The global problems of hunger and homelessness will be brought to the fore on campus this week in a series of activities designed to raise consciousness about those issues. Events include a student fast, talks, an exhibit of artworks by homeless people and a volunteer project in which students and homeless citizens of New Haven will work together on a community garden at a homeless shelter.
The events have been organized by the Yale Hunger and Homelessness Action Project (YHHAP) as part of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week. YHHAP hosts a week-long series of events twice each year, once in the fall and again in the spring.
The week's events begin on Monday, April 13, with an exhibition of artworks created by homeless people as part of Project Renewal in New York City. The exhibition will open at 7:30 p.m. in Rm. 119 of William L. Harkness Hall (WLH), 100 Wall St. At 8 p.m. that evening, Della Mitchell of the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless, Women's Empowerment Project will talk on the topic "A Homeless Challenge for Change" in Rm. 119 WLH.
On Tuesday, April 14, participating Yale students will "fast" by donating their meal plan for the day. This event will raise money for hunger and homelessness organizations worldwide. An educational fair will begin at lunch time on the Cross Campus Library lawn. Participants in the fast are invited to a "Break-fast" at 8:30 p.m. in the dining hall of Calhoun College, 189 Elm St. The event will feature free Ben & Jerry's ice cream and music.
Ronald Sider, professor of theology at Eastern Baptist Seminary and author of "Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger: A Biblical Study," will be featured at two events on Wednesday, April 15. He will address the question "Is There Hope for the Poor in America?" at 4:30 p.m. in the library of Dwight Hall, 67 High St. At 8 p.m., he will explore the topic "Rich Christians, Global Hunger, Market Economies: Does God Care?" in Levinson Auditorium of the Law School, 127 Wall St. (See Visiting on Campus, page 6.)
A panel discussion about New Haven's homeless and Yale-New Haven relations will take place on Thursday, April 16, at 5 p.m. in Rm. 119 WLH. Speakers include Susan Zavadsky, reporter for the New Haven Register; Robert Solomon, clinical professor of law and supervising attorney at the Law School; Michael Morand, associate secretary for education and human development in the Office of New Haven Affairs; Andrew Levels, a homeless advocate with We the People; and Barbara Morton, a captain in the Yale Police department.
Yale Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week will conclude on Friday, April 17, with two events. From
1 p.m. to 5 p.m., students and homeless residents of New Haven will work together on a community garden at Columbus House, a New Haven homeless shelter located at 200 Columbus Ave. The work will be done in two, two-hour shifts. Buses will leave for Columbus House at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. from Dwight Hall.
At 8 p.m. that evening, there will be a candlelight vigil for social action, titled "A Call to Conscience." The vigil will be held on the Cross Campus Library lawn.
For more information about Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week, call Shayna Silverstein at 436-1512.
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