Teens Experience Homelessness
In ‘Cardboard Campout’

Area youth got a taste of homelessness Friday night at Bethany Church, when 30 youth gathered to participate in the first of three events focusing upon hunger and homelessness.

"I can't think of any issue that is more compelling in our time, said Bethany pastor and coordinator of the youth project, Robin Junker. "This program is designed to help us see how our lifestyle choices can become life and death issues for our neighbors here and around the globe."

Participants in Friday's cardboard campout knew that they would be sleeping in boxes outside Bethany Church. Few, however, anticipated freezing rain and a parking lot surrounded by snow when the project was planned back in February.

"I was concerned about foul weather and wanted to give our youth an opportunity reschedule," said Paul Kendall, a program mentor.

The impassioned youth response was, "The homeless don't have the option to reschedule."

In spite of harsh weather, the cardboard village was created along Main Street, opposite Chandler's Mud Season Talent Show. It was a part of the youths’ plan to use this sleepover as a teaching moment for others.

Their cardboard village was fronted by a soup kitchen, candles glowing in the darkness, and numerous spray-painted posters expressing the plight of those without.

Most spent the entire night outside in their rain-soaked village. Only five lost the battle with the elements and sought sanctuary in Bethany in the middle of the night.

"This program is designed to help us get out of our heads and into our hearts when we think about the homeless and the hungry," said Junker on Sunday, adding, "And, boy, does it do that."

One youth was heard to say, "I am not now homeless and I never want to be."  

Fasting, Too

The project continues in coming weeks with fundraising and food collection for the local food shelf and international projects.

On May 9, community members will be solicited by youth in a door-to-door campaign seeking non-perishable food and funding for international humanitarian relief.

As a finale to their month-long examination of issues surrounding hunger and homelessness, the youth will participate in a "30 Hour Famine," May 16-17.