Homeless For A Night 2019

It is that time again. The Leadership Class students have selected Saturday, Sept. 28, for their annual Homeless Night. Homeless For a Night is an opportunity for students to take action on the homeless problem. Those who participate will spend a night in front of the Pioneer Museum to discuss, think and learn about homelessness. Although one night outside can in no way simulate homelessness, this awareness-raising activity can promote advocacy, protest and education.

During the event, which will be from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., the students are collecting new or gently used blankets for the Montana Rescue Mission in Billings, a homeless shelter for women and children. They are also collecting monetary donations, with a goal of $25 per student participating for a total of $400, which will be donated to Jackie Bird, to assist her in covering the postage for care packages for military personnel stationed overseas. For those who would like to donate monetary funds, checks can be made payable to GHS and mailed to the high school, P.O. Box 28, or dropped off at the main office. Food donations will also be accepted for the food bank during the evening event.

Homelessness is defined as the condition of not having a permanent place to live; only recently perceived as a societal problem. Estimates of the number of homeless people in the U.S. range from 1.5 to 3 million and the problem exists in all major cities and a growing number of smaller communities. The number of homeless people in the U.S. increased in 2017, which was the first increase in seven years. In 2018, 17 out of every 10,000 people were homeless.