Local News

Photos: Night In A Car Sheds Light On Homelessness In B-N

WGLT | By Amy Niebur

Published February 3, 2019 at 2:28 PM CST

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Illinois State University staffers, from left, Dave Bentlin, Christa Lawhun, and Narry Kim planned to sleep in the car behind them for the Home Sweet Home Ministries’ Night In A Car.";

Amy Niebur / WGLT

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State Rep. Dan Brady and Heartland Community College President Keith Cornille participated in the community dinner at Home Sweet Home Ministries’ Night In A Car. ";

Amy Niebur / WGLT

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Jenny and Kayden Bursell begin to bundle up for their night sleeping in a car. This is their second year participating in Home Sweet Home Ministries’ Night In A Car.";

Amy Niebur / WGLT

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Project Oz’s Runaway and Homeless Youth Program Manager, Cheris Larson, discusses a success story about a young man the program has helped. ";

Amy Niebur / WGLT

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Participants gather for the community dinner at Home Sweet Home Ministries’ Night In A Car. ";

Amy Niebur / WGLT

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Marketing Manager for Connect Transit, Jeff Holtke, planned to sleep on this bus for the Home Sweet Home Ministries’ Night In A Car.";

Amy Niebur / WGLT

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An informational table about Home Sweet Home Ministries could be found at the Community Dinner.

Amy Niebur / WGLT

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Home Sweet Home Ministries CEO Mary Ann Pullin addresses the participants during the community dinner

Amy Niebur / WGLT

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Home Sweet Home Ministries COO Matt Burgess leads the panel discussion on homelessness during the community dinner.

Amy Niebur / WGLT

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Home Sweet Home Ministries Director of Client Services Melissa Newbill discusses state and local statistics in regards to homelessness.

Amy Niebur / WGLT

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Home Sweet Home Ministries’ third annual Night In A Car fundraiser was held at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington. Around 150 people participated by sleeping in their vehicles overnight. ";

Amy Niebur / WGLT

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Participants arrive at Home Sweet Home Ministries’ Night In A Car fundraiser at Trinity Lutheran Church in Bloomington. ";

Amy Niebur / WGLT

Around 150 people participated in third annual Night In A Car fundraiser, which sheds light on the hidden aspect of homelessness that many in our community experience: living in their cars.

The event on Friday and Saturday raised money for Home Sweet Home Ministries, which provides a shelter, food, and a variety of programs and services to those in need.

After Friday night's community dinner at Trinity Lutheran Church, the participants bundled up and spent the night in their cars. They emerged Saturday morning for breakfast and fellowship before heading home.

See photos from the 2019 Night In A Car in the gallery above.

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