Shantytown opens its doors, students' minds

Chuck Sambuchino
Senior News Editor

Every fall for over a decade, Xavier clubs and organizations have been getting cold and dirty with Shantytown, a yearly event where students raise awareness about homelessness by sleeping outside and planning events.

"This is something our campus needs," said co-coordinator junior Amanda Corzine. "As a campus, we’re too secluded from the community."

This year, over 30 groups have sponsored a shanty and are participating in a full week of events happening on the academic mall.

On Sunday afternoon, the masses gathered on the mall to transform cardboard slabs and wooden crates into makeshift shelters, which they are encouraged to sleep in during the upcoming nights.

"We have comforts like sleeping bags and the shanties themselves, but it’s still hard," said junior Khalil El-Bathy, a representative from the Muslim Student Association. "I can only begin to imagine what it’s like to be homeless."

Monday is filled with two panels during the evening, one about the Over the Rhine service learning students, and the other about addressing community homelessness.

On Tuesday, Xavier’s academic day, Shantytown is implementing something new. This is the first year there will be a service project day.

"We’re very excited about Tuesday," said Corzine. "With this many clubs participating, it should be a great turnout."

At 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, students can partake in a food distribution activity in Alter, followed by an MSA speaker at 7:30 p.m.

The week culminates on Saturday, with Community Action Day from 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. At 11:30 p.m. each day, there will be reflections on the mall organized by Pax Christi and Namaste.

Corzine also addressed how in years past, Shantytown has gathered criticism by angry students who feel sleeping outside is a mockery of the homeless.

She was eager to set things straight, "The event is not meant to be representative. It’s people coming together to raise consciousness and find a solution.

Co-coordinator Chris Penna also spoke about concerns, "If I could stress one thing, it’s that this event isn’t all about sleeping out. It’s geared towards raising our and other people’s awareness of the problems of homelessness."

If you have any questions about the week, please call Penna at 631-8116 or Corzine at 745-5904.