FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nov. 18, 2003
CONTACT: Carol Anderson
carol.anderson@emich.edu
734.487.4400

EMU Students Stage Sleep Out, Nov. 19-20, to Focus on Homelessness

YPSILANTI - Forget the comforts of home and leave all that electronic gear behind. It will be a night to remember when Eastern Michigan University students rough it during the eighth annual Sleep Out, Wednesday, Nov. 19. The volunteers will sleep in cardboard boxes, using only one blanket per person, in an effort to focus on homelessness.

The Sleep Out begins at 1 p.m. by the kiosk near EMU’s Pray-Harrold Building and wraps up Thursday, Nov. 20, at 8 a.m.
EMU’s Volunteers Incorporating Service Into Our Neighborhoods (VISION) Office and the Students Against Hunger and Homelessness are sponsoring the event in observance of National Hunger and Homelessness Week, Nov. 16-22. Donationswill also be accepted.

The biggest rise in homelessness is for young mothers and children, said Peggy Harless, EMU VISION program coordinator. She cited the economy and lack of jobs, a transient population, the necessity of both grandparents working and the lack of affordable childcare for creating mother/child homelessness.

“We hope to motivate people to volunteer to make a change in homelessness either through the political system or direct service,” said Harless. “This is really a different world from 20-30 years ago.”

VISION is part of McKenny Union and Campus Life at Eastern Michigan University. Participants become involved in community service and service-learning on local and national levels. For further information, contact Peggy Harless at 734.487.3045.

Eastern Michigan University is a public, comprehensive metropolitan university that offers programs in the arts, sciences and professions. EMU prepares students with the intellectual skills and practical experiences to succeed in their careers and lives, and to be better citizens.

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