‘One Night’ to bring homelessness to downtown Auburn

AUBURN – A fundraising event is slated to take place in downtown Auburn, but this event will be without the normal fanfare of dinners and silent auctions. Hearten House, a local non-profit organization, is hosting its upcoming event, "One Night,” to highlight homelessness in the DeKalb County area.

“One Night” takes place Friday, Oct. 18th at The James Cultural Plaza located at 208 W. Seventh Street in downtown Auburn.

“It’s easy to think that homelessness isn’t an issue in our area,” said Executive Director Marisa McKenzie. “Just because we don’t see people sleeping on the streets doesn’t mean homelessness doesn’t exist here. We find that a lot of people couch surf, sleep in vehicles, or land in other temporary spots. No matter what it looks like, it’s homelessness and something we want to curb in our community.”

McKenzie witnesses the need firsthand in her day-to-day work at Hearten House. The women this nonprofit organization serves are facing homelessness, addiction, trauma and abuse, as well as other hardships.

“’One Night’ is an exceptional evening that is a beacon of hope, inspiration, and unity, while bringing the community together for this cause,” said McKenzie. “We are dedicated to providing support and empowerment for women each and every day. This event expands our outreach for one night.”

At “One Night,” participants will set up tents, boxes or whatever else they choose to use for their “home” for the night. The evening will feature worship music, food, and testimonies from Hearten House graduates, volunteers and staff members.

“We’ll create memories and build connections as one night becomes a forever imprint on our hearts and minds,” said McKenzie. “By attending ‘One Night,’ you become an integral part of our mission to make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.”

The event is a fundraiser as well as an awareness campaign. Funds are raised through individuals, companies and organizations sponsoring participants who plan to stay the night. Last year the event garnered more than $33,000 and this year the goal is to exceed that amount.

“We invite folks to register to stay the night with us and raise sponsorships for their stay, or people can simply give to sponsor someone who is choosing to stay outside for the night. Either way it helps the cause,” McKenzie said. “We want people to be part of this unforgettable evening. Even if you are not spending the night, we encourage you to come out and visit us on the plaza. Together, we can create a brighter future of inspiration, unity, and hope for those facing adversity.”

Those wanting to register to stay the night or wanting to sponsor a participant can do so online at www.heartenhouse.org/one-night.