WHAT IS NOT MY ROOF?
Not My Roof is a unique special event designed to encourage awareness, empathy, and understanding for the immeasurable odds that young people face overcoming homelessness. On Friday, December 3rd, Not My Roof participants will give up the comforts of home to sleep unsheltered to gain a glimpse of what homelessness is like. Not My Roof is not about pretending to be homeless.  On this one evening, Not My Roof participants help will spread awareness about the youth homelessness crisis and raise urgently needed funds for Safe Harbor Center, providing food, shelter, crisis care, and essential services to young adults experiencing homelessness.  Not My Roof sends a powerful message to runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth that we stand with you in your struggles, celebrate your courage and resiliency, and support your promise and dreams.
WHY NOT MY ROOF?
Each year, more than 4.2 million youth face homelessness. They are the nation’s invisible homeless population, unsheltered — sleeping outdoors, in parks, on the street, in vehicles, abandoned buildings, under bridges, and other places not meant for human habitation.  The longer young individuals remain homeless, the greater the risk that they will be trapped on the streets where they are vulnerable to crime, illness, mental health issues and dying prematurely.
We believe that no young person deserves to be homeless, that every young person deserves shelter, food, clothing, education…and most importantly to be loved. We believe it is our responsibility as a community to ensure that every young person has an opportunity to achieve their dreams.
HOW WILL FUNDS RAISED BE UTILIZED?
The funds raised through Not My Roof will support 4 key programs of Safe Harbor Center that serve the needs of homeless youth.  They include:
  • ZACH’S PLACE: Zach’s Place is an emergency shelter providing for the immediate needs of homeless and runaway children and youth up to age 18 in Glynn County, Georgia. At Zach’s Place, children and youth receive safe, temporary housing, food, clothing, medical care, counseling, and the encouragement to fulfill their potential and successfully contribute to society. Read More
  • STREET BEAT: Street Beat, addresses the needs of runaway, homeless and street youth and their families by providing services that promote safety, well-being, self-sufficiency and permanent connections with caring adults. Street Beat not only helps youth leave the streets, but also assists them in moving and adjusting to a safe and appropriate living arrangement.  Read More
  • STRIVE TRANSITIONAL LIVING SERVICES: Safe Harbor’s STRIVE Transitional Living Services makes available the needed supports for youth who are most at-risk to experience violence, trafficking, unemployment, homelessness, incomplete education, drug addiction, pregnancy, and poverty. Services are designed to help young people make a successful transition to self-sufficient living while providing a safe living environment.  Read More
  • SAFE PLACE:  Safe Place provides access to immediate help and supportive services for youth in need of accessing safety as a result of homelessness, abuse and neglect, bullying, and suicidal thoughts,. As a community initiative, the program designates schools, fire stations, libraries, and other youth-friendly organizations as Safe Place locations, creating a safety net for youth throughout Coastal Georgia.  Read More
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Not My Roof is open to individuals, families, friends, schools, places of worship, and workplaces to come together to be part of the solution to end youth homelessness. Participants do more than sleep uncomfortably for one night. On this one evening, Not My Roof participants help spread awareness about the youth homelessness crisis and raise urgently-needed funds for Safe Harbor Center, providing food, shelter, crisis care, and essential services to young adults experiencing homelessness.
CAN I PARTICIPATE AS PART OF A TEAM?
Teams, much like individual participants, are a vital component of Not My Roof. A team is a group of friends, family members, co-workers, students, and organization members, that pre-register, raise money, and sleep out together.   Participating as a team is fun, and serves to engage with each other in a purposeful way, forging new and deeper connections, and contributing to a culture of caring for our community.
WHERE DOES NOT MY ROOF TAKE PLACE?
Not My Roof will take place on Friday, December 3, 2021 on the campus of College of Coastal Georgia, located at 1 College Dr, Brunswick, GA 31520.
WILL I BE SAFE?
Safety is our first and foremost concern for Not My Roof participants. In collaboration with campus security and local law enforcement we will take all necessary precautions  to ensure all participants are safe at the Not My Roof experience. The in-person portion of Not My Roof will be held outdoors, with access to clean, indoor bathrooms.  Participants will be asked to take a temperature, wear masks, and distance themselves from each other; handwashing stations will also be accessible.  While outdoors, you will also be asked to respect social distancing guidelines and/or wear a mask when interacting with other participants.
WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE FOR NOT MY ROOF?
6:30 PM – Registration
7:30 PM – Opening Remarks, Testimonials, and Keynote Address
8:30 PM – Depart for “Homeless Encampment”
9:30 PM – Bed Set Up
10:00 PM – Small Group Discussions
10:30 PM – Sleep Unsheltered
6:00 AM – Breakfast and Reflections
CAN I PARTICPATE VIRTUALLY?
Yes, although there is nothing like the sense of camaraderie and solidarity one will experience participating with hundreds of others at our two Not My Roof experiences, virtual participation is available.   Virtual participation means you choose where, when, and how you sleep out. Whether your backyard, front porch, or kitchen floor, we are asking you to give up your bed for an uncomfortable night of sleep, whatever that means to you.  As a virtual participant, you will have access to your own personal fundraising webpage and toolkit to ensure an impactful virtual experience.
DOES EACH PARTICPANT NEED TO FUNDRAISE?
Although awareness of youth homelessness is important, it isn’t a solution. Fundraising is an immediate, powerful way to ensure that young people facing homelessness receive the care they deserve.
We ask Not My Roof participants to raise critical funds that allow Safe Harbor Center to offer safety, shelter, and support to children and youth 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  By fundraising, Not My Roof participants become part of the solution for youth facing homelessness.
HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO RAISE?
Although there is no minimum to raise, we ask that each participant do their best to raise as much as they can.  Each dollar raised will go toward supporting efforts to provide shelter and support for homeless youth. We recommend setting a fundraising goal of raising $250-500 per individual or $2,500 – $5,000 per team.  Once registered, Safe Harbor will provide each participant his or her own personal fundraising webpage and all the tools & resources needed to reach your goal.
HOW DO I FUNDRAISE?
Fundraising for Not My Roof is designed to be easy. And by making a small self-donation at the time you register, you will already be on your way! Once you complete registration, you will have access to an online fundraising page where friends, family, and co-workers can donate to support your fundraising efforts. You will also receive a suite of tools ranging from pre-written email and social media donation requests to flyers and posters. Most participants will fundraise by posting a short note and link to their online fundraising page on Facebook or Instagram (there’s even an option to connect a Facebook fundraiser to your page) and by sending out emails to friends and family.

For additional information, please contact Keith Fenton at 912-267-6000