FHU Social Work Students Raise
Awareness for the Homeless
FHU Social Work students spend a night in their shoes.
On November 3, Freed-Hardeman University's Populations at Risk class, a required class for social work majors, gathered in the university's commons to increase awareness of homelessness in West Tennessee by simulating a group of homeless people themselves.
Joy Weimer, whose role for the 24-hour simulation was that of a 25-year old mother who was abandoned by a boyfriend leaving her and her seven-year-old daughter with no income and no shelter, is actually a junior social work major at Freed-Hardeman who is taking the Populations at Risk class.
The simulation also served as a way to encourage the faculty, staff and students of Freed-Hardeman to bring non-perishable food, clothing and financial donations for the class to donate to the homeless population through RIFA.
Each of the 14 students participating was given a profile to portray during the simulation. There was a table set up for individuals to read the profiles to better understand each person's role. The roles ranged from physical or mental handicaps, people with medical bills that consumed their incomes, veterans, single women escaping domestic abuse and alcohol and drug dependencies.
"These roles aren't intended to be pretty," said Nita Mehr, who teaches the Populations at Risk class. "They speak to what constitutes homelessness on the streets, and that is never a feel-good situation. We just want to be sure to help people better understand that these people aren't all there by poor-decision-making. So many times it's beyond their control and we want to help them in whatever way we can."
The students were confined to the commons area of Freed-Hardeman during the project to assure their safety, but they did not attend classes on Monday and had to 'beg' for boxes and blankets for shelter and for any food they received. Most students were able to find boxes to serve as their shelter for the night — Monday night's low temperature was 43 degrees — while others sat closer to buildings surrounding the commons hoping for some added warmth.
The project was three-fold for the class: to heighten awareness of homelessness, raise money, clothing and food for the homeless and to get through the 24-hour simulation with a better understanding of what homeless individuals have suffered.