Trip #1: Urban Immersion Exercise (2016-17, T2)

We are officially into Trimester 2 of the 2016-17 school year, so we now have a new group of seniors beginning the course. If you need a refresher on what this blog is, jump back to our first post.

On Thursday, December 1, students traveled to Lakeview to undertake an urban immersion exercise, centered on Clark & Belmont. This activity is inspired by The Night Ministry, who have found that homeless teens use this neighborhood and intersection as a frequent meeting point and try to fend for themselves from there.

Students had the following information:

Your group will imagine that you together are one homeless teenager – you are roving around Lakeview by yourself, with only the clothes on your bag and $5 in your pocket (without knowing where your next money is coming from). Keep in mind that homeless people often have worn-out clothes, hygiene challenges, and dilemmas over breaking vs. following the laws.

Starting from this meeting point (Clark & Belmont), your group will explore an area of Lakeview (your adult will follow behind you and let you know if you need to turn around). You have 45 minutes to answer the following questions that face homeless teens every day:

1. Where/what am I going to eat?
2. Where am I going to go to the bathroom?
3. Where/how am I going to warm up?
4. Where/how am I going to sleep? 
5. Also, as you explore Lakeview, look around and take in the neighborhood: why do you think it is an attractive environment for homeless teenagers?

Representing our class this week on our blog, here are the thoughts of Emily DeMuth, Maisha Kasole, and Stefani Tabar...

Emily DeMuth

On December 1st, 2016, my classmates and I went on a trip to Lakeview. This is a place where homeless teens come and meet up. While I was on this trip, I had to think about where these teens slept, used the bathroom, and ate. We split up into groups to find these different places that would help.

In my group we went to three different places. The area that we were in didn’t have many stores or facilities, but there were lots of houses. The first place that we found was one of the public libraries in the area. Here, I was able to talk to a librarian about how this place helped homeless teens. I was told that the teens that came here could have access to the drinking fountain, the bathroom, and the computers. The second place we stopped by was a learning center of a community college. Here, our group learned that anyone who came here had access to bathrooms and, if they wished, could sign up for tutoring. The education they provided there was free. The last place our group went to was the 44th Ward office. The people there said they would not let homeless teens use the bathroom, but they said that they would help send them to a shelter in the area. While I was there, I didn’t see too many homeless people at that time, and I couldn't see any obvious reason that this was happening.

From an economic point of view, I could see that larger companies had more to provide or give because of their standards. I know that from a social point of view, that the homeless are mostly ignored and are brushed aside because of the state they’re in. I think that teens that are homeless are mostly LGBTQ+ because they are either kicked out of their house or scared to return home. Lastly, from a cultural point of view, I think that the way the public or our society acts towards the homeless only makes it worse, because we are not acknowledging them enough.

I want to connect this journey with a story when the people told Jesus not to associate with sinners but he did so anyway. I think this relates to the trip because here, the people that we talked to wanted to help the homeless even when others did not want to. This could inspire others to do as he did and acknowledge the homeless more even if it is something small like a simple hello.

With what I saw and learned, I want to be honest. I feel very sad about how we are treating the homeless and I want to change that. For some reason, I feel like it’s hard to change that. Seeing someone in a state like that makes me feel unsafe for one reason or another that I don't know, and I feel awful. I don’t want to feel that. I don’t directly relate to the homeless in the fact that I’ve been without necessities, but understand what it’s like to be overlooked or ignored.

I think that we can change this by finding places that people can help in the closest way they can. If we could find shelters or organizations that people could easily provide for, we could close the gap. We could also ask how they homeless are doing. It could help make things more positive and set a good example for others.

Maisha Kasole

On December 1, 2016, our Catholic Social Teaching class was invited to experience the life and choices of homeless teenagers in the Boystown area of Chicago. After walking around a bit in the neighborhood, we met two crossing guards who told us that a lot homeless teenagers were part of the LGBTQ community, and got kicked out by their own parents. Some homeless teenagers just got out of foster care or could no longer be supported by their family. One of the crossing guards told us that it’s part of why the kids choose to come to the neighborhood. After being repudiated, abused, neglected, or violated by those who are supposed to love them most, these homeless teenagers turn to what they perceive as a safe environment from discrimination. Boystown provides homeless teenagers, whether they are part of the LGBTQ community or not, with a safe and relatively welcoming environment.

