Real estate executives participate in The "Real Estate Executive Sleep Out" October 9th

Over 100 top New York City real estate executives participated in "Sleep Out" in Times Square Oct. 9th to draw attention to the plight of homeless teens and help them find a way off the street. The "Real Estate Executive Sleep Out," organized by a committee of real estate professionals, along with Covenant House, was a first-time fundraising event here in New York that will bring together those committed to spending one night on the streets to support programs for homeless youth in New York. "We decided to form our own spin-off from national "Sleep Outs" held by Covenant House that represent other industries," said Matt Schmeelk, senior executive vice president at Kensington Vanguard National Land Services, who is the co-chairman of the "Sleep Out" Committee, along with Arvind Chary, managing principal at Atlas Real Estate Partners. Both Schmeelk and Chary approached their real estate colleagues in New York City to create the "Real Estate Sleep Out Committee" and got the ball rolling. Schmeelk, who is also on the board of Convenant House here in New York said the event raised over $220,000 and more is expected in the coming days and weeks. "We want to thank all who took part in this international movement that has raised more than $7 million dollars for homeless youth in North America since 2011," said Chary. "We wanted to do whatever we could to stand behind the mission of the Covenant House that provides shelter, safety and second chances for today's youth," added Schmeelk, The "Sleep Out" took place at Covenant House on Oct. 9th at 460 West 41st Street. Participants got a chance to meet and interact with young people helped by Covenant House before bedding down for the night outside in sleeping bags in the Covenant House's parking lot. The "Real Estate Executive Sleep Out" Committee includes executives from top real estate companies that include: Witkoff Group; RREEF Transactions; Lone Star Funds; Madison Development; Mission Capital; UBS Real Estate; Thor Equities; Cassidy Turley; Convene and TOWN. Those who participated in the "Sleep Out" represent companies that also include: Kensington Vanguard National Land Services, Witkoff Group, RREEF Transactions, Kushner Companies, Hines, Lone Star Funds, Related Companies, East End Capital Madison Development, CIM Group, Cassidy Turley, The Blackstone Group, DHA Capital, DelShah Capital, Synapse Capital, UBS Real Estate, Virgin Hotels, Angelo, Gordon & Co., Convene, Westbrook Partners, Thor Equities, DDG Beacon Capital Partners, World Class Capital, Northwood Investors, Mission Capital, Belvedere Capital, Forest City Ratner Companies, Colony Capital, Alto Investments, Marcus & Millichap, Rialto Capital, 60 Guilders, LLC, Bank of America, TOWN, Massey Knakal, Excelsior Equities and Taconic Investment Partners. Others are: Property Markets Group, Morgan Creek Capital Management, Walker & Dunlop, Spear Street Capital, Silverpeak Real Estate Partners, Sierra Real Estate, Brookfield Real Estate Financial Partners, Skyview Capital, Escape, Rackson, Hudson Advisors, Sumaida + Khurana, Vesper Holdings, Park 7 Group, Rockport Equity, Rockwood Capital, Marsh, Phasa Development, LLC, Ladder Capital, Rambleside Holdings, Vornado Realty Trust, Bisnow Media, Silverpeak Real Estate Finance, Eastdil Secured, Lee & Associates, The Square Foot, The Durst Organization, Investcorp International, Inc., Winter & Company Commercial Real Estate Finance, JMC Holdings, Kaplan Equities, DLG, Iron Hound Management, Paramount Group, Rialto Capital, Greenberg Traurig, Alpha Partners, Centaur Properties, Fir Tree Partners, Rockwood Capital, Hudson Advisors, Northeast Equity, Legacy Builders and Crown For those who want to donate to the cause: http://covhou.convio.net/site/TR?fr_id=1402&pg=entry