Most people in Northeast Florida have never faced the struggle of not having somewhere to sleep at night, but after this Friday some may have a slightly better understanding of what it is like. Family Promise of Jacksonville is hosting the fourth annual Cardboard City, a fundraising event that gives participants a brief glimpse into what life is like when you have no place to call home.
Mark Landschoot, Executive Director of Family Promise of Jacksonville and Randy Wyse with the Jacksonville Association of Firefighters joined Melissa Ross to discuss the Cardboard City event being held this Friday, November 21 from 4 p.m. until Saturday at 8 a.m.
Participants raise at least $100 in donations for Family Promise of Jacksonville by commiting to sleeping in the front lawn of CrossRoad Church UMC in cardboard boxes, tents or in their cars. Participants do not have to spend the entire night. They can come for just part of the program. According to Landschoot, "It's really a celebration of the families that we have come through our program."
This year there will be a new walk-through experience as part of the event called, "The Homeless Journey." Attendees will experience the stages that a family goes through during the spiral into homelessness and the how they eventually make it out.
There is still time to sign up, but participants are encouraged to register in advance. To register, call 904-854-1818 or email bethmixon@familypromisejax.org.
You can follow Melissa Ross on Twitter @MelissainJax.