In addition to sexual discrimination, teenage homelessness is also caused by economic reasons. Whether it’s because their families refuse or are unable to support them, most homeless teenagers have no way to provide for themselves. The social stigma against the homeless makes it even harder for them to find a job and lawfully earn money. When they turn to stealing in order to survive, society punishes them through incarcerations, lead by a misguided thirst for justice, instead of trying to rehabilitate them to society. Historically speaking, our judicial system has always discriminated against the poor and vulnerable, because they couldn’t afford good lawyers to argue their innocence or a fair sentence. Homeless teenagers are thrown by our judicial system in-and-out of juvie, which just adds to the common perception that they are untrustworthy. Indeed, many of the small business owners in Boystown said that while they wished to help homeless teenagers and did so through charities, because they wanted to be sure their money went to a good cause. The cycle of distrust between those small business owners and homeless teenagers is just a symptom of the larger problem in our society, when it comes to social stigma against the poor.

As Christians, we are called to love our neighbors like ourselves, and we are expected to understand that the homeless teenager begging on the street is also our neighbor. The Parable of the Good Samaritan does a great job at illustrating how we should treat the homeless. Christ calls us to show mercy to the destitute, especially the vulnerable homeless teenager. We must act as good samaritans and honor them, perhaps not by pouring oil and wine on them, but by acknowledging them as human beings and lending them a hand. From this directive, two themes of Catholic Social Teaching come to mind: Solidarity and Preferential Option for the Marginalized and the Poor. Through these two themes, we are called to respond with love and mindfulness towards all people as our brothers and sisters, as well as to consider the poor in all the decisions we make as individuals, as a community, and as a society.

Personally, I believe that nobody should have to live on the street, if they don’t wish to. A lot of homeless teenagers are not given the choice. For my entire life, I have been granted the safety of a home. It’s my duty to not just help them, but realize that the only difference between us is that I was lucky enough to still have a home. I believe Christ calls me to respond with gratitude towards my family and love towards those who aren’t as lucky as I am. In the United States, there are 1.6 million homeless teenagers for a variety of reasons. According to the National Network for Youth, family disfunction, sexual abuse, aging out of foster care, juvenile justice system involvement, and economic hardship are the main causes of teenage homelessness. I believe that the best way to bridge the gap between social reality and what he hope for is to elect officials who actually care about the homeless. We need to create more laws in order to protect them instead of laws to ostracize them.

Stefani Tabar

Last Thursday was our first activity or outing we did as a class. We got to explore the neighborhood of Lakeview but in a different way. We walked around trying to find shelter, food, a bathroom, and other assistance to survive as a homeless teenager. As we learned in class, this area is very well known for two things; one being Boystown, and the other for the high percentage or rate of homeless teenagers. Even though it is hard for teenagers or anyone who is homeless to get by, this area has some features to help those in need such as late hours, open public bathrooms, and guidance to nearest shelters. Even though I didn’t see any teens in this situation, I can only imagine how hard it can be to live like this at a young age.

Lakeview is a very popular area due to the LGBTQ community that has a very strong presence in this neighborhood and is still growing. In this area, there are many stores that are common to us like Walgreens, Starbucks, Marshalls, etc. When we did the activity, the area was under a lot of construction, and new buildings are going up that are going to house more common stores. This part of the city is open to anyone no matter what race, sexuality, or gender you are because of the LGBTQ community, but it is still difficult to live as a homeless teenager in this area. Even though there are shelters in place, teenagers most likely would not want to go and stay at a shelter. If they are in a popular neighborhood where they can try to survive, they will, yet it is a challenge. They might feel left out because they might feel different from the others since some teens could be gay, lesbian, or transgender and have no one to relate with. This could be one of the reasons why they would want to stay on the streets rather than being in the shelter.

