Two New Jersey cities are the first to participate in a nationwide event aimed at raising awareness and funds for homeless youth.

Some senior business leaders spent Thursday night on the streets of Newark as part of the “Sleep Out America” initiative. Others will do the same Friday night in Atlantic City.

Organizers said participants sleep outside to raise awareness and money for homeless and trafficked youth. 

In 18 cities across the United States and Canada, over 1,100 executives will sleep on the streets with the goal of raising awareness and over $6 million for homeless youth at Covenant House.

"I think it also gives us a sense of solidarity, a connectedness to those who are homeless and that's a really important message as we enter into Thanksgiving,” Covenant House Executive Director Jim White said.

Organizers said nearly $500,000 was raised just for the Newark “Sleep Out.”

For more information about the initiative, CLICK HERE.