By Alethia Kasben
Managing Editor
Posted: November 13, 2017 3:41 PM

Last Wednesday, in the lead up to homelessness awareness week, which is November 11th through the 19th, a handful of Legislators slept outside with only a sleeping bag and a cardboard box.

Rep. Tommy Brann (R-Wyoming) was one of them sleeping in the cold in an effort to raise awareness of the more than 66,000 in Michigan who have experienced homelessness in Michigan last year.

Rep. David LaGrand (D-Grand Rapids) also participated. He acknowledged that while the idea was to simulate what many experience regularly, it was very different. He said he knew it was only temporary and those sleeping outside had access to the bathrooms in Lansing City Hall.

“The best part, for me was just spending time thinking about and talking with some of the estimated 67,000 homeless people in Michigan, and the amazing saints who spend every day trying to help them,” Mr. LaGrand said in a Facebook post.

Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. (D-East Lansing) and Rep. Tom Cochran (D-Mason) also slept outside from 10 p.m. until 6 a.m. to raise awareness, along with other volunteers. Thursday morning, volunteers had breakfast at the City Rescue Mission in Lansing with guests of the shelter.

“To truly understand how devastating homelessness can be, I spent last night outside in a sleeping bag. It was a long, cold night,” Mr. Brann said in a statement. “Although homelessness has decreased by 9 percent in our state, 66,483 people were homeless last year in Michigan. After this experience, I have a new appreciation of homeless people for their strength, courage, and will for a better life. I will work to be a part of the solution in ending homelessness here in our state.”