Thurs., Feb. 20, 2003

 

MWCC STUDENTS TO HOLD FORUM ON HOMELESSNESS

 

(GARDNER)— Due to inclement weather, Mount Wachusett Community College’s Presidential Forum on Homelessness has been re-scheduled to Thurs., Mar. 6, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the north cafeteria.

As part of Mount Wachusett Community College’s Decade of Civic Engagement Initiative, about 100 MWCC students from criminal justice, psychology, speech, early childhood education and also students from Fitchburg State College will hear from a panel of experts on the issue.

The event is part of the nationwide, “Raise Your Voice,” campaign designed to encourage students to speak out on issues important to their future. The campaign is being launched on 600 college and university campuses across the country during Raise Your Voice – A Week of Action, February 16 – 22. The Raise Your Voice campaign is sponsored by Campus Compact, a national coalition of more than 850 college and university presidents. Mount Wachusett Community President Daniel M. Asquino serves as co-chair of Massachusetts Campus Compact. “The Mount has always played a pivotal role in our communities,” said Asquino. “The Raise Your Voice initiative gives our students the opportunity to embrace an issue, learn about it and try to improve their own communities. They chose homelessness and I am very proud of the effort they have put into organizing this event.”

“As I look around the Mount, I see lots of faces and I ask myself, ‘Who are the faces of homelessness? Is the empty seat next to me because someone is suddenly homeless,’” said MWCC Civic Engagement Student Liaison Susan Sayball. “Knowing others are outside freezing, for many reasons, while I sleep in a warm bed, is what motivates me. You never know who is, has been or will be homeless- that thought sends shivers down my spine,” she added.

Sayball worked with fellow MWCC student Michael Marston in organizing the event. “I read the studies on homelessness and was shocked at the number of people who were without a home, without hope, and without help,” said Marston. “The truth is, when the number of homeless families and young children living just a short drive away finally sunk in, it was like a splash of freezing water on my soul and I wanted to know what I could do to help,” he added.

Panelists for the event include the Rev. John J. Leahy of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Gardner and Joseph Cannon of the North Central Housing Coalition will speak on, "Who are the Homeless in North Central Massachusetts?" MWCC Professor of Criminal Justice Elena Natalizia will address the connection between homelessness and crime. Barbara Garneau of Our Father's House in Fitchburg will speak about, "One Answer to the Call for Help in Our Community." Leslie Lawrence of the Mass Coalition for Homelessness will lead students in a call to action.

The Raise Your Voice campaign will also provide students with ideas, information and tools that will help them become more aware and involved citizens including a new Web site, www.actionforchange.org that features information and links to volunteer and civic opportunities.

For more information on the forum on homelessness, call Susan McAlpine at (978) 630-9219.