Sleeping on the street to support homeless youth

Richmond surgeon Robyn Watts doesn’t relish the thought of spending another overnight in a Vancouver alley. She’s doing it because she hopes others would do the same for her children should ever one of them find themselves on the street.

Watts was a first-time participant in the 2016 Covenant House Mothers Sleep Out. It made such an impression on her that she’s taking part again, on the night of May 4.

“Last year we were given a piece of cardboard and taken to the back alley,” recalls Watts. “I was with other mothers, but there isn’t a lot of small talk. People are emotional about this topic, and from that comes a sense of closeness. I mean, these are people’s babies on the street…and we all have babies.”

Covenant House exists for those young people for whom there is often no one else; young people aged 16 – 25 who have fled physical, emotional and/or sexual abuse, those who have been forced from their homes or those who have aged out of foster care.

The Sleep Out: Mothers Edition is not about pretending to be homeless. Instead, it’s about showing a group of young people that they are worthy of unconditional love and absolute respect, and proving that there are enough people out there who care about them to be uncomfortable for one night; to be vulnerable so they can be safe.

You can view Dr. Robyn Watts’ fundraising page here.