Students meet to talk about homelessness

A small group of students met last night to talk about causes of homelessness and possible solutions to the problem. The group discussion and accompanying candlelight vigil were part of the Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week at the University, sponsored by the Penn Volunteer Network. Several members of local groups such as Empty the Shelters were also at the program to offer their views. Eric Frank, a representative of the Philadelphia-Delaware Valley Union of the Homeless, answered questions about the situation and how he thinks students at the University could help. "Students have always played an important part in people organizing," he said. He said an important part of helping the homeless is providing them with "a voice in their living conditions." Many leave shelters, frustrated by the treatment they receive there, he said. Frank also discussed what he called the current tendency toward "criminalization of the homeless." He said homeless people are often portrayed as criminals and drug addicts, making it more difficult for people to believe they should try to help. The group also discussed using abandoned houses in Philadelphia to house those without homes. College junior Andrea Heberlein said she participated in the PVN-sponsored sleep out which was held last year. She said she feels students can use their educations to help those less fortunate than themselves. Wharton and Engineering sophomore Heather Koehler contrasted the few students which became involved in Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week with the large number of students at the University. "We have a lot more people to even reach," she said.