By: Michael Moran /The Daily Cardinal
- March 27, 2009
UW-Madison students should get more involved in the battle against homelessness.
By Michael Moran
WUD Society and Politics Committee
I
have never been without a home or owned only the things I could carry,
but a countless and growing population is undergoing a life of
homelessness. Every trip down reliable State Street reminds me that
there are people without a warm, safe place to go. If the weather is
bearable, they shake their cups. That’s not something we should be
alright with. In a city with such a rich background of human rights
movements and rallies, I’m surprised to find the problem shaking in our
face to be overlooked?
There are several student organizations that put a cause to action and strive to alleviate the hardships of homelessness. WISPIRG
has sponsored Hunger and Homelessness Awareness weeks, as well as
various Hunger Clean-ups. Street Pulse prints monthly copies of the
Street Pulse paper. The paper is then sold to Street Pulse vendors at
25 cents per paper, who are either homeless or marginalized. The
vendors in turn distribute the paper for a suggested dollar donation.
This provides a work setting to those who would typically be denied any
work. Street Pulse is also sponsoring a Box City in Library Mall on
April 4th to raise homeless awareness.
Don’t let the
progress end with these two groups. Certainly join them if you’re
interested, but there’s still more everyone can do to help the
homeless. Start a clothing drive in your dorm, apartment, fraternity or
sorority and donate to shelters in the Madison area. The shelters are
becoming overwhelmed, especially with the economy scare, and need more
help than ever. The River, a major shelter in the area, can no longer
keep up with the demands for the food and clothing they supply and have
begun halving the amount of support they can provide to each person.
Find a shelter and support with whatever you can spare.
If
you’re feeling really ambitious, we have our lovely capitol within
walking distance to lobby bills and hold rallies. UW-Madison and
student organizations offer great resources for activism. All it takes
is a little initiative and innovation and the support will come. Most
importantly, don’t allow the atrocities of homelessness to pass without
a fight. We are Madison, hear us roar.
Michael Moran is a member of the WUD Society and Politics Committee. Please send responses to opinion@dailycardinal.com.
