(WXYZ) — In tonight's 7 UpFront segment we're taking a look at a very important topic impacting far too many youths in Michigan.
An estimated 17,000 teens are in need of shelter and food on any given night.
We're being joined by the Executive Director of Covenant House Michigan Gery Piro and Beaumont Health Business Manager Kristia Le to talk about it, as well as the Sleep Out going on tonight to raise awareness.
You can see the full interview in the video player above.
"It is a fundraising event and we have a goal of about $25,000 at this point," Piro says. "But more important of a goal than the funding, it's that we are in solidarity with these young people who are out there every night, sleeping out in very dangerous situations and so this is to make a point with people and to encourage them to go along with us on this and understand that we have these young people that we are responsible for. They have gone through very difficult times, broken families, and when they come to Covenant House, we basically started all over again and we're trying to give them all of the opportunity and encouragement to turn their life around. So, tonight it is really us saying 'we are with you, we are with you solidly, and we will always be with you to work with you and help you.'."
