By Gail Peckler-Dziki
Correspondent
Homelessness is an issue faced by a significant number of local residents and Gateway Technical College has an event planned this month to raise awareness of the problem.
Statewide, homelessness in 2018 was down six percent from 2017. In 2017, there were 3,348 homeless. That number dropped to 3,147 in 2018.
However, in two of three local counties, the number of homeless was higher in 2018.
In Kenosha County homelessness is up 16 percent from 167 in January of 2017 to 194 in January of 2018. The Racine County numbers are even higher, with homelessness rising by 42 percent from 194 in 2017 to 275 in 2018.
The number of homeless in Rock and Walworth counties was 338 in 2018, down from 370 the previous year.
Gateway Technical College is participating in the National Day of Service on Jan. 25 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. to raise public awareness about homelessness and give area residents a pathway to help their neighbors.
The event is held in conjunction with Martin Luther King Day, which is widely considered to be a national day of service. Communities in all 50 states encourage residents to engage in volunteer work.
Each of Gateway Technical College’s three campuses will host service projects related to homelessness. Students, staff and area residents can form volunteer teams of six to learn about homelessness in our region while completing tasks at four stations to create items that homeless people need.
At Station 1, volunteers will pack hygiene bags; at Station 2 volunteers will make a warm scarf; at Station 3 they’ll work together to complete a no-sew tie blanket; and, at Station 4, they’ll create an action statement to encourage further efforts.
The volunteer groups will have overlapping one-hour shifts that start every 30 minutes to complete the tasks at each station. The plan is to pack 100 hygiene bags per campus, 100 scarves per campus, and create 30-plus blankets.
All items will be distributed to homeless shelters in Kenosha, Racine and Walworth Counties.
According to those who track homelessness, not all homeless people sleep on the streets or in vehicles. Some live in a hotel or motel room. Some families are split up, with different family members sleeping at different addresses with friends or other relatives.
To be homeless is defined as not having a permanent address. Homelessness occurs through many avenues, including domestic violence, abuse, death of a parent, job loss or debilitating illness.
Officials with Gateway hope to marshal area resources and residents to provide a pathway for those who want to aid their neighbors who are in trouble, no matter the reason.
This event is supported by Gateway Technical College students, faculty, and staff, Thrivent Financial Action Team, United Way of Kenosha County, United Way of Racine County, United Way of Walworth County, Kenosha Community Health Center, and Delta Sigma Theta.
Anyone interested in sponsoring an activity, station, or other aspects of the event should contact Madeline Carrera at 262-564-3138.
Participants must register prior to the event online at gtc.givepulse.com, click on the events tab.
