MCLA Students Raise Awareness of Homelessness
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| John Delsordo of Richmond shows off his cardboard shelter. |
A dozen or so planned to spend the night in the middle of the Quad at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts to get a taste of what it's like to have nothing.
The idea is to raise awareness of the plight of the homeless, said Keifer Gammell, president of the class of 2011, who was organizing the event through the college's Center for Service. "This is the first night of several events this week. The students who do this will talk about their experience with a speaker on housing issues [Tuesday]."
As the temperatures dropped below freezing, they heated up a pot of chicken soup donated by the Aramark, the college's dining service, in large tins on the barbecue. The Center for Service donated hot chocolate.
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"We just wanted to help out," said Widrick. "I'v done one before in upstate New York. It was was a lot colder than this, but it's definitely a learning experience."
"I just want to do the experience because I thought it would be a good experience," said Springer.
Pittsfield native Madeline Howe was duct taping two appliance boxes together to create snug home for the night. The sophomore had moved from the area years ago but jumped at the chance to come back to the Berkshires to go to college.
I think it's really important to raise people's awareness to the fact that we don't all have a warm bed to go to at night," she said. "I think we take a lot of things for granted, especially people my age."
She didn't think her generation was cognizant of the difficulties past generations had faced, such as the Great Depression. "We may be facing that now. We're going into a recession," she continued. "I think we've grown up in a very pleasureable lifestyle and I think we take for granted food and a warm bad.
The students will share their experience tonight at 7 in Murdock Hall 218 along with an advocate for the homeless. On Wednesday, a group of students will help at the Berkshire Food Project at 1st Congregational Church and a concert at 9 that evening in Sullivan Lounge will benefit the project. A can collection will be held Friday and students will write letters to congressmen in the Centennial Room.
Gammell said the letters will be given to college President Mary Grant, who will present them to a local lawmaker.
Junior John Delsordo of Richmond speculated that many might find cases of homelessness in their own families if they looked back. "That's just sad to think about."
Participating in the event was a way of seeing other's way of life, he said. "You take things for granted every day, even sleeping."
"Just taking a step in other people's shoes just flips you around."
