A voice for the homeless

By Aitor Zabalegui

According to a 2005 statement given by Miloon Kothari, Special Reporter on Adequate Housing, to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, over one billion people around the world lack adequate housing and around 100 million people are completely homeless.

Homelessness can be caused by a number of different factors. Most become homeless due to poverty, substance abuse, or a lack of affordable housing or job opportunities. Although health care may be the biggest concern surrounding the homeless, social theorists have attempted to devise solutions to the issue of homelessness altogether. The Santa Clara Community Action Program along with the Santa Clara Review, recently sponsored Homelessness Week here at Santa Clara.

The event was organized by SCCAP's Homelessness Department, involving a "Spoken Word & Social Justice" open mic night and a panel discussion concerning the question "Can Homelessness Be Solved?"

There was also an elaborate display in Benson chronicling the issue of homelessness in an attempt to bring awareness to students.

"Our hope at the very least is that people were moved to think about the issue because being in the Bay Area, its something we're all exposed to, even if it's just passing people on the streets," said senior Annie Rovzar, who works in the Homelessness Department.

SCCAP's Homelessness Department has been working with homeless shelters in the San Jose community such as United Hands, Home Safe and New Beginnings.

These programs reach out to the homeless community in an attempt to provide shelter, food, tutoring, friendships and overall enrichment to the lives of both the homeless and to those that volunteer.

Last Tuesday in the Bronco, SCCAP got together with the SCR to hold an open discussion in conjunction with Homelessness Week. Those in attendance were invited to share poetry and give any insight into the plight of the homeless and what local communities can do to help the disenfranchised.

"What most impacted me was watching these different communities and people come together to share their art," said Rozvar when discussing her experience attending the open mic night. "These were homeless people, Santa Clara students, Benson workers and other members of the community all together in one room sharing their stories. Despite our different backgrounds, what stood out to me was just how much we share as human beings."

A panel discussion featuring Professor Elsa Chen of the political science department, Professor John Ifcher of the economics department and Pastor Scott Wagers of the Community Homeless Alliance Ministry was held last Wednesday in the Sobrato Commons.

CHAM is one of the shelters sponsored by SCAAP's Homelessness Department and is located at the San Jose First Christian Church. Rozvar and sophomore Kiley Winses work to coordinate volunteers for the program.

The head coordinator of the Department, junior Amanda Sobrepeña, said that overall, the panel was "a great balance of expertise and knowledge that really tied in and solidified the complexities involved with the causes and potential solutions for ending homelessness."

SCCAP members also made sure to mention how simple and ultimately rewarding it is to get involved. Sobrepeña spoke of how monetary donations are a helpful first step in taking action, but as privileged and able beings, she believes that people can do so much more.

"I encourage and challenge people to become more knowledgeable about the issues surrounding homelessness -- to learn about the root causes, who is affected most, what has been done by the different actors in our society and what else needs to be and should be done," she said.

Joining SCCAP is probably the most readily available way that students can get involved with their community through various programs for volunteering both on and off campus. Homelessness week was one of many quarterly events put on by SCCAP.

"I've been able to meet some incredible individuals on the street who I am just fortunate to have been let into their lives," said Rovzar. "Everyone has an incredible story to tell, if only we are willing to listen to them."

Contact Aitor Zabalegui at azabalgui@scu.edu or (408) 551-1918.