Sleep out simulation unifies students with realities of homelessness
Sarah Sweeney
Issue date: 4/7/09 Section: News
On a chilly spring afternoon into the evening, a gathering of determined Loyola College community members began to fast to send a message. Beginning at noon on Friday, these individuals began their 24-hour abstention for the annual Fast and Sleep Out held on campus. The event, organized by staff and student leaders in the Center for Community Service and Justice, works to establish solidarity among Loyola students and those who are hungry and homeless. The simulation served as an attempt to allow students to become more aware of what millions of people throughout the world go through every day.
CCSJ invited students, faculty, staff and administrators interested in learning more about the reality of chronic hunger and homelessness.
Organizers insisted the experience would allow participants "to gain a more global perspective."
"Everyone was told to bring a sleeping bag, warm layers, etc.," explained Ariel Watson, '11, a service coordinator for the UNITE immersion program and Meet and Eat dinners in the CCSJ.
"Most of us slept on top of a tarp, which protected us from the wet ground. [Aside from] our sleeping bags and the clothes we were wearing [protecting us], we were exposed to the wind, which was really strong [that] night."
The weather on Friday gave the students a realistic taste of the conditions people living on the streets have to confront on a daily basis.
The ground, still damp from morning downpours, served as a wet cushion while winds blew overhead.
"It was much colder than a lot of us anticipated, which made it very difficult to sleep," said Watson. "As frustrating and tiring as that was, we were all glad to have even a fraction of the experience that more than 3,000 people in Baltimore have on any given night."
This itinerary was not limited to merely experiencing temporary hunger and homelessness, however. After checking in at 5:30 p.m., participants gathered in groups for icebreakers, an opening speech explaining the significance of the simulation and featuring guest speakers from the Baltimore service and homeless community.
CCSJ invited students, faculty, staff and administrators interested in learning more about the reality of chronic hunger and homelessness.
Organizers insisted the experience would allow participants "to gain a more global perspective."
"Everyone was told to bring a sleeping bag, warm layers, etc.," explained Ariel Watson, '11, a service coordinator for the UNITE immersion program and Meet and Eat dinners in the CCSJ.
"Most of us slept on top of a tarp, which protected us from the wet ground. [Aside from] our sleeping bags and the clothes we were wearing [protecting us], we were exposed to the wind, which was really strong [that] night."
The weather on Friday gave the students a realistic taste of the conditions people living on the streets have to confront on a daily basis.
The ground, still damp from morning downpours, served as a wet cushion while winds blew overhead.
"It was much colder than a lot of us anticipated, which made it very difficult to sleep," said Watson. "As frustrating and tiring as that was, we were all glad to have even a fraction of the experience that more than 3,000 people in Baltimore have on any given night."
This itinerary was not limited to merely experiencing temporary hunger and homelessness, however. After checking in at 5:30 p.m., participants gathered in groups for icebreakers, an opening speech explaining the significance of the simulation and featuring guest speakers from the Baltimore service and homeless community.
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