Homeless Awareness Service Event

ABOUT THE CAUSE

Michigan State University Social Work Graduate Student Advisory Committee and the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness are working together to host MSU’s first Homeless Awareness Month Service Event.  

Homelessness amongst the 17-24 year old population is prevalent more today than it has ever been.  One group in that demographic that we don’t often focus on are the youth from disadvantaged backgrounds living on and near college campuses. College youth from urban and rural areas living on and near campus are often tasked with transitioning into and assimilating with a community that can put them at a drastic financial disadvantage.

We hope to create an event that brings awareness to the needs that college students may have relating to housing and food insecurity. We also plan to put university service providers in one place in the name of helping students that need them most.


EVENT GAINS

This event will organize and centralize resources that students need surrounding housing insecurity and hunger.

The event will give MSU faculty and staff information that clarifies their need to focus on preventing housing insecurity for students.

Students will be offered a safe place to access services that meet their needs.

A conversation will be started surrounding the need for a change in how the University and REHS prevents housing insecurity and hunger effecting students. 

Students and faculty/staff will have an opportunity to bond during an entertaining service event.

Students will learn the importance of giving back to the community.

Students will be reintroduced to campus resources during a time less hectic than welcome week.

Student groups will be able to partner and use the event as their service project.

Undergraduate students can use the event for their service learning hours. 

Internship and other networking opportunities will be available as faculty and staff will be present.