Dear people I don't mind asking for money,

I know most of you have never seen me wear anything but shorts. However, on December 7th I may have to don long pants as I will be spending the night outside in downtown Petaluma with only a sleeping bag and a tarp as a demonstration to homeless youth that we can’t stay inside for one more night while so many remain outside.

At least 68 youth are homeless in Petaluma right now. Young people experiencing homelessness in Petaluma face unique geographical challenges when it comes to accessing services. Many young people are currently residing in the outskirts of town often in hard-to-access sections near the railroad tracks. This is not only a safety concern for the young people living in encampments, but also makes it dangerous and difficult for our staff to find them and offer services.

Social Advocates for Youth helps those youth by providing housing, counseling, and career services to Sonoma County youth to build resiliency and self-sufficiency.

In Petaluma, SAY’s Street Outreach Team spends one day a week connecting with young people experiencing homelessness or at-risk, as well as partnering closely with the Petaluma Police Department to provide supports in the fight against human trafficking.

With your support, we can make a meaningful impact on our community and affect real change at a local level. Please help me reach my goal to #endyouthhomelessness by making a donation to my One Cold Night campaign. You can donate via my personal fundraising page linked below, clicking the "Donate" button above, or you can mail a check directly to me.

For the kids,

Ted Patchet
#OneColdNight2018