Homeless For Five Days And Five Nights

In the midst of  political blogging my co-bloggers and I usually do around here, I always wanted to interrupt this theme with something different. As someone who is left of center,  social justice has always been important to me. As such, I think it is also important to  bring awareness to such causes as well as fund raisers that go with them.

Five Days For the Homeless is a yearly campaign that started at the University of Alberta school of business in 2005 to raise a) raise funds for charities dealing with the homeless and b) to raise public awareness about the plight of the homeless. I would also add that it’s also surely a learning experience for those who participate, particularly for the first time.  The campaign would mushroom to other business schools across Canada, each raising funds for a local charity helping the homeless of their choice. The John Molson School of Business at Concordia University is the first school in Montreal to partake in the event. Here are the rules the participants must adhere to during the campaign:

1. Remain on campus for 5 days.
   The campaign begins 5 PM Sunday March 13th, 2011 and ends 5 PM Friday March 18th, 2011.
2. Have no income.
   100% of the funds donated to participants are passed on to each regions respective charity cause.
3. Have no food or drinks.
   Food can only be received through direct donations, and all non perishable food must be held and donated.
4. Have only a pillow and a sleeping bag.
   These items can be exchanged for an emergency meal.
5. Have no access to showers, or facilities to which their student status would usually grant them access.
   Washrooms can only be accessed when campus buildings are open.
6. Sleep outside.
   The only exception is if inclement weather becomes a health risk.
7. Attend all classes.
   Participants will complete all academic responsibilities, including student organizations and teaching positions.
8. Avoid personal communication mediums.
   Participants will be expected to not use cell phones, or online social networking websites (Facebook, etc) during the five days campaign except for the purposes of promoting the campaign. Each region is required to have one cell phone for safety purposes.
9. Write about their experiences.
   Participants’ experiences will be posted on an online blog available through this website.

Last night, as I was on my way home from an event at  McGill University, I caught the large group of Concordia students all bundled up, clad in orange tee-shirts raising funds for Dans La Rue, a local charity whose mandate is to help homeless youth under the age of 25, being led by a middle-aged man leading the fund raising efforts with the an empty ten litre water bottle filling up with cash; quite a character he was.  I would later learn that he’s the husband of the director of development of Dans la Rue, Sue.  The Dans La Rue Van with their staff and a few volunteers providing food; hotdogs and juice or hot chocolate,  for the troops as well as encouragement, as they most likely do when they roam the city to where homeless youth in Montreal congregate. All in all, not your typical street corner fund raising effort. Quite an ambiance actually, probably because of the camaraderie that seemed to be formed amongst this diverse group. Behind them, a pile of sleeping bags and pillows for sleep. Besides all the discomforts of the urban outdoors; with the ambiance they were creating for themselves, making it as much fun as they could, I wonder if much sleep was had?  Last night was also special because some guest sleepers would be joining them like some of the executive from Dans La Rue, some staff at Concordia like 73 year old professor, Mahesh Sharma who participates one night every year at this event, and some local celebrities. This year’s local celebs were Georges Laracques, Q92′s morning newscaster, Murray Sherrifs and CTV News’ Christine Long.   Usually, I pass by quickly, perhaps donate some cash if  it was a charity I support and then go on my merry way. However, this time, this group looked inviting, even to this crotchety, middle-aged cynic. Not this time.  I wanted to meet them; to talk to them and then, perhaps blog about them. In the midst of the politicalBefore I go on with the time I spent with them, let me tell you a bit about Dans La Rue.

Dans La Rue, as I’ve mentioned above is an outreach is a charity that helps homeless youth under the age of twenty-five. It was founded in 1988 by a local priest, Father Emmett “Pops” Johns. He started out by obtaining a personal loan for 10,000$  to purchase a used winnebago to travel the neighbourhoods of Montreal where homeless youth were (and still are) most likely to be found.  According to Sue,  the director of development of Dans la Rue, the idea was that since most youth in difficulty have trust issues and thus, won’t seek help for themselves,  Dans la Rue would go to them, offering food (hotdogs, juice or coffee or hot chocolate), a safe place to warm up and rest and perhaps someone to listen to them.   They would grow over the years to be a multi-disciplinary organization.  Here is their evolution over the years. I am amazed at how they’ve grown over the years from that old winnebago to new customized van, a day center where youth can have a shower, a meal, referrals, etc., an emergency  shelter open 24/7,  job training, alternative school, basic life skills.

Sue told me that the problem when many of these street kids come to them, they are ill-equipped to handle the riguors of adult life, let alone getting on the work force or going back to school.  I think this is true of most youth, no matter where they come from. The difference is that most have homes to keep them safe and families who, hopefully, provide proper guidance.  Homeless youth generally don’t have such advantages, thus puts them in a vulnerable position from the outset.

