For LaKeia Barnes, homelessness is a family affair.
Although the sophomore behavioral and community health major has never been homeless herself, several of her family members have gone without a place to live. However, it wasn’t until she watched the KONY 2012 video circulate the Internet and draw attention to an issue abroad that she began to seriously think about how she could take action to address issues on the homefront.
“We can’t help other countries if we aren’t right ourselves,” Barnes said.
She and senior psychology major Vedina Singh decided to start Terps Against Homelessness, a student group approved Sunday whose mission is to collect and donate clothing, toiletries and other items to local homeless shelters and raise awareness about homelessness on the campus. The 16 members hope to directly reach out and meet with homeless people face-to-face to show them their support.
“We don’t know these people’s stories, so it could help them; it could just make their day,” Singh said.
David Inoue, the administrative director of Christ House – a Washington organization that provides healthcare to the local homeless – said homelessness is a predominant issue in the area, and there are even more homeless people who may not be “visible” or living on the streets.
“In D.C., it’s pretty obvious it’s a pretty significant problem,” Inoue said. “It’s hard to not find someone homeless in the vicinity of somewhere you might walk.”
Singh said she didn’t even know how widespread local homelessness was until Barnes brought it up to her. Therefore, she said it is especially important to make more students aware.
“It’s more prevalent than I thought. I just think it’s a really big issue,” Singh said.
However, some group members disagreed on what may be the best or safest means for outreach. Barnes said she plans to have members go out directly to the homeless on the street to hand out the donated items. Although this direct approach may make homeless people feel threatened, Barnes said she believes they will feel more appreciated once members explained their mission.
“Our main focus is to go to the people directly, and not going through the shelters,” she said.
However, Singh said she thought it might be more effective for the group to focus its efforts on donating to homeless shelters rather than reaching out directly to people. She said group members hope to visit homeless shelters once or twice a month and help prepare meals.
“I definitely see a few safety issues that could come about with that, but I don’t think there would be any major challenges,” she said.
Freshman English and secondary education major Alexander Pryor said he thought approaching people on the street would likely result in club members being taken advantage of by con artists.
“I’m just concerned for their safety,” Pryor said.
He added he thinks the club should focus on donating directly to shelters and holding on-campus food and clothing drives so that nonmembers can also help the cause.
“If they don’t actively participate, then they can still contribute,” Pryor said.
Inoue said while community outreach can have varying effects, increasing education and awareness about homelessness reaps the best results.
“I think the most useful thing in getting students involved in something like this is the education aspect,” Inoue said. “Basically just learn about the problem, and learn from some of the folks that are homeless.”
kelley@umdbk.com
