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Sleepless in Winnipeg

WINNIPEG, MB – The University of Winnipeg’s Vice President (Academic) Dr. John Corlett and UWinnipeg’s Diversity Executive Chef Ben Kramer, will be spending a night on the streets to help raise money and awareness to help end homelessness. They will be sleeping at the famous corner of Portage and Main in the Canwest Courtyard (201 Portage Avenue), on September 29, 2011 as part of the Downtown BIZ’s CEOs Sleepout event.

The event brings together leaders and mentors of community to lend their voice to important issues, including homelessness, poverty and employment and social issues that affect many people in Winnipeg’s downtown.

“UWinnipeg has made clear its commitment to using our experience and expertise to solve inner city challenges and homelessness is one of the challenges that matters in our immediate community,” said Corlett. “For me, it’s only one voluntarily night, but for many of our neighbours in the downtown, it is every night and not by choice.”

Also joining Corlett and Kramer is Lana Hastings, Vice-President Student Services with the University of Winnipeg Students’ Association giving UWinnipeg students a presence at this Sleepless in Winnipeg sleeopout event to help fight homelessness.

“Some people donate money to help out various causes, I prefer to donate time,” expressed Kramer. “I was honoured to be asked to participate. Working downtown I face issues of homelessness and poverty daily and this one of the many ways that I can help out.”

The goal is to raise $100K to kick off our Change for the Better campaign. For more information or to donate please visit http://www.changeforthebetter.org/