In Matthew 25:35 it states, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” I believe this passage can relate to this situation because we see homeless people everyday and they go unnoticed. It is our duty as Catholics or believers in the faith, to help one another no matter who it may be. I believe if someone were to be walking through the Lakeview area and saw a homeless teen, they wouldn’t do anything about it. It’s times like those where someone can stand up and be a voice to all and to show everyone that it is okay to help someone who needs help. Like in the scripture passage, they were a stranger and they were welcomed; if one person were to help one teen who was struggling, that would help greatly. You don’t need to be part of a faith to help anyone who is homeless or marginalized because it should be a natural instinct as humans to help one another. It is greatly emphasized on Catholics because we are called to be good people and the littlest amount of help can go a long way.

In some research I have done, I found that 15,000 teens are homeless in Chicago and 3,000 of those are part of the LGBTQ community. One of the most difficult things to hear is that someone who is transgender is not allowed to use a restroom because of their situation. It bothers me even more to think that many of those people are homeless and aren't treated fairly. Knowing that there are that many teenagers in this city who are struggling makes me take a step back from my life and not take anything for granted. The activity really opened my eyes and now that I am aware of the situation, I can do whatever I need to do to help. I wish to sometime in the future to help those teenagers who are struggling to find a place to reside or to call home because everyone deserves a place where they feel comfortable and can be themselves no matter who they are.

One thing I think we should do as humans if we come across this is to give them guidance. Since the issue we are dealing with is directed more towards teenagers, they need nothing more than guidance. This can be by talking to them and getting to know them or helping them get back on their feet. I think a great thing for those who are in this position is to get active in a church since most churches have food pantries or give out lunches during the day or dinner at night. I also think another way to help this problem is to build a shelter exclusively for teenagers around 13 to 18 years of age. This will help because depending on your sexual orientation or what you identify as, it will eliminate the judgement that some will receive from adults in a regular shelter. They will have a judgement-free environment where everyone is accepted for who they are.

Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.

Check us out on Instagram - @StBenCYM #SoJuVo

Seniors out on their first outing, our Urban Immersion Exercise in Lakeview #SoJuVo

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on Dec 1, 2016 at 11:58am PST

Checking in with some local food service folks to keep learning in Lakeview #SoJuVo

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on Dec 1, 2016 at 12:30pm PST

Trip #8: Habitat for Humanity (2015-16, T3)

On Friday, May 27, students from our class traveled to the Pullman neighborhood to work on the Habitat for Humanity houses. Students assisted with painting, cutting, siding installation, and more, under the guidance of the Habitat team. Part of this block of houses is the Pope Francis Home Challenge house - an anonymous donor put up $60,000 and challenged Habitat and Chicago to match the donation with their own fundraising. Check out the status of the challenge here.

Here are some thoughts from Randy Hang, Brahim Fall, and Sylvester Trotter...

#SoJuVo doing work @habitatchicago

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on May 27, 2016 at 8:35am PDT

Randy Hang

For this week's service, we volunteered to help an organization called Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity is an organization that builds homes for those with low income and sells them for a price that is affordable for families. Many families around the world suffer from having a low income and with organizations like them helps gives every family around the world a chance to live the same.
To be living in a large city like Chicago, it’s hard to be able to afford a house, especially when you are single. With a flexible payment plan, many families could be able to live the same life just like any other family with a income able to purchase a home. Those who are poor have to worry about where they will be living next if they aren’t able to next month’s rent. Habitat for Humanity helps solve this problem. Families are able to take advantage of the help that Habitat for Humanity is able to provide.

In my theology class, I’ve learned many Catholic Social Teachings. For this service trip, I could tie in Preferential Option for the Poor and Marginalized and Dignity/Value of Human Life. We should all care for each other as if we were brothers and sisters and share what we have. Even if it’s just sharing our time, because through something simply like that we could help everyone to live the same lifestyle. In the Preferential Option for the Poor and Marginalized, Christ calls us to consider the poor and marginalized in every decision we make personally, community, and socially. For Dignity/Value of Human Life, Christ calls us to view and treat all human life as inherently and completely valuable in all forms at all stages of life. 