Of course, how would such an organization function without volunteers; many volunteers.  Mostly, as I understand it, the newbies start on the front lines, working on the vans,  serving hotdogs to these youngters and providing that temporary respite. Volunteers must commit to one year, to a schedule of one night every other week.   I was introduced to one such volunteer, Erika, who basically explained how volunteer life on the van works. There are at least two volunteers aboard the van, one to take orders through the window and to serve and another to cook.  The van was quite spacious and I was amazed at how many people they can fit in there. Toiletries, pet food and clothing and blankets (depending on availability) are available upon request.  It’s funny, I find hotdogs absolutely revolting, but to these homeless youth,  hotdogs seem to be more than food to fill their stomachs; they seem to represent a certain warmth and comfort.  As my time chatting with Erika went on, I got the feeling that the student participants outside were also appreciating them, particularly if they haven’t had a bite to eat all day. Erika had pointed out how vital fund raising was. A piece of trivia she let me in on; it costs about 50,000$ per year just in hotdogs to feed the youth! Imagine how much for their other resources like their shelter, day center,  plus we can’t forget the continuing rising gas prices to run their van five nights a week and so much more.

After leaving the van, I resumed my chat with Sue who informally introduced her husband who was still hard at work raising money with that big bottle of his.  He appeared to be quite the salesman. Apparently, he hadn’t moved from that corner since 17:00 that afternoon, it was about 21:00 when she told me this.  She continued explaining the organization.  She explained that one of their reasons for success is that they don’t judge any of the clientele they help.  Anyone coming to the drop-in center is welcome, provided they follow the rules and behave accordingly; those rules are enforced.  It was Father “Pops” ‘ mantra as well; never judge; just help them the best way they can.   She also told me that the secret for the moral survival of the staff and volunteers is focusing on the happy endings of the youth they help.  They do have many success stories.  Of course, there are many, sadly, whose stories don’t end well, like an overdose, but they don’t spend their time dwelling on those, otherwise they would burn out, in her opinion.  Focusing on the successes is what keeps them keepin’ on.  All in all, a pleasant, informative chat with Erika and Sue.  More about Dans La Rue here.

I spoke with team Concordia’s organizers, Josh and Kristina as well. They’ve been organizing this event as well as participating for the past four years. I guess we can call them seasoned veterans.  I wanted to know what they learn from this experience? What do they come away with?  They were quite forthcoming actually. I was pleasantly surprised as I’ve been quite jaded about today’s youth these days.  It was actually refreshing to see these young adults who were fortunate enough to have a home and a university education and a subsequent career (Kristina, a marketing grad, works for IBM, but still comes back to school to help organize the event).  In my view, many take that for granted or just don’t appreciate what they have. Not Kristina, Josh or the 20-30 other orange tee-shirt clad students accompanying them.

I asked Kristina what her very first night sleeping outside was like for her.  Besides the cold weather, the typical urban sounds would keep anyone who isn’t used to it, awake. Sirens, screeching tires, voices of passersby.  Needless to say, she didn’t get much sleep.  One would think this would get anyone running home the following day, let alone organizing and participating every year.   I was starting to understand why, after an hour, one can see how rewarding it can be to be a part of such a large campaign that raises funds and public awareness of a large societal problem.  Another thing she noticed, and that’s also probably what keeps her participating every year, is how giving Montrealers can be. She also noticed is how many people simply stop by for a conversation about anything on their minds, like their families.

As for Josh, similar experiences to Kristina. He also told me he finds the experience quite humbling, particularly when the Dans la Rue van shows up to not only give them food, but to provide, as I’ve mentioned above, moral support, encouragement and appreciation to the participants.

It’s not  the first time I’ve heard those who do volunteer work referring to their experiences as humbling. Murray Sherrifs, the radio broadcaster used that adjective to describe how he feels volunteering  a few days a week at the Welcome Hall Mission, another local charity that helps the homeless. He also says that he benefits more than those he serves.  Obviously a man who is proud to serve his community.

I learned a little something too after my hour and half chatting with Sue, Erika, Kristina, Josh and Murray Sherrifs. How we should all be involved in some form in our communities.  In the middle of our busy lives of work, families and paying our bills, there are people struggling just to survive. Things we take for granted are luxuries and goals which often seem insurmountable to the homeless/poor.  If we can offer them a helping hand in some way, they would have better odds at a healthy, productive life. Also, I’m relieved to know that there are twenty-somethings who still care about their community, the human condition, willing to help others and most of all willing to step out of their comfort zone. In the case of Josh, Kristina and the other participants, as well as their guests from last night, doing something most well intended people wouldn’t dare attempt.

Team Concordia to date has raised $17,002.45 to date. Their goal is to reach 35,000$ by tomorrow. You can donate online as well.  Simply go to the drop down menu on the right hand corner of the site to choose the school you wish to donate to and/or find out about. As mentioned, each school across Canada is raising funds for their local homeless charities.  The national campaign has raised to date $101,393.30.

Five Days campaign will be going on until some time on Friday, March 18. If you pass by a group of bundled up, orange tee-shirt wearing students raising funds, try to donate a little cash, offer them something to eat (as mentioned above, they’re only allowed to eat what is donated; just like the homeless) and/or stop and say hello to them and offer encouragement.  I’m sure they’d appreciate it.

Oh, trivia moment, Justin Trudeau was a guest sleeper last year and yes, according to Josh, he did spend the night outside in a sleeping bag until the early morning to go off to work.