Sleep Out event raises awareness about homelessness in the Lock Haven community

by Joel Robinson Social Media Manager

Lock Haven University Outreach for Humanity

Club hosted Sleep Out for the Homeless on April 15, an event organized to bring awareness about homelessness in the community.

The event was set to take place from 8 p.m. until midnight at the Alumni Pavilion and lawn but was cut short due to weather.

Over a dozen students came out to support the cause. The club fundraised for the Lock Haven Life Center and Merit House Homeless Shelter.

Student President of Outreach for Humanity Alexis Mayes, a sophomore majoring in Health Science stated,

“The Lock Haven Community is always looking for volunteers” reenforcing the need for people to take action calling the homeless situation “a crisis in our country.”

Circle-K Club President Kiyona Potts, a junior Criminal Justice major was another student who attended the event.

When asked her impressions on the event she stated, “I thought it was a good idea and it lets people get an idea of what homeless people go through. It [also] rained tonight which is a good reminder that people actually sleep in this weather.”

Potts also mentioned she was from Philadelphia and said “you see a lot of homeless and see a lot of people sleeping outside of buildings and just in tough situations. There’s shelters but it’s terrible to know there’s a lot of people without a place to sleep and without a home.”

Another student Mitchell Wood, a junior studying Secondary Education Biology, commented on homelessness in America.

“I don’t know much except what I have currently been exposed to which is where I live which isn’t very heavy with homeless people.”

Despite his recent exposure to the cause, Wood was adamant about “bringing awareness to the cause and also provid[ing] donations and services to various groups.”

Homelessness is a problem facing over 582,00 Americans according to The

Department of Housing and Urban Development. Outreach for Humanity encourages students to do their part in helping the cause by donating items, money, or simply their volunteered time to local homeless shelters. For more information about volunteering or donating, contact Chrissy Wise, at cwise@commonwealthu. edu or visit the Community Service Office located on the upper floor of the Parsons Union Building.