HOMELESS FOR A NIGHT

"Homeless for a Night” is an opportunity for students to take action on the homeless problem. Those who participate will spend a night at KISD Stadium to discuss, think, and learn about homelessness. Although one night outside can in no way simulates homelessness, this awareness-raising activity can promote advocacy, protest, and education. All students must attend a Keller ISD High School to participate.

You are expected to complete the online registration form (at the bottom under documents), and the following will be asked for upon arrival:

1. Donation Form (Get as many sponsors as you can. You would be surprised who is willing to donate. Ask your friends, neighbors, family, etc. to sponsor you by donating at least $1 for every hour you are at the event (8 hours). They can donate more than that amount, if desired, or can even donate new or gently used blankets. You must have at least 4 sponsors willing to donate at least $1 per hour you are homeless or bring five new or gently used blankets to donate instead. All participants are required to give the minimum donation.) MINIMUM DONATION = $30 OR 5 BLANKETS OR 2 SLEEPING BAGS
2. Signed Permission/Media Waiver and Acknowledgement of the rules.
3. You must turn in your car keys, cell phones, and any other electronic device. They will be sealed in plastic baggies and returned upon departure.
4. You may bring one cardboard shelter which you may use with your blanket(s) to stay warm. Upon departure you will be expected to take your boxes to the recycle bin.

If you want to participate but have questions about the above regulations, contact Ms. Katie Keyes at jerris.barnes@kellerisd.net, or at 817-744-2324.

All participants will be expected to follow the following rules:

1. ABSOLUTELY NO alcohol or illegal substances are permitted at the event.
2. No one will be allowed to leave the premise after registering (unless parents are contacted)
3. During sleeping hours, students will only be allowed to camp with the same gender. Boys will be on the north end of the field (near the scoreboard) and girls will be on the south end of the field (near the flagpole).
4. All school rules apply and just remember to be courteous and respectful to those around you.

Tentative Agenda:

• 11:00 p.m. Registration
• 12:00 p.m. Begin Program
• 1:00 a.m. Soup Kitchen/hot drinks and water available
• 5:30 a.m. Wake-up/Clean-up
• 7:00 a.m. Dismissal

Homeless for a Night

Brought to you by KISD Student Councils

As today's students face a world filled with global conflict, disappearing jobs, skyrocketing education costs, and increasing poverty in America, action is more crucial than ever. We know hunger and homelessness are increasing epidemics plaguing the United States - striking Americans of every age, ethnicity, and religion, hitting urban and rural communities alike.

As many as 3.5 million Americans are homeless each year. Of these, more than 1.35 million are children, and on any given night, more than 300,000 children are homeless. While the general impression is that the homeless are primarily the chronic and episodic, those unfortunate individuals often seen living on the streets in the downtown areas of our cities, the fact is that more than half the homeless are families with children. Homelessness is, in fact, caused by tragic life occurrences like the loss of loved ones, job loss, domestic violence, divorce and family disputes. Other impairments such as depression, untreated mental illness, post-traumatic stress disorder, and physical disabilities are also responsible for a large portion of the homeless. Many factors push people into living on the street. Acknowledging these can help facilitate the end of homelessness in America.

The combination of the high cost of living, low-wage jobs, and high unemployment rates only exacerbate these problems and force countless Americans to choose between food, housing, and other expenses. Studies show that money devoted to food is typically the first to be sacrificed. Families will often pay their fixed payments first, such as rent and utilities, rather than pay for food. Bread for the World reported that 35% of Americans had to choose between food and rent, while 28% had to choose between medical care and food.

Unfortunately, these problems will only continue to grow if our society does not make it a national priority to address them. The National Coalition for the Homeless (http://www.nationalhomeless.org) has developed an acronym of how people can help end homelessness by simply CAREing.

• C – Contribute (food drives, money, etc.,)
• A – Advocate
• R – Reach Out (volunteering)
• E – Educate

Through Homeless for a Night, we are focusing on all of those areas.

KISD STUDENTS HAVE DECIDED TO TAKE AN ACTIVE ROLE IN DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THE HOMELESS PROBLEM.

Who is Homeless and Why?

The homeless population includes people from all walks of life:

• In the U.S., more than 3.5 million people experience homelessness each year.
• Families with children, which is the fastest growing segment of the homeless population.
• 25% are U.S. military veterans.
• 39% are children under the age of 18 years.
• 20% have experienced domestic violence.
• 26% suffer from mental illness.
• 13% are physically disabled.
• 20% are employed.
• 9% are in rural areas.
• In urban communities, people experience homelessness for an average of eight months.