A participant in a recent United We Sleep event checks her phone after climbing into the box that served as her bedroom for the night. This year's event, Nov. 12-13, returns to Nashua Community College. (Telegraph file photo)

NASHUA – Aimed at reducing, and ultimately eradicating, homelessness in Greater Nashua, especially among young folks from middle school to college age, the annual “United We Sleep” is returning to the grounds of Nashua Community College this coming Friday and Saturday.

A program of the United Way of Greater Nashua, “United We Sleep” raises funds to combat not only homelessness but hunger as well, and until last year was held in mid-September at the college.

To sign up to participate and to raise funds, and for more information, contact the United Way at 882-4011 or info@unitedwaynashua.org; or go to www.unitedwaynashua.org, see “events” tab and scroll down to “United We Sleep.”

Last year, the COVID-19 pandemic forced the event to go “virtual,” with participants camping out overnight in their own yards rather than gathering at the college.

Still, even with fewer than normal participants, the event raised roughly $45,000, not too far off from its typical goal of $60,000-$70,000.

“It actually went great,” United Way president Mike Apfelberg said of the pandemic-affected sleepout.

This year’s event features another kind of departure from previous years: It is taking place in mid-November rather than mid-September.

The reason behind the later timeframe is two-fold: One, organizers hope to attract more youth participants, who are usually busy with back-to-school adjustments in September; and two, to reflect the reality that homeless people in the community don’t get to choose the weather.

Apfelberg said he’s been keeping an eye on the extended weather forecasts, which indicate the region will experience pretty seasonable temperatures – 40-45 degrees on average – for mid-November.

Thirty-something people have signed up so far, Apfelberg said, but historically that number at least doubles by the time the event rolls around.

“It seems a lot of people wait until the week of (the event) to register,” he said.

As it has the last couple of years, the focus again this year is on youth homelessness, Apfelberg said. Funds raised in recent years have helped create a youth homelessness scholarship fund, which provides assistance to school-age youth experiencing homelessness and other issues.

The latest statistics, according to the United Way, show that “at least 300 kids in the Nashua School District are homeless.”

According to the agency’s website, holding United We Sleep in November “allows us to get the heartiest of people involved – our youth and student groups.

“Our goal this year is to dramatically expand the reach and impact of United We Sleep, which is an event that helps us to make a statement and increase awareness about the serous nature of homelessness in our community.”

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.