Students walking to 8 a.m. classes on Thursday were greeted by a strange sight. More than 100 of their classmates were camped out on the cement in the University Union for the night.
Wednesday night was “Sleep Out to End Homelessness,” a Student Community Services Homelessness Awareness Week event to raise funds for the El Camino Homeless Organization (ECHO) based out of Atascadero.
Student Community Services director coordinator and the event’s main organizer Camille Crenshaw said she was “very pleased” with the turnout.
“I would say around 153 people showed up,” Crenshaw said. She said last year’s Sleep Out event was not as well attended — fewer than 10 people showed up.
This year’s event included hot chocolate, ice cream, games and a speaker.
Crenshaw said she thought the topics speaker, reverend Cynthia Eastman covered were apropos considering the event’s focus. Eastman is the founder of Common Ground Worldwide, a non-profit organization dedicated to building sustainable housing and donating books and warm clothing to those experiencing homelessness. Eastman was also homeless at one time.
“It was amazing that we were able to have someone who used to be homeless present,” Crenshaw said. “That’s a side most people don’t get to say.”
Eastman spoke to the gathered crowd about her own experiences without a home.
“When I was 13, I found myself homeless for the first time,” Eastman said. “It brings me to tears to see all the students out here. It’s a sacrifice; it’s cold.”
Though temperatures dropped into the 40s, most of the students stayed the full night, Crenshaw said.
For every student that showed up, Student Community Services pledged $20 to ECHO. The Organization is a volunteer-run non-profit that offers meals, shelters and support services to the San Luis Obispo County homeless community. Due to high attendance, Crenshaw said Student Community Services will have to do some supplemental fundraising to earn enough money to keep that pledge. It had budgeted for approximately 60 people maximum to attend.
Isabel Lally and Luke Benton were two of the many who decided to experience homelessness for the night.
“(Benton) told me about it today, and it’s an easy and fun way to help,” Lally said of her decision to attend.
“Not only does it bring awareness, but it helps out by bringing $20. There are going to be speakers, you can learn something and meet people with similar interests,” Benton said at the beginning of the night.
While most students opted for traditional mats and sleeping bags, some got a little more creative.
“A guy made a cardboard house with an attached garage and a chimney,” Crenshaw said. “People brought their tents. There were even some full-blown mattresses out there. It was a really cool atmosphere — people were playing music and games.”
Many thanks to all of the Cal Poly students who participated in the Sleep Out event! It was my great honor to speak about my personal history with homelessness and a joy to see how many students care about the issue and are thinking about solutions.
Blessings multiplied,
Rev. Cynthia
PS- Thanks for the great write up, Mercedes!
Hey everyone! Lets play homeless for a night, won’t that be fun! I’d never do it for more than a 8 hours though, that’s gross!
It was a great experience i have a new found respect for the homeless.It made me realize how many adversity that homeless people have to go through have to go through during the day and at night-a constant circle of adversity that never ends. Depressing.Looking forward to participating in it next year
There are LOTS of ways that Cal Poly students can help to end homelessness! I have great hope that your generation can END homelessness.
In the meantime, volunteer opportunities exist to assist w/ relieving suffering for folks who are un-housed.
If you are a person of ACTION, feel free to contact me concerning how you can help:
Blessings,
Rev. Cynthia
commongroundworldwide@live.com
Sad that less than 10 people showed up last year-just shows how much people care about themselves more than others -such a typical Cal Poly behavior not surprised
More like less publicity
10 people in 2011, but 153 people this year – that’s AMAZING!
I was extremely touched by seeing the wonderful support of all the Cal Poly students who were sleeping out on the hard concrete in the cold – it actually brought me to tears.
Sure, it was just one night & for those of us who either are or have been homeless, it usually lasts for a lot longer than that, but let’s face it, these students could have chosen to do a lot of other things w/ their time.
BRAVO ya’ll for your willingness to help raise awareness of the issues!
Many thanks!