FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Students to Experience Homelessness with “Night in a Box”, Other Events
Media contact:
Gwen O’Brien
Director of Media Relations
Saint Mary's College
(574) 284-4579
April 29, 2011 (Notre Dame, Ind.)—What is it like to be homeless? It’s hard to imagine. That’s why a Saint Mary’s College student, who has volunteered at the Center for the Homeless for two years, created a homeless simulation for students. Night in a Box will be held on campus tomorrow, Saturday, April 30, starting at 9:30 p.m. Participants will spend the night outdoors in shelters made of boxes to experience the sleeping conditions that some of South Bend’s homeless face. The night is part of a series of events called Roof Overhead 2011 intended to raise awareness for homelessness.
Roof Overhead 2011 is the concept of Claire Yancy ’11. “By spending a night outside with limited supplies, one is able to better understand these individuals' experiences,” Yancy said. “During the simulation, participants will have the opportunity to read the stories, journal entries, and thoughts of homeless individuals in the South Bend community, compiled by a Saint Mary’s student.”
Other Roof Overhead 2011 events include a Saint Mary’s student spring-cleaning effort at the Center for the Homeless, 813 S. Michigan Street, from 2-5 p.m. on Sunday, May 1. On Monday, May 2 at 7 p.m. in the parlor at Haggar College Center, Saint Mary's College, there will be Story Time, an event where guests from the Center speak about their circumstances and what it means to be homeless in today’s society. Story Time is open to the public.
“My goal was to create a series of events in which students could gain a better understanding of homelessness and how it affects the South Bend community. Taking into account the various ways in which students learn, I wanted to make each event unique, having activities that would force some of them out of their comfort zone and create memories that would remain with them forever,” Yancy said.
Yancy was introduced to the Center in 2009 while taking a public communication class at Saint Mary’s offered by communication studies professor Terri L. Russ. As part of the curriculum, Saint Mary’s students coach residents on communication skills needed to be successful in life, with family, school, work, and day-to-day affairs. Yancy and another student went on to create a program at the Center called Our Hour. This program, which was nationally recognized by the National Association for Education in Communication and Media, focused on helping female residents to find their voice and increase their self-esteem and self-worth. The College’s Office for Civic and Social Engagement recognized Yancy this week with The Sister Christine Healy, CSC Award for Service with Women, primarily for her work with Our Hour.
About Saint Mary’s College: Saint Mary’s College, Notre Dame, Ind., is a four-year, Catholic, women’s institution offering five bachelor’s degrees and more than 30 major areas of study. Saint Mary’s College has six nationally accredited academic programs: social work, art, music, teacher education, chemistry and nursing. Saint Mary’s College ranks among the top 100 “Best National Liberal Arts Colleges” in the U.S. News & World Report 2011 College Guide. Founded in 1844, Saint Mary’s is a pioneer in the education of women, and is sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross.