PHOENIX (June 23, 2026) — Homeless ID Project and St. Joseph the Worker (The Worker), alongside a coalition of local human services nonprofits, are coming together for the 2nd Annual Sleep Out on Wednesday, July 29, for an evening dedicated to raising awareness and critical funding to address homelessness in Arizona.
Held under the theme, “Sleeping Out So Others Can Sleep In,” the event invites participants to spend one night outdoors in solidarity with the thousands of individuals and families experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity across Arizona. The Sleep Out aims to deepen community understanding of homelessness, inspire empathy and raise critical funds that help individuals move from crisis to stability through access to identification, employment and housing.
Leading the effort are Homeless ID Project and The Worker, two organizations dedicated to helping individuals overcome barriers to stability. Homeless ID Project helps individuals obtain identification and vital documents needed to access housing, employment, healthcare and other essential services, while The Worker connects individuals facing barriers to employment with workforce development resources, job opportunities and housing programs that support long-term stability and self-sufficiency.
“Homelessness is one of the most complex challenges facing our community, and solving it will take all of us working together,” said Rick Mitchell, executive director of Homeless ID Project and organizer of the event. “As homelessness continues to impact thousands of individuals and families across Arizona, now is the time for nonprofits, businesses, community leaders, and residents to unite around solutions. Real change happens when people have access to identification, employment, housing, and a supportive community. Together, we can help our neighbors move from crisis to stability and create pathways to lasting self-sufficiency.”
“Participating in last year’s Sleep Out gave our team a deeper understanding of the challenges many individuals face when they don’t have a safe place to sleep,” said Carrie Masters, CEO of The Worker. “Even one night outside brought awareness to the realities of the heat, noise and uncertainty that come with housing instability. The funds raised through this event help turn that awareness into action. This year, The Worker has set a fundraising goal of $50,000, we can provide 50 individuals with 90 days of stable housing while they participate in our workforce development, job readiness and life-skills training designed to help them achieve lasting stability and self-sufficiency.”
The Sleep Out will feature client stories, opportunities for community engagement, a livestream and multiple ways for supporters to get involved through sponsorships, fundraising and event participation.
This year’s event includes a $50,000 matching gift challenge, with $25,000 designated for The Worker and $25,000 designated for Homeless ID Project, doubling the impact of every dollar raised. Organizers aim to raise $100,000 to support programs and services that help individuals transition out of homelessness and poverty toward long-term stability.
Event Details
WHAT: 2nd Annual Sleep Out
WHEN: Wednesday, July 29, 2026
- 6:00 p.m. – Event kickoff at Culdesac Tempe
- 7:30 p.m. – Participants travel via Valley Metro light rail to the Sleep Out location in Phoenix, mirroring the transportation many community members rely on each day
- 8:00 p.m. – Sleep Out begins
- After 8:00 p.m. – Overnight livestream and broadcast coverage
WHERE: Culdesac Tempe, 2025 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe, AZ 85281 (in front of the Boring Mattress showroom). The Sleep Out location will be shared directly with participants.
THEME: Sleeping Out So Others Can Sleep In
BENEFITING: Homeless ID Project, St. Joseph the Worker, Circle the City, Central Arizona Shelter Services (CASS), Crossroads Inc. and other community partners
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: Nonprofit leaders, staff members and program participants
For more information, sponsorship opportunities or to register, visit https://secure.givelively.org/leaderboard/homeless-id-project/sleep-out-2026.
About Homeless ID Project
Homeless ID Project is a privately funded nonprofit whose mission is to empower homeless individuals and families to rebuild their lives by providing the critical first step of identification replacement services. The agency was founded in 1988 by Reverend Gerald Roseberry following a month of self‐imposed homelessness during which he discovered that many individuals experiencing homelessness wanting to get a job or find housing had no access to replacement documents that had been lost, stolen, or left behind. The agency now serves the community from two permanent locations and 12 shared space locations. More information is available at http://homelessidproject.org.
About The Worker
Founded in 1988, The Worker empowers individuals to overcome barriers to employment and achieve lasting self-sufficiency. Its daily mission is to provide one-on-one support and resources to help individuals secure quality jobs and stable housing, with a focus on connecting clients to local businesses that offer livable wages and growth opportunities. Central to this effort is The Worker’s Success Navigator, which guides clients through four key pillars: employment, workforce housing, life skills and the network of donors, businesses and volunteers that make it possible. This framework creates a clear path toward stability, independence and brighter futures. To learn more, visit https://www.theworkeraz.org.