In order for us all to recognize those who need the help, we need to understand the Catholic teachings. As we understand the teachings, we could then start with giving a hand to the poor and help. Organizations like Habitat for Humanity are a wonderful way to help and enact the teaching that the Church offers.

Brahim Fall

On friday, I went with my Catholic Social Teaching class members to work on a Habitat for Humanity project. We met at school at 7am and used the school bus. A lot of students were missing, and others chose not to go, but that did not stop us from participating in this trip to volunteer for Habitat on the south side of Chicago. When we arrived, we realized that there were some houses that were already finished, and others were still in the process of construction. For example, one of the new houses just needed to be painted.

It was our choice to decide to help on this trip and put hard work and effort into it. It was our decision. Some members of my group chose to work outside, some inside, and others were painting the ceiling and the corners of the walls. Randy and I were working as inside painters with Brittany. We each painted the ceiling with the rollers and white paint. We made sure that we were doing the best job we could because we knew these houses were very important. Randy, Brittany and I made sure to take our time, but to work efficiently to make sure that we got done what we had to do.

After we had been working what seemed like a long time, we took a break around 11:00 am. I was starving, and I hadn’t packed any food because I wasn’t trying to be late on this trip. Luckily one of the people from the Habitat crew got me a nice Chicago Hot dog. I appreciated it very much. Then they explained to us how the houses are fixed up and sold to people who do not earn enough to afford a stable, comfortable, and nice house to live in. Habitat is able to continue this program because of the money that they get from the donations they receive. This allows them to get the proper supplies and necessities to do the work and get it done well.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you?” (Matthew 25:34-40). This quote goes really well with our trip because we helped to build homes for people in need. We helped to provide shelter for the less fortunate and it showed us that hard work really does go a long way.

It felt good knowing that my effort of working in these house as a volunteer will help someone to have a clean house, safe home and to have a better life.

Sylvester Trotter

Last week me and my classmates participated in Habitat for Humanity. In Habitat, they go to lower income areas and build affordable homes for people in that area. When we arrived, I immediately felt connected to the neighborhood. I live not that far from the houses we were building and as a child went to church right up the street on 119th. It felt great knowing that I was giving back to this community that gave me so much. I know tons of kids and families that struggle to keep a stable household and pay for it too. Many houses on the south side can either be really nice or horrible. Most of the time they’re not in the best condition. Since it wasn’t a lot of us, we had double the work. Most of the houses had been built, so a good portion of my class wanted to paint.

I somewhat feel implicated in marginalizing these people. This group is pushed to the edge socially since people will not take time of their day to communicate with them; business owners will not allow them into their homes; citizens reject them as they ask for change. However, I believe these people receive much help compared to other groups. For example, Franciscan Outreach gives homeless people in Chicago a place to stay for a night as well as providing for them a nice, warm meal. Similarly, Habitat for Humanity helps low-income persons receive a home with no interest payments. In addition, the government tries to help these people. For example, when my parents were at the verge of losing their homes, they were able to declare bankruptcy, which meant that they could eliminate all or some of their debts such as their house debts, which goes to show that the government tries to help those in need financially. Because of the help homeless people receive, but the way society pushes them off, I am implicated somewhat in marginalizing this group.

Even though I feel as if this group is somewhat marginalized, I still believe that we should help them in every way we can, since Christ asks us to shelter those who are homeless, and he emphasizes helping those in need, which is seen through the story of the rich young man (Mark 10:17-22). We can help those who are homeless by volunteering at a pantry, helping construct a home for those who need it, or by incorporating these people in our lives by talking to them as we approach the train.

After this trip I felt that since I live so close and I’m so impacted by the work Habitat for Humanity has done, that I’ll go help just in my spare time.

Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.

