Volunteer & Service Center Focuses Attention on Those on the Street

Homelessness Awareness Week Addresses Poverty, Inspires Activism

November 5, 2007

By Debra Cano Ramos

In Orange County, an estimated 35,000 people are homeless — almost the size of the student enrollment at Cal State Fullerton.

It’s a statistic Cal State Fullerton student Chris Taylor wants to change. “Hunger and homelessness are problems that are often ignored, especially here in Orange County,” Taylor said. “I believe that people want to help in addressing these issues; they just need a little inspiration.”

To get students and community members motivated to get involved and to raise public consciousness, Taylor and a team of nine other Cal State Fullerton students are organizing “Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week” on campus Nov. 13 - 16. The theme: “35,000 Students at CSUF; 35,000 Homeless People in Orange County.” (Current student enrollment is about 37,000.)

“By helping to organize the week of awareness I am hoping to learn more about grassroots activism concerning issues of poverty in the United States and right here in Orange County,” said Taylor, project director for Students ACT (Students Advocating Civic Transformation). “I think that a lot of us here at Cal State Fullerton live disconnected from the community, and as a result, remain ignorant of the poverty that exists around us. It is my hope that people will be faced with the issues of hunger and homelessness — and take action by serving those affected.”

Students ACT and Hunger Coalition are two projects of the university's Volunteer and Service Center that are partnering together to put on the weeklong event.

Taylor said he wanted to take part because of the injustices he has noticed taking place in the world and in local communities in regards to the homeless. “I want to be a part of making things right by raising awareness and serving those who are victims of injustice,” said the senior speech communication major.

The event includes food and monetary donation drives and a “Living Exhibit” designed to challenge the stereotypes people have about the hungry and homeless locally and nationally.

“We want to educate people on the range of ways in which they can get involved in helping — from volunteering at homeless shelters and soup kitchens to becoming activists who work to confront issues of poverty and homelessness,” said Amy Mattern, coordinator of the Volunteer and Service Center.

Children living in local homeless shelters get an up-close science lesson during the 2006 'Hunger and Homelessness Week' on campus.

More than 50 student volunteers will help put on this fall’s annual event, Mattern said. In coordinating and implementing last year’s events, 51 CSUF students performed 590 hours of community service and netted a 535 percent increase in food donations and 383 percent increase in funds raised over 2005, she said. Moreover, many students signed up for future volunteer activities.

Taylor added that it is important for students, as well as community members, to become activists regarding such societal issues: “It is the young people who will be instrumental in any positive change that occurs. Young people have the energy, time and idealism that are needed to really make good things happen.”

Campus events that will be held during Cal State Fullerton's Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week and throughout November:

• Through Nov. 30 — “Food and Donation Drive” with bins placed in campus buildings and monetary donations collected through university departments, student clubs and organizations and at tables set up on Titan Walk. Food items will be given to the Community Action Partnership of Orange County for distribution and monetary donations will go to Isaiah House, a Santa Ana homeless shelter. The Volunteer and Service Center also is collecting food and donations for the recent Orange Count wildfire victims who lost their homes, resulting in many new homeless people in the area. Campus departments wishing to get a food bin in their workplace can request one by calling the Volunteer and Service Center at 657-278-7623.

• Nov. 13 — “Tabling on Titan Walk,” held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will offer information about hunger and homelessness and how campus members can get involved in volunteering and supporting the event.

• Nov. 14 — “Living Exhibit,” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature volunteers holding cardboard signs that have statistics, facts, images and quotes, designed to debunk stereotypes about the homeless and hungry. Information tables will be set up so people can get information, make a donation, sign up to volunteer and discover how they can make a difference.

• Nov. 15 — “Resource Fair, Our Stories & Solidarity Chain,” from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., will feature local community agencies that work with homelessness and hunger issues. At noon, “Our Stories” will be told at the Becker Amphitheatre with event project directors sharing personal stories from homeless people living in Orange County. Following the stories, a solidarity chain will be formed from 12:30 to 1 p.m. and attendees will be invited to participate. Stickers that read “I’m 1 of 35,000” will be passed out for people to wear throughout the day.

• Nov. 16 — “College Day for Homeless Children at CSUF” is a chance for youngsters living in shelters to visit campus and learn more about achieving higher education. The children will be on campus from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to meet students and faculty members and learn about theater arts, speech, debate and other college subjects. They also will tour the campus, have lunch and go bowling.

For more information or to offer support, call the Volunteer and Service Center at 278-7623 or visit www.fullerton.edu/deanofstudents/volunteer.