Submitted by Earl Baldwin, Jr., Lake Region Conference Youth Director
Global Youth Day 2025 was nothing short of inspiring as young people came together from various areas of the Lake Region Conference to ACT – A Community Transformed. This year, our mission extended beyond words, leading to action that made a real difference in the lives of others. As we became the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need.
One of the most powerful moments of the weekend was the Sleep Out for Youth event on Friday March 14th, where over 100 participants throughout the conference sacrificed their beds to raise awareness for youth homelessness. Over 40 people slept outside in the Parking lot of the Straford SDA church in downtown Chicago some coming all the way from Inkers MI the Nighthawks. Through this collective effort, we successfully raised $10,000 for Covenant House, an organization dedicated to providing shelter and support for homeless youth. The experience was eye-opening, serving as a reminder of the struggles many young people face every night.
On March 15th, our movement continued with over 15 service projects happening throughout the conference. At our main site in Chicago, Led by our Chicagoland Federation. Volunteers distributed 200 care packages to those in need and served at various locations, including Habitat for Humanity, Olive Branch Mission and the Covenant House. The impact was felt across the Chicagoland area and beyond, proving that when we ACT together, transformation happens. We concluded with a wrap up session that highlighted over 300 images provided through the POV App that captured the various initiatives from everyone’s perspective and created a massive Slide show.
Global Youth Day 2025 was a testament to what can be accomplished when compassion turns into action. We are more than just a community—we are a force for change!
To see the slideshow and to continue to donate to the covenant house please visit our website www.lrcyouth.com
#GlobalYouthDay #ACT #ACommunityTransformed #SleepOut4Youth #endyouthhomelessness
Fast Facts!
- Two hundred care packages were distributed around Chicago.
- Five sleepout locations, which included the parking lots of Chicago’s Straford Church and Evanston church, the community center of Highland church in Benton Harbor, inside South Bend’s Praise Fellowship church, and outside an Inkster school near Detroit.
- Participants went to Habitat for Humanities to sort donations and assemble furniture.
