When: We invite you to sign up for one or more hour-long shifts to participate in this twelve-hour vigil—either virtually from home using Zoom or in person on Tuesday, November 25 from 7 pm to Wednesday, November 26 at 7 am.
In person at the Basilica of St. Mary, 1600 Hennepin Ave, Mpls, or virtual using Zoom at your own home. To participate, please register here.
Participating in the Vigil
In person, inside at the Basilica of St. Mary, Minneapolis
Once you have signed up to take one or more one-hour shifts to attend the vigil in person, you will receive an email with details about parking, where to enter and other logistics. During the vigil, show your support for homes as you: Hold vigil at your designated time inside at the lower-level chapel in the Basilica of St. Mary (1600 Hennepin Ave. Minneapolis), use the resources provided at the vigil to write to your members of Congress, participate in the short program during that hour, take time for silent reflection/prayer, and stand in community and fellowship with others. If you take photos of yourself during the vigil, share them on social media using the hashtag #losingsleep4homes. And, email 1-2 of your best ones to info@beaconinterfaith.org. Your photo may be used in public communications.
Virtually using Zoom at home or an offsite location
Once you have signed up to take one or more one-hour shifts to stay awake in solidarity in your home or an offsite location, you will receive an email about how to log in using Zoom. You can show your support for homes as you: Log into the Zoom link for the hour you indicated and stay awake at your designated time. Then, use the resources provided on this web page to write to your members of Congress, participate in the short program during that hour, take time for silent reflection/prayer, and remain in community and fellowship with others. If you take photos of yourself during the vigil, share them on social media using the hashtag #losingsleep4homes. And, email 1-2 of your best ones to info@beaconinterfaith.org. Your photo may be used in public communications.
VIGIL RESOURCE TOOLKIT FOR PARTICIPANTS
VIGIL ADVOCACY ACTION TOOLKIT FOR PARTICIPANTS
Promoting the Vigil
Sample faith community copy
On November 13, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced sweeping changes that would slash federal homelessness funding nationwide – including support for 3,600 Minnesotans. Stand in solidarity with our neighbors by participating in the Losing Sleep, Losing Homes Vigil (tinyurl.com/losing-sleep) a 12-hour vigil sponsored by The Basilica of St. Mary, Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, and Catholic Charities Twin Cities. The vigil is from Tuesday, November 25 at 7 pm to Wednesday, November 26 at 7 am. You can join the vigil in person or virtually using Zoom. Sign up to take one or more one-hour shifts to stay awake, contact your member of Congress, and hold vigil. Those who are able are especially encouraged to come in person to the Basilica of St. Mary, 1600 Hennepin Ave. Mpls, on Tuesday for the kickoff from 7-9 pm and/or Wednesday from 6-7 am as we close the vigil to help create a strong, visible presence.
Sample graphic
Scroll over the image and right click on it to download. Then share it through email or social media.
Sample email
Dear ____________
On November 13 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced sweeping changes that would slash federal homelessness funding nationwide – including support for 3,600 Minnesotans. I am going to stand in solidarity with our neighbors by participating in the Losing Sleep, Losing Homes Vigil (tinyurl.com/losing-sleep). Will you join me? It is a 12-hour vigil sponsored by The Basilica of St. Mary, Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, and Catholic Charities Twin Cities. The vigil is from Tuesday, November 25 at 7 pm to Wednesday, November 26 at 7 am. You can join the vigil in person or virtually using Zoom. I am planning to participate by___________________.
Sign up to take one or more one-hour shifts to stay awake, contact your member of Congress, and hold vigil. Those who are able are especially encouraged to come in person on Tuesday for the kickoff from 7-9 pm and/or Wednesday from 6-7 am as we close the vigil to help create a strong, visible presence.
Sample Facebook post
3,600 Minnesotans could lose their housing if a HUD decision is not reversed. Learn about the cuts to federal funding on Beacon’s website. And, take action with me! I am going to stand in solidarity with our neighbors by participating in the Losing Sleep, Losing Homes Vigil (tinyurl.com/losing-sleep). Will you join me? It is a 12-hour vigil sponsored by The Basilica of St. Mary, Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, and Catholic Charities Twin Cities. The vigil is from Tuesday, November 25 at 7 pm to Wednesday, November 26 at 7 am. You can join the vigil in person or virtually using Zoom. I am planning to participate by___________________.
Please join me and invite others to do so as well as we call on HUD to reverse its plan to cut supportive housing funding through changes to the Continuum of Care program. #losingsleep4homes
Tag Event Sponsors: Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative, The Basilica of St. Mary, and Catholic Charities Twin Cities.
