More than 230 students, faculty, staff and community members gathered in LaRose Digital Theatre Tuesday, Nov. 15 for the second annual Faces of Homelessness Speaker’s Bureau with the National Coalition for the Homeless. The Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement and the Truitt Center for Religious and Spiritual Life co-sponsored this cultural event.
Three panelists and one staff member from the coalition shared their personal experiences and expertise on the issues of hunger and homelessness. These stories resonated with the audience and urged them to confront the causes of poverty in our community. The panel informed audience members about the prevalence of this problem, as over 3.5 million Americans experience homelessness each year, according to the National Coalition for the Homeless.
“Faces of Homelessness changed my perspective and educated me about an issue that we should all be aware of,” said freshman Jasmine Turner. “I fought back tears the entire time. As cliché as it sounds, the panel ignited a fire in me to want to continue to research and work towards ending poverty in this country and around the world.”
She added, “I was so inspired by the speakers and appreciated them sharing their story with all of us. It was an excellent program and one of my favorite events so far this year!”
The panel was one of several events held in recognition of National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, which runs Nov. 14-18. The Campus Kitchen at Elon University organized campus involvement throughout the week in a nationwide effort to promote education, action and awareness about hunger and homelessness. Sophomores Jordan Only and Leigh Iler and senior Aeriel Hall, Campus Kitchen Educational Programming Team, coordinated this year’s NHHAW.
In addition to the panel, the team collaborated with Allied Churches and Loaves and Fishes to provide designated volunteer opportunities for students during NHHAW. In partnership with SUBLive and the Kernodle Center for Service Learning and Community Engagement, NHHAW will present a Benefit Concert featuring Nicholas Agrawal and Twisted Measure on Friday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. in McKinnon Hall. Admission to the concert is free, but attendees are strongly encouraged to bring a Thanksgiving food item to be donated to Allied Churches as part of the weeklong Turkeypalooza Food Drive.
Students are also reminded to stop by the NHHAW Moseley table and pick up an orange awareness ribbon to show their support for this cause.