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Video: Oakland Mom Sleeps On NYC Streets To Help Homeless Youngsters

OAKLAND, N.J.– Moved by the stories of homeless youngsters scuffling on the streets of New York, Dianna Ivanov of Oakland accepted Covenant House's "Sleep Out Challenge: Mother's Edition."

Watch this video.

Photo Credit: Dianna Ivanov
Dianna Ivanov of Oakland.

Dianna Ivanov of Oakland.

Photo Credit: Facebook

The mother of four will camp out with other moms Friday on West 41st Street in Manhattan – with a cardboard box and sleeping bag (WATCH the video above).

Convenant House "is not just giving them a bed for the night," said Ivanov, a foreclosure specialist and Realtor with Keller Williams Village Square. "They're really helping them rebuild their lives."

The goal is for each participant 22 or older to raise at least $2,000. 

The money will go toward serving the thousands of youngsters each year who turn to Covenant House for a hot meal, a roof and more -- including education, job searches and housing assistance.

The Sleep Out Movement calls on volunteers not to pretend to be homeless but to "show a group of kids unconditional love and absolute respect," said Brian O'Toole of Hillsdale, who participated in a November sleep out. 

"I can't do everything," Ivanov said, "but I can do this and help somebody – or a few somebodies." 

TO DONATE: Dianna's Sleep Out Page

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