(PDF) (DOC) (JPG)November 6, 2007

(Mahwah) – Each year Ramapo College of New Jersey recognizes National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week.  This year, events will take place Tuesday, November 13 through Thursday, November 15.  During this week, strides will be taken to better inform the public of the importance of helping those in need.  With the combined effort of local communities, hunger and homelessness can be decreased dramatically.  Participation in the planned activities will help to gain a better understanding of these issues and motivate people to become involved.

This past July, Senator Frank Lautenberg and Senator Mel Martinez passed a resolution designating November as “National Homeless Youth Awareness Month.” There are between 1.3 and 2.8 million homeless children across the country, which is approximately one-third of the entire homeless population.  Of those, New Jersey has more than 13,000 homeless children.

Activities for the week will include:

Tuesday, November 13, 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Meals on Wheels Basket Distribution
There will be a campus wide call for student groups and organizations to assemble Thanksgiving food baskets for Meals on Wheels in Hackensack.  Baskets are needed for both low-income individuals and large families.

Wednesday, November 14, 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. – Faces of Hunger and Homelessness – H Wing Auditorium
A panel of current and former homeless people will assemble to speak about their experiences with homelessness.  The audience will have the opportunity to address the panel with questions.

Thursday, November 15, 2:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. – Social Welfare Simulation – Room SC-219
Students will experience what it is like to live on welfare for a month in an interactive, role-play situation.  Participants will feel the pressure of living in a low-income environment and decide whether the system works for them.

Thursday, November 15, 9:30 p.m. – 7 a.m. – A Night Without a Home:  Box City – Lawn in front of Pine/Linden/Laurel Student Residences
A group of student volunteers will spend twelve hours living outdoors in boxes. The use of cell phones, iPods or other portable devices will be prohibited during this time. In order to reflect on the severity of the situation, the students will spend time writing in journals.  A candlelight vigil will also be held to honor homeless women and children and to raise awareness about this issue.

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About Ramapo College

Ramapo College of New Jersey is the state’s premier public liberal arts college and is committed to academic excellence through interdisciplinary and experiential learning, and international and intercultural understanding. The comprehensive college is situated among the beautiful Ramapo Mountains, is within commuting distance to New York City, was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful College Campuses in America by CondeNast Traveler, and boasts the best on-campus housing in New Jersey per Niche.com. Established in 1969, Ramapo College offers bachelor’s degrees in the arts, business, data science, humanities, social sciences and the sciences, as well as in professional studies, which include business, education, nursing and social work. In addition, the College offers courses leading to teacher certification at the elementary and secondary levels, and offers graduate programs leading to master’s degrees in Accounting, Applied Mathematics, Business Administration, Contemporary Instructional Design, Computer Science, Creative Music Technology, Data Science, Educational Leadership, Nursing, Social Work and Special Education, as well as a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

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