Reality Check: Confronting Homelessness

Friday, December 18, 2009

By now, November 15th is well over a month past and a distant memory; however, the memories of the event that took place that evening are still vivid and fresh in our minds. 

"Reality Check: Confronting Homelessness" was an effort of The Christian Center and Alternatives Inc to educate the community about the issues of local homelessness and about the agencies that serve those who are facing those issues.  People were invited to come out to the Scatterfield buisness park (former location of Delco Remy plant 11 - now a greenspace at the corner of Scatterfield Road and 32nd Street) and not only hear the stories of those who have faced local homelessness, but to learn about how the could get involved and to stay overnight in a cardboard box or a tent.  The overnight experience (in the colder weather) offered a glimpse into a life of hardship.

This being the first year, we were without a perspective of what the response to an event like this might be.  As we looked into it, we found that similar events were pioneered, on average, by large metropolitan cities; how would a small city of 55,000 react to such a reality check?

We were overwhelmed.  The Herald Bulletin suggested that there were around 150 people there that evening.  In truth, there were nearly 300 people there, excited about the opportunity to be a small part of something that would make a big difference.  After fantastic press about the event, we are excited to begin planning for next year - at which we anticipate better attendance and bigger impact.

To see the Herald Bulletin press coverage, see the article links below (thanks, HB, for helping us spread the word!):

http://www.heraldbulletin.com/archivesearch/local_story_290163746.html

http://www.heraldbulletin.com/archivesearch/local_story_315213921.html

http://www.heraldbulletin.com/archivesearch/local_story_317231639.html

http://www.heraldbulletin.com/archivesearch/local_story_318192143.html

http://www.heraldbulletin.com/archivesearch/local_story_322103858.html

http://www.heraldbulletin.com/archivesearch/local_story_336094900.html