Business leaders and volunteers are swapping a night in bed for a night on the street to raise awareness of youth homelessness.

HOUSTON — After Houston Mayor John Whitmire laid out his plan Thursday to reduce homelessness in the city, another organization is also raising awareness about the issue.

For 13 years, Covenant House has hosted an event in which volunteers and business leaders trade a night in their beds at home for a night on the street to raise awareness of homelessness among young people. The event is also a fundraiser for the organization.

Hundreds of people walked the streets of downtown Houston holding candles, hoping to shed light on the issue.

“We are reaching out specifically to young people ages 18-24 who are struggling with homelessness,” said Felicia Broussard, chief development officer at Covenant House. “You saw the community come together in solidarity and show their support for the young people we know are promising.”

Broussard was surrounded by executives from major corporations such as Starbucks and Phillips 66, where chief economist Sean Maher’s team raised $90,000, all to help Covenant House reach its $1 million fundraising goal.

“Homeless youth have to do this 365 days a year, rain or shine, and this is the most tangible way to try to raise awareness and empathy for what they’re going through,” Maher said.

Maher gave up his bed in favor of a spot on the cold ground outside the Ion building. Before that, he and his team loaded food into vans to distribute to homeless people on the street.

The efforts were effective. Jalen Berry Washington, 22, was homeless before Covenant House helped him get back on his feet.

“They provided a lot of resources, like jobs and living conditions,” Washington said.

Now he can provide for himself.

“I took my steps, you know, steps, you know, step by step, and now I’m back at it,” he said.

Sleep ends on Friday morning at 7 am. To learn more about Covenant House, click here.