Homeless tell their stories at rally on Green

In another attempt to raise awareness about homeless issues, the University City Hospitality Coalition held a rally yesterday near the peace symbol on College Green. "We're trying to dispel myths [about homelessness]," said David Lynn, executive director of UCHC. Four speakers, all of whom either are currently homeless or have been homeless at one point in their lives, took the podium to speak about their experiences. No students gathered to listen to the speeches but many stopped to listen for a few minutes as they walked down Locust Walk. Daniel Dow, who is currently homeless, said that University students need to think about these issues because soon they will be making the decisions that run our country. "College has always been a place for change," Dow said. "Students can help out by volunteering which a lot of them already do." Many of the speakers encouraged people to become involved in finding a solution. "I've been homeless for four years, it's terrible," UCHC client Daniel Jackson said. "Being homeless is a terrible feeling -- you don't know where to turn next." Reece Barksdale, who used to be homeless, discussed the need to put pressure on political and business leaders in order to bring an end to the homeless problem. "This is one of the richest countries in the world and some of our basic rights are denied when you are homeless," Barksdale said. "Never has the government really gotten down to the grassroots level of homelessness." He added that there are many things that people can do to help out, such as donating food and clothing or volunteering time with one of the 27 organizations that deal with homelessness in Philadelphia. Barksdale also stressed the importance of treating homeless people as human beings, saying "We often tend to walk by and turn a blind eye and a deaf ear." Dow said that one of the main concerns of the homeless is that it is impossible to get a job without a mailing adress. "You can't find a job because you don't have a home," Dow said. "Where do they call? Where do they mail a letter? Without organizations like UCHC we would be in trouble." According to UCHC's Lynn, the coalition provides medical and refferal services, hot meals and legal assistance. He added that there are about 200 volunteers involved and most are students. "We are partially SAC funded but have no direct affiliation with the University," Lynn said. "One of the biggest things we do is provide a mailing adress for clients so they can recieve welfare." "I thank the volunteers and the people that donate food to us," homeless man Victor Webster said. "Just last night a student came out and gave me two blankets. I really appreciated it." All the speakers agreed on one point -- the situation needs to change. "Our children think it is normal. It is not normal, it is not OK to be homeless," Barksdale said. "We need to find it in our hearts to give a little time, sometimes that's all it takes," he added.

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