I have never really thought about what it must be like to be homeless. Sure, like everyone when the cold weather comes around I think “Wow it would suck to have to stay out here”, but I, of course, am bundled up in my huge winter coat, warm boots and mittens, with a roof over my head while I think this. Being a poor university student when I see the people asking for money/food at Rideau I walk right past them, not thinking about getting them food or giving them money, just wishing I could get to my car/the bus faster to get home to my warm bed.
For 5 days, Business students across Canada are finding out what it’s like to be homeless to raise money for a local charity, while still having to go about their day to day activities such as classes, meetings, practices, and for the Dean of the Sprott School of Business at Carleton, work. Yep, for one day/night the Dean was homeless. The Business schools around Canada are spending 5 days homeless on their own campus. For 5 days they can’t shower, they have no income, their only food can be by donation from students/faculty, they have to sleep outside under a tent that they made, they can’t use any social networking sites, and they still have to go to their classes and such. The charities chosen by the students were Operation Come Home, and Rideau Street Youth Enterprises, both which cater to at risk and homeless youth in Ottawa.
I hadn’t heard about this fundraiser before last Monday morning when I walked past the tent and sign outside of the University Centre here at Carleton. I really wish I knew more about it now that I have seen it first hand. To do something like this would change the way I see the homeless people around Ottawa and London. They write in a blog (I don’t know how it works with the no networking sites…), as do the other students across Canada, so check it out! 5 days
Have you ever seen something like this, or had the opportunity to do something like this?
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I have heard about these but never participated. I can’t even imagine what it would be like. For instance, right now, it is pouring rain. I just can’t even grasp what it must be like.
I’ve heard about projects like these, but have never taken part. It might be an interesting thing to do, and would definitely be a learning experience!
.-= Lexi´s last blog ..jumping on the wedding train =-.
Yup, students at Mount Royal in Calgary have done this challenge in the past. Also years ago an agency in town did a version of this as a fundraiser. Teams of three, after taking pledges, were given anonymous profiles of the agency’s clients to consider during the 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. they were on the streets in downtown Calgary. There were a few guidelines (could not take a shelter bed, had to obey all City bylaws, etc) and you could have no more than $2. I participated for a few years and it forever changed my perspective on the realities and challenges of homelessness.
krys’s friend from student works was one of the homeless, the last one on the right in the picture
Doing 5 days in March in a tent such a bad example, try doing it for 5 days in January with only cardboard stolen from the restuarant across the way between you and the cement. No harrassment from cops either in this example, or risk of being ticketed.
Don’t get me wrong though I do support those agencies, mostly because they were my #1 go-to spot while being homeless. So. Eh. I’m neutral, I guess.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Yummmm =-.
Actually, I recant that. I am NOT neutral.
I support those agencies. I think there should be more funding across the board, permantly.
However, sending university kids to be outside for five days for them to “get a taste of what homeless people go through” is totally insulting for actual people who are or were homeless. Hearing of people doing that makes me REALLY angry. Honestly? At the end of the five days, you get to go home! You get to go home to have a shower, you get to go home to a fridge full of food, you were NEVER in danger of not having a roof over your head.
You don’t have to deal with cops, you don’t have to deal with the day after
day of freezing temperatures, the nights of being kicked out of parking garages, or the nights where its so cold you can’t even sleep, or the threat of violence from strangers and other street youth, the dirty looks and the ignorance from passerbys, or being SO EFFING HUNGRY all you need is 2$ for some food and you can’t get it. Add to that the average homeless person is homeless for a year, and even then its not a specified end date. The psychological factors aren’t even accounted for in the first scenario.
Bottom line is, really, if you haven’t been homeless, you have NO idea what its like. And to say you do because you spent a measly five days outside for a fundraising event doesn’t even come CLOSE.
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Yummmm =-.
I’ve had plenty of opportunities to do something like this, but have never actually done an overnight stay. A pastor at our church did this for 5 days in preparation for pastoring a church in the downtown core, and filmed his whole time. He has some pretty powerful stories.
Sarah, I respect your comments. From my perspective, these simulations intend to bring awareness to the issues, needs and dangers faced every day and night by those who are homeless and in no way try to authentically replicate the hardship and trails of homelessness. I believe an experience that provides even a slight bit of insight for future agency workers or socially aware citizens can only be a positive factor in helping both the individuals and agencies who deal with the realities of homelessness.
Jen -
I totally respect what you’re saying. I realize its not supposed to replicate, but sometimes I think its viewed that way and that is what makes me fustrated with the exercise. It’s a fine line, isn’t it?
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..Yummmm =-.