Marin Event Raises $135K To Fight Homelessness

SAN RAFAEL, CA — A San Rafael benefit event held last week has raised over $135,000 to fight homelessness, and the contributions are still coming in.

Ritter Center on May 21 held "Under the Stars: A Sleepout to End Homelessness in Marin," asking residents to sleep on a floor in their home, decks or porches or camping out in their backyards for just one night.

The live streamed event featured the heartbreaking yet hopeful story of Sandi, a Ritter Center client for 17 years.

It also featured conversations with guest speakers Dr. Sam Tsemberis, Founder of Pathways to Housing, Marin County District 1 Supervisor Damon Connolly, San Rafael Mayor Kate Colin and San Rafael District 2 Councilmember Eli Hill, among others.

"Our audience heard an amazing bedtime about a family living in two shelters read by Rashida Skaar, Children's Librarian of Marin County Free Library, and capped the night off with a meditative sound bath with Metta Yoga," the Ritter Center said in a statement.

To learn more about the complex issues surrounding homelessness, watch this video.

To donate to fight homelessness in Marin, visit here.