The Box City Vigil is an annual all-night event put on by and for high school students. It started four years ago when a group of high schoolers realized what a significant and growing problem youth homelessness is in Minnesota.
So the Vigil began, simulating a night spent without a home in downtown St. Paul. The event is in its fifth year and hopes that each year is an even bigger success. The 4th annual Box City Vigil was held on April 18th from 7pm-7am on the Minnesota State Capital lawn. Over 220 high school students from Bloomington and around the metro area participated in this event to raise awareness for youth homelessness. The night was filled with informative speakers, a great music group called Sheltered 
Reality, and teens coming together for a cause. Participants built box shelters and stayed overnight to see what it would be like being homeless for one night. In spite of the cold and rainy weather, the event was a great success. This years’ event was organized and executed by Chelsey Jernberg, Liz Palin, Natalie Hazel, Molly Kalina, Dana Hanson, Michael Riebel, and Courtney Gallagher.
Check out the vigil website for more information: www.boxcityvigil.org
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