Experience #7: Full-Time Volunteer Service Panel (2015-16, T3)

On Thursday, May 19, we had visitors from Franciscan Outreach come to our class: Dan and Katie, two full-time volunteers, Merrill, the volunteer coordinator, and Megan, the director of the volunteer community. Students had the chance to ask our panelists questions about volunteer life, community life, and working directly with marginalized people. Here are some thoughts from Brittany Parker and Thien Han...

Brittany Parker

This week four people that worked at Franciscan Outreach came to visit us and talk to us about their lives there. They told us about their living situations and how they live off their money. They don’t pay rent, but every two weeks, they get paid and receive a weekly $50 stipend and $25 a month for public transit. They’re supposed to live off only their stipend so they can connect with the guests that come to stay at the shelter.

It’s an amazing thing that these people volunteer to help other people that they don’t even know. It’s really incredible to me that they can love random people and want to genuinely help them out of the kindness in their hearts. Nowadays people are so heartless, and they don’t care about anything or anyone. That’s why things turn out so inadequate in life, because people are so darn careless.

We only care for ourselves, and we don’t care about the world and the people in it because we’re too focused on things like money, power, and all these other materialistic things that don’t mean anything. It’s such a greedy world. There’s no way people should be hitting the lottery for $36 million while there’s people starving in the streets. There’s no way that some people should own planes and yachts while other people don’t have houses. Even if you earned it, you still owe. If I was walking down the street and I had $5,000 on me, I would feel wrong giving a homeless person only a quarter.

After hearing the volunteers talk about their experience at Franciscan Outreach, it has me thinking a lot about what I want to do with my life. I’m seriously thinking about doing some volunteer work over the summer. I’m not sure what I want to do with my life because there’s so many things that I love to do. I love writing, ceramics, acting, photography, and I love helping people but I can’t seem to think of something to do with my life that involves helping people besides being a nurse or doctor. I don’t do well when I see blood and things like that so that life won’t work out for me. However, some volunteer work actually seems like a good place to start.

Doug some interactive learning on full-time service with volunteers visiting us from Franciscan Outreach #SoJuVo

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on May 19, 2016 at 11:20am PDT

Thien Han

Franciscan Outreach takes applications before July every year. The community has a soup kitchen from 5:00 to 6:30 seven days a week, a limited number of beds inside of a shelter for those who don’t have a place to sleep overnight, and laundry service for people need clean clothes for their job or just  to stay clean. Volunteers in here have to treat everyone with respect; everyone is welcome but they have to watch for the people with alcohol to keep the shelter as safe as possible. The people that cannot stand up or who are acting too abnormal will be asked to leave because the community doesn’t have mental care service. (Editor's note: Franciscan Outreach tries to be all-embracing but recognizes that a small percentage of clients may have to severe of mental disabilities or may to severely addicted to peaceably reside at their overnight shelter and are in need of greater help than this particular service can provide.)

The full-time volunteers have to work 40 hours a week, but they have been provided their own bed to stay without any rent fee. They receive $200 per week for groceries, $50 per week as salary, and $25 per month for transit, and this money comes from charity and donations from other good people. When they work in here, they often feel challenged, frustrated, and helpless, but on the other hand, they have more friends, family, and so much other good things in their own lives. As they work in here, they are also learning through working with other people, they can know more kinds of people.

There are two themes of CST are relevant here - Preferential Option for the Poor and Marginalized and Dignity and Value of Human Life. We shouldn't prefer to be poor or treat care for the poor as optional but we must remember there has always been poor people around us no matter where. Jesus calls us to consider the poor in every decision we make, personally, communally, and socially. Although we have not have to become poor ourselves, we must consider the consistent ethic of life that calls us to respect life in all forms at all stages from the beginning to the end. Jesus calls us to view and treat all human life as inherently and valuable in all forms at all stages of life.

