(Above) FAM for Change mentors and mentees paint bins using stencils and (below) mentor Nico Andrade adds finishing touches

Mentor Tori Harkins helps decorate a bin

A Call for Donations

Posted on November 3, 2010 - Permalink
Audiences: Alumni Current Students Faculty and Staff HomePage Parents and Visitors Prospective Students Research Trustees

The campus community is being asked to support regional advocacy and direct-care agencies in observance of Hunger and Homeless Awareness Week, Nov. 14-20. The effort is being led by the Task Force to End Homelessness, under the direction of founding chairperson, Dr. Michele Wakin, acting executive assistant to President Dana Mohler-Faria.

Items requested by direct-care agencies include: toiletries (preferably travel size); new or lightly used, clean clothing for children and adults; and books for children or adults. Donations of canned food items are always welcome.

Donation bins, decorated by Brockton High School students participating in Friends and Mentors (FAM) for Change, can be found at Maxwell Library (two entrances), Rondileau Campus Center (near the Community Service Center and Tent City), East Campus Commons (outside the Bookstore), Moakley Center (atrium) and Boyden Hall (rotunda).

Donations will be directed to the Bridgewater Food Pantry, Old Colony YMCA Family Life Center, Father Bill's/Mainspring, St. Paul's Table and Woman's Place Crisis Center. These agencies support homeless populations in the region, individuals and families in need of food, and women in crisis.

Other events during the week include the Social Justice League's annual Tent City and "Dish Out" fundraiser. Clients of the Family Life Center will be treated to an evening of fun at Bridgewater, which will include dinner, games for children and relaxation techniques for adults. Finally, members of the president's cabinet will serve lunch at St. Paul's Table.

The goal of the Task Force to End Homelessness is to shed a regional spotlight on the issue of homelessness as it uses the university's expertise in teaching, research and student engagement to benefit homeless people and service providers throughout the region. By involving students, the task force is developing a new group of scholars interested in pursuing housing and equality for all citizens.

Members of the task force are Susan McCombe, Office of University and Community Partnerships; Diane Bell, Community Service Center; Eva Gaffney, Office of Institutional Communications; Dr. David O'Malley, School of Social Work; Kerri Weed, Office of the President; Maria Schaaf, Office of Academic Affairs; Carolyn Masshardt, School of Social Work; Dr. Sabrina Gentlewarrior, Office of Institutional Diversity; Dr. Michael Kryzanek, Center for International Engagement; students Nikki Sauber, Chelsea Horrocks and Amy Cavanaugh.

For more information, visit www.bridgew.edu/homelessness/.