University of Michigan - Michiganensian Yearbook (Ann Arbor, MI)

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HOMELESSNESS by rob capriccioso or one time or another, 1 street corner, freftftl} the hett AiA this happen to him. or Many students thought that homeless people were unmotivated, lazy, dirty, or just plain ignorant . First year ISA student Aradhana Bajrdava asked, Is there really homelessness on the University of Michigan campus? After all, many of us did not or chose not to recognize those situations in life that did not have a direct affect onus. Students were often taken aback as homeless people asked for spare change. Or, as one anonymous ISA first year stu- dent simply put it, they are frightening. Some students felt obligated to do a good deed for the day and drop a dime or a few pennies into a homeless man ' s can. But what would have happened, if bysome extraordinary circumstance, a young student ended up on a street corner? What if a student were to wear battered shoes for just one day, a week, or for the rest of their lives? What if University students were to join the ranks of the approximately 40,000 homeless people in the southeastern portion of Michigan? ha n ' t seen d A.A, ont twnft on Atuetty pondering Greg Kessler A homeless woman sorts through a Univer- sity trash receptacle on the corner of South University and State Street to find cans. The aluminum cans were returned to collect the ten cent refund. in Students did not contemplate if they would have a home, instead they spent hours looking for the perfect house or apartment. Homeless people, however, sat on the corner near Taco Bell waiting for food to be thrown out at the end of night. I think they should go get a job. Ann Arbor is full of employment opportu- nities and instead they are just sit- ting there waiting for money to come to them, said junior Business School student Mike Langdon. University students involved them- selves with the homeless as tutors, through bucket drives, working at the Huron Street shelter, or serving food at a local church. Project Serve sponsored Community Plunge, an event where students could work at the Huron street shelter. Habitat for Humanity, another organization students were involved in, dedicated their time to re- building abandoned homes in hopes that homeless families could move into them. It ' s wonderful that people have volunteered their time to give others what we have and they don ' t, said sophomore nursing student Kristy Wierzba. Greg Kessler Homelessness 103

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A homeless man searches through a plastic bag of his few belongings. Many of Ann Arbor ' s homeless found refuge under trees and scattered places on Uni- versity property. An Ann Arbor homeless man, thankful for the warm temperatures, sleeps on church stairs in the afternoon. Ann Arbor ' s homeless relied on local churches or the Huron Street shelter for a place to stay. 102 Voices

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Parking garages are notorious spots for crime. Students worried about assault and car theft in the dimly lit parking structures around campus, often choos- ing to park on a better lit street. The Daily often covers crimes on cam- pus. Students armed themselves with knowledge of safety and power in num- bers as well as pepper spray and noise makers for safety. 104 Voices