On Friday, November 14, 50 MOVE and WISE students joined 70 other
college students to participate in Journey Home’s Cardboard City Sleep Out
at the University of Hartford to brace the frigid cold temperatures and raise
awareness for homelessness.
This was the first event in the National Hunger and
Homelessness Awareness week.
Journey Home, a local non-profit focused on ending chronic homelessness
in Hartford, organized the annual event. The students took part in a number of
activities throughout the night. They watched a documentary about homelessness
in Hartford, listened to stories from current and former homeless people,
participated in the food stamps challenge, engaged in a candle light vigil
honoring homeless people who have been victims of violence, and led a privilege
walk.
“[The students] were very engaged. It’s obvious they were really
listening because they asked very deep questions that got to the heart of what
it means to be homeless. It was apparent they were trying to understand the
plight these people have experienced,” said Journey Home Deputy Director,
Amanda Girardin.
The students gained awareness and knowledge about homelessness not
only in Hartford, but nationwide and what they can do as college students to
help end homelessness.
Check out some videos of the event:
Read Hartford Courant article:
