Hundreds in DuPage participate in Sleep Out Saturday

As a successful career woman, active volunteer and proud mother of two thriving sons, Belinda Bowden's days of homelessness are long gone.

But the memories still are sharp.

The uncomfortable nights spent in the car because there was nowhere else to go. The time a motel manager locked out Bowden and her boys because they owed money. The need to ask friends for temporary shelter.

Through the turmoil, splitting up the family "was never an option," Bowden said.

Hundreds of DuPage residents will forgo their comfortable beds tonight as part of Sleep Out Saturday.

The night is organized by Bridge Communities, a nonprofit Glen Ellyn-based group that helps families such as the Bowdens get back on their feet.

The annual event is aimed at educating the public about the plight of homeless people in the area and raising money for prevention. To that end, more than 1,200 people across the county will spend the night in tents or cars.

Bowden lost her home after caring for several family members who were extremely ill. Her parents and a sister died, and as medical bills piled up, Bowden herself became sick and was unable to keep her job.

The family lived a transitory life for months.

Bowden's worst memory was being locked out of the motel room containing all the family's belongings when she came up short on the bill.

"I would ask myself, 'How did I let this happen?'" she recalled.

Through those dark times, Bowden said, "I never gave up my faith in God."

She learned about Bridge Communities during a visit to the dentist when she was explaining why she couldn't pay for health care.

Bridge partners with local churches to provide housing assistance and mentoring to qualifying clients.

Bowden bonded with her counselors and embarked on a new life. She furthered her education and works as a customer service representative for Allstate.

With help from Community Congregational Church in Villa Park, Bowden now lives in a three-bedroom house.

Her oldest son is studying architecture at a university and her youngest boy is a high school junior.

She sits on the Bridge Communities board of directors and is an advocate for its mission.

"There are people out there that need a second chance," Bowden said.

Despite the county's reputation as affluent, Public Access to Deliver Shelter, DuPage's emergency housing service served 1,192 people in the 2005-06 season.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 44,494 people living in DuPage were below the poverty line in 2006. The poverty line is defined as a person earning $10,210 or a household of four with an income of $20,650.

The average rent for a two-bedroom apartment in the county is $900.

That type of expense was prohibitive for Laura Sapyta.

The Glendale Heights native and single mother found herself with nowhere to turn when she and her former boyfriend had a falling out.

She wanted to leave their home, but her retail job didn't pay enough to strike out on her own.

"I didn't know where my son and I were going to go. It was very scary," she said.

Bridge Communities assisted Sapyta and her son Joey, who is 7, with job training and rent.

Now she does administrative work at a physical therapist's office.

"I'm a completely different person now. I manage my checkbook. I'm planning to buy a condo.

"I hope to help someone like me," she said.

Volunteers participating in Sleep Out Saturday include youth groups and schools.

This is the first year that students in all grade levels at Driscoll Catholic High School in Addison will participate.

Campus Minister Laraine Parker said the students traditionally are involved in another project, where they bring sandwiches to homeless people in Chicago, but she wanted to bring the experience closer to home.

"Their comfort zone is going to be a little challenged," Parker said. "I think when you experience it, it puts a whole different perspective on the problem."