As the temperature outside drops, thermostat temperatures inside are being turned up. Imagine not having any heat at all though. Imagine not even having a roof over your head.
For many people, this is a reality. An estimated 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness every year. Because, homelessness is so prevalent and apart of the norm, it is often overlooked and not acknowledged.
As National Homeless and Hunger Awareness Week is being observed, the Baccalaureate Student Social Work Association is proactively participating in creating awareness both on N.C . State’s campus and in the community.
Students in BSSWA wanted not only to raise awareness, but also gain first hand experience to help them work better within their field.
“As a social work major, it’s important to understand the homeless client population and their struggles to effectively serve them as a social worker,” Amir Hunter, senior in social work, said.
This year marks BSSWA’s first time participating in National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. In promoting awareness for this national endeavor to end hunger and homelessness, BSSWA hosted programs each night for students to attend.
Monday’s movie night was a viewing of The Soloist, a story about a musically gifted homeless man, who is discovered by a journalist who tries to help him get his life back on track.
Tuesday’s event was an educational forum with one of N.C . State’s own instructors from the department of social work Susie Barnes as the speaker.
On Wednesday, a “Stone Soup Dinner” was hosted at White Memorial Presbyterian Church.
BSSWA’s biggest event was “A Night without a Home”. The event created a simulation of homelessness for students to spend the night sleeping in a cardboard box.
Around 7 p.m . students showed up layered in coats, hats, gloves, and scarves to set up their cardboard abode for the night.
“A Night without a Home,” is intended to give students a sense of the life and difficulties homeless people experience everyday.
“Although a single night outside can in no way simulate homelessness, we hope to promote advocacy, protest, and education,” Tiffany Thompson, junior in social work and president of BSSWA , said.
During “A Night without a Home” students engaged in casual conversation and heard personal stories from representatives from local shelters. The speakers represented The Healing Place, a men’s homeless shelter for recovering addicts, and The Helen Wright Center, a women’s homeless shelter.
“It’s an eye opener to realize there are people out here in far worse situations and we are very fortunate,” Sha’michel Lilly, freshman in social work, said. “Being out in the cold is definitely and experience.”
Despite the freezing below 40-degree temperature, the “A Night without a Home” participants did their best to stay warm and tough it out.
“We wanted to raise awareness and make people understand all the resources we have at our fingertips and those who don’t”, Loren Bahouth , junior in social work, said.
BSSWA , along with thousands of other groups and organizations, host events similar to “A Night without a Home” each year. All across the country, advocates participate in National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week to help get communities involved.
The National Coalition for the Homeless, co-sponsors of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, has created a guide that is available online, of different ideas and activities for communities to plan to help raise awareness and support.
Although National Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week is only once a year, BSSWA will continue to serve and help raise awareness for the homeless and hungry population.
