SJL President Brandon Reynolds at his tent

Some of the Tent City participants

Student-Organized Tent City Again Puts Focus on Homelessness

Posted on November 19, 2009 - Permalink
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Leaving behind comforts of their everyday lives, 25 BSC students are getting a taste of what it's like to live on the streets this week as they participate in the Social Justice League's third annual Tent City event.

From Nov. 16-20, students will spend their nights sleeping in tents erected outside the campus center. They will also sacrifice the use of cell phones, laptops and other electronics, eat at a mock soup kitchen set up in the center's cafeteria and use only public facilities.

Meanwhile, students will have to keep up with their coursework and find time to collect food and money for Father Bill's and Mainspring in Brockton, the Bridgewater Food Pantry and Horizons for Homeless Children, which has centers local and statewide.

Through exposing the campus community to the country's homelessness problems, the event aims to raise awareness about the issue.

Participant Jade Kluver, '12, said the location helps draw attention to the cause.

"Being in the center of the school means so many people walk by and notice what we are doing. This at least gets them thinking about it," she said.

Chris Meisner, who is staying outside between classes, said the "whole experience really makes you appreciate what you have right now; because of this economy and all these people getting laid off there's no telling who will and who won't become homeless."

Students also learn about homelessness and related topics from a variety of speakers, including representatives from homeless shelters, who stop by throughout the week. Also, facts and statistics pertaining to homelessness are written on cardboard signs and posted around campus. (Story by Shawn Mullins; photos by Karen Callan, both of Office of Institutional Communications)