Shack-A-Thon
By: Savannah Boersma
BSN 15-Month Program
Class of October 2016
On October 21st, six Bellin College students from the STAT (Student Trips and Transformations) program set up a cardboard shack outside of Festival Foods on West Mason Street. The goal was to raise awareness about homelessness in our community, as it is a real issue that is often overlooked. We were able to draw the attention of those shopping and received both food and monetary donations for the House of Hope. More importantly though, we were able to educate the community on what homelessness means, and what one can do to help.
I always find service to be humbling, and this was nothing short of that. As we sat outside the shack, we talked to community members and found so many varying opinions on homelessness. One lady we talked to said, “I have never been homeless, but the possibility of it is so real. I am always one pay check away from loosing my home. I have worked all my life, and here I am”. Unfortunately, this is the reality for more people than we could ever imagine. They aren’t your “stereotypical” homeless person – anyone is at risk of homelessness, not just those who some label lazy or unemployable. One man we talked to had actually been homeless at one point, asking us if we were okay because he knew what it was like. When we explained to him our project, he thanked us for showing the community that this is a real problem. Another man we talked to stated that, “all homeless people get disability and therefore are no longer homeless if they spend it wisely”. This was our first stereotype we really ran into, and although it was hard to react positively, we educated the man and he walked away with a little bit of a different attitude. This example just solidifies why education is so very important, if we want to change homelessness.
After midnight, we decided to crawl into our box and try to get some sleep. The temperature had dropped to about 33 degrees and our toes and noses were frozen. The phrase, “sleep with one eye open” has never been more real to me. I knew we were safe as we were right next to the store entrance, with a security camera pointed at us, but that didn’t mean I slept with ease. Every little noise you hear, you jump. I don’t know that you are ever fully asleep to be honest, because your guard is so high. I am sure after a couple nights of being on the streets, you reach a point of exhaustion in which you can no longer fight it, but it was difficult. How does one try to get a job and change the fact that they are homeless if you barely get any sleep? How can a child be expected to do well in school on such little sleep? The truth of it is, we all know how well we perform on little to no sleep, and it is definitely not our best.
When we woke up in the morning, we all took some time to reflect on our night. Sleeping outside in the cold definitely makes you thankful for the little things such as, dry socks, a warm coat, a warm shower, and a roof over your head. It also makes you thankful for the ability to take part in changing homelessness. What can you do, you ask? You can: understand who the homeless are; eliminate stereotypes about homelessness; educate yourself; educate others; be respectful; respond with kindness; donate food; donate clothing; volunteer at a homeless shelter or food kitchen. People are often overwhelmed believing the problem is too big for them to help solve, but the littlest things make a big impact.
Find something you’re passionate about and pursue it; be an advocate. Help find the permanent solutions, rather than the easy fixes. Be part of the change that this world so desperately needs.
