Category | News

Students get first-hand experience of being homeless

Published on October 28, 2008 by Vanessa Knauf and Dominique Richmond

A sleep-out during KSU’s first Homeless Awareness Week, which ran
from Oct. 16 to Oct. 18, presented curious and caring students with a
rather unique opportunity: the chance to be homeless for a while in a
safe environment.

Although it was only a simulation, the sleep-out opened the eyes of many of the participants to the realities of being homeless.

Throughout the week, students, faculty and staff attended discussions on homelessness led by representatives of various community organizations such as Atlanta Red Shield Services and Young Adult Guidance Center, Inc. Student posters on homelessness and the works of in-transition artists were on display in the atrium of the Social Sciences Building.

Students began checking into the sleep-out Thursday evening, which was held on the green between the Social Sciences Building and the Campus Safety Office. Before entering the sleep-out, students had to pass a Breathalyzer test and a weapons check. Then they picked out a spot on the lawn where they would be spending the night, or at least a few hours.

“We’re not naïve,” Dr. Lana Wachniak, Associate Dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and organizer of HAW, told students before the sleep-out. “We know that the sleep-out is not real for you. It just gives you an idea of what it might be like to be homeless.”

Dr. Wachniak had hoped that 30 to 50 students would participate in the sleep-out and was thrilled when 110 students turned out Thursday night. In all, over 165 students participated at some point during the simulation, braving the elements for anywhere from six hours to the entire 42 hours. The cold and rainy weather on Sat. morning presented a particular challenge.

“The rain did keep some participants away,” said Rian Satter-White, Assistant Director of Leadership Program, who was among the leaders of the sleep-out component of the week. There were about 20 participants on Saturday afternoon. Many left to go to class and then returned. Those who stayed found ways to stay warm and pass the time.

“We just moved to the breezeway when the rain started,” said Matt Petrickas, a sophomore who had been there since 8 p.m. Friday.

Participants were allowed to bring food or a sleeping bag, if the items fit into a backpack, and while cell phones were permitted, anyone caught texting or making a call was handcuffed by the student police and put in a makeshift jail, which was a confined area under an oak tree. Cardboard boxes were also available to the homeless students on a first come, first served basis.

Omari Mayberry, a social work associate from the Community Outreach Program at Grady Memorial Hospital, began the sleep-out with stories about his fight against homelessness. The participants were attentive and asked several questions about the homeless people Mayberry worked with and the challenges they faced.

The sleep-out gave a number of students a new perspective on the plight of homeless people.

“The evening was powerful. Many participants stated they now have a greater understanding for homeless people,” said Wachniak

“It has encouraged me to help them any way that I can, and not to just pass by pretending like I didn’t see.  I was once guilty of this.  If this [sleep-out] is repeated next year I will gladly participate again,” said Andre Williams, a student who chose to join in just for the experience.

Sophomore Bradley Ball said he had learned a lot during HAW. “It’s not so easy for [the homeless] to better their lives,” he said.

A few students were skeptical that the sleep-out was an effective method for experiencing homelessness. One student, a senior majoring in Psychology, surveyed the groups playing cards, throwing Frisbee and singing songs and said, “It feels like a party, like we’re camping out.” Other participants said that the cardboard boxes, and the pizza that arrived later in the evening, made the sleep-out too easy.

Dr. Wachniak decided to organize HAW last spring when she noticed a degree of naïveté among her students regarding homelessness. The week was designed to teach students who the homeless are, why people become homeless and how students can help in the fight against homelessness. The event was sponsored by the Center for Student Leadership, Adult Learner Programs, KSU Department of Public Safety, Department of Student Life, and the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.