Real estate executives October 8 “Sleep Out” raises $360,000

New York, NY Over 100 top New York and Los Angeles real estate executives who slept out overnight on October 8 raised more than $360,000, topping the program’s goal, to benefit homeless youth. The events took place at Covenant House in Times Square and at Covenant House in Hollywood, CA.  Participants were part of an international movement that has raised more than $7 million for homeless youth in North America since 2011. The “Real Estate Executive Sleep Out,” organized by a committee of real estate professionals, along with Covenant House, was a simultaneous fundraising event in both cities to bring together those committed to spending one night on the streets to support programs for homeless youth. “We hosted the event in both New York and Los Angeles to raise money to help homeless youth and enable them to get off the street,” said Matt Schmeelk, senior executive vice president at Kensington Vanguard National Land Services, who is co-chair of the “Sleep Out” committee.  Co-chairs also include Arvind Chary, managing principal at Atlas Real Estate Partners and Daniel Rudin, vice president at Angelo Gordon & Co. “The money we raised was used to shelter, clothe, feed and prepare over 350 homeless youth for the real world,” said Schmeelk.  “It costs about $1,000 to get a kid off the street.  Last year 230 of them got through the Covenant House program and back on their feet.”  Schmeelk also serves on the board of Covenant House in New York City. “The evening was a great success.  We were so pleased to see the level of support from our industry.  Covenant House is the stepping stone that these kids need to take themselves from homelessness to holding jobs, paying rent and living a better life and this event helps the group to do that.” said Rudin. “Our goal was to do what we could to stand behind the mission of Covenant House – to provide shelter, safety and second chances for today’s youth – we are doing our part to help them live a life they never thought possible.  We are excited about continuing to grow the reach of this event in the years to come.” added Chary. The New York City “Sleep Out” took place Thursday, Oct. 8th at Covenant House at 460 West 41st Street, on the corner of 10th Avenue and West 41st Street.  The Los Angeles event on the same night was at Covenant House, 1325 North Western Avenue.  Mission Capital’s Director, Debt & Equity Finance Group, Gregg Applefield is the Los Angeles chair for the event. Sponsoring the event were media sponsor NY Post, and event sponsors Prism Capital Partners, Sills Cummis & Gross, Kensington Vanguard National Land Services, M&T Bank, Weingartz, Capital One, Corcoran Sunshine,  Duval & Stachenfeld LLP, Eastdil Secured, Bank of America, CBRE, Madison Capital, Marsh USA, Inc. Millennial Partners and Newmark Holdings.  The “Real Estate Executive Sleep Out” Committee includes executives from top real estate companies such as Blackstone Group, Kushner Companies, Cushman & Wakefield, Legacy Builders, Rialto Capital and Witkoff Group. Participants heard from Covenant House youth and participated in active discussions with the youth and the staff before heading to the street outside of the Covenant House facilities to sleep through the night.  They were encouraged to share social media content throughout the event. For those who want to donate to the cause: http://covhou.convio.net/site/TR?fr_id=1542&pg=entry