Couch Surfing Raises Awareness of Homeless Youth

OSWEGO, NY – Hundreds of young people throughout Oswego County are in need of safe, stable, permanent housing.

You may not see them on the street because many spend their evenings “couch surfing,” drifting from friends and extended family members housing spend however many nights they can, wherever they can.

To raise awareness of homeless in youth in our communities Oswego County Opportunities Homeless Services recently hosted “couch surfing” demonstrations in Oswego and Fulton.

Community volunteers joined OCO staff to share their concern for homeless youth and experience the feeling of not having a permanent place to spend the night.

“We received interesting responses from passersby,” said Toni Ross, manager of OCO’s Health Education Collaboration. “People were curious.  They were interested in what was going on and why we were doing it. Some even joined us to stay on the couch for a while or hold signs that read Save Our Shelter.”

Save Our Shelter is the theme for OCO’s upcoming S.O.S. Bowl-A-Fun.

The bowling tournament serves as a fundraiser for OCO’s Runaway and Homeless Youth Shelter that recently lost its federal funding.

All proceeds from OCO’s Save Our Shelter Bowl-A-Fun will be used to continue shelter operations until additional funding can be found.

OCO’s Save Our Shelter Bowl-A-Fun will be held April 29 at Lakeview Lanes, 723 West Broadway in Fulton beginning at noon.

Team registration is now open and those interested may do so online at www.oco.org.

OCO is a private, non-profit agency that has been supporting communities throughout Oswego County since 1966.

A member agency of the United Way of Greater Oswego County, OCO provides more than 50 vital services throughout 100 separate locations.

For more information, visit www.oco.org.

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