First I thought it isn’t fun to have a full-time service commitment, but after talking to them, I have changed my mind, it is fun and also cool when I can make friends with different types of people and become more social, like these volunteers do. I have done some service, but it was only for one day. I know it will feel really good when I help other people and see their smile on their face. Although their outside might not look good, the thing is they often very happy and can be a motivation for me to participate more. We can help these people by donating to the community, ask for help on social media, or just volunteer to these places to give them a hand to help more people without wanting for return. Like Dan (a volunteer at Franciscan Outreach) said, we choose to do because there are massive problems in the society and we must reach our hand out to help.

Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.

Handy guide from our guests to keep everyone's names straight #SoJuVo

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on May 19, 2016 at 12:54pm PDT

Trip #5 & #6: Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services & Franciscan Outreach Marquard Center (2015-16, T3)

On Wednesday, May 4, students from our class visited the Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services facility, Wesley Place, on Foster Ave. We collaborated with their activities department to match seniors (high school students) to seniors (elderly residents) for an art activity. Starting from a conversation/interview led by the student, the seniors and seniors got to know each other for a few minutes. Then, each pair gathered some magazines, stencils, stickers, and more and worked on a poster-board collage with their elderly partner. What follows are some thoughts from Antonio Diaz and Andrew Pendergast.

On Thursday, May 12, students from our class traveled to the Franciscan Outreach Marquard Center to assist the full-time volunteers and staff with various tasks around the center. To support their ministries, which include a 365-day-a-year soup kitchen, shower and laundry facilities, and social work/case management, students pitched in with maintenance, cleaning, clerical work, and more. Since students are entering the big stretch to prepare our final papers, they were exempted from writing reflections for this experience, so pictures are included at the end of this post.

Antonio Diaz

This week in our Catholic Social Teaching class we took a trip down to a senior center. When we got there we had to participate in an exercise with some of the people there. We had to communicate with one of the people living there and ask them what their hobbies were. After that, we grabbed poster board and some magazines and started cutting out pictures that resembled the person's interests. The people who come to this place live in the apartments above and come downstairs to have a good time and relax.

The people being marginalized are the senior citizens in society. And it isn’t just happening here in Chicago it is happening all over the world. I don’t know the answer to why this is happening but I think it happens because older people are seen as fragile and not interesting and instead of communicating with them we just push them to the side.

At first when the people living in the facility came in, it was a little uncomfortable because I thought maybe they wouldn’t want to communicate with us. But a couple minutes in me and and one of my classmates, Brittany, started talking to a woman named Gladys, and she started talking to us about her past, about how she was a public school teacher and how she used to travel to all types of places. She is an amazing human being, but she was a little older and couldn’t walk too well and couldn’t hear too good either. As I was talking to her, it dawned on me that one day my parents are going to be this woman's age, and it terrified me to see my father or my mother living in that home. I can’t imagine myself putting my parents in that place because it seems lonely, and I would feel like I have betrayed my parents because they went through the trouble to raise me when I couldn’t. (Editor's note: Wesley Place is a nursing home, intended for elderly people who need more significant nursing care around the clock. Some residents must live in a facility like this due to their medical condition, but many nonetheless are not visited by family members and friends with regularity.)

Nice work by Antonio and Brittany for their buddy #SoJuVo

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on May 4, 2016 at 12:49pm PDT

Who do you blame for how these people are being marginalized? Do we blame the children or the caretakers of the people living there, or do we blame the people who take care of them in the facility, or do we blame society for putting these people to the side? I understand that there are some people who don’t have anybody to take care of them and they have to be put in these facilities. But what about the people with children, how do they feel about being there? I understand that there are people who can’t afford to take care of their parents, but the feeling of being in that facility and your loved ones are outside I would imagine that it makes them feel upset. I don’t think that there is much that society can do for these people because I think that these people aren’t too worried about making new friends but would rather want to get back in touch with their family and friends.

Nice work by Vlora and Makeba for their pal #SoJuVo

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on May 4, 2016 at 12:51pm PDT

Andrew Pendergast

The people involved were senior citizens who lived in community. We were able to hang out with some of the people and make them timelines with papers and magazines and just be able to chill with them. They are neglected and ignored because of their age and this is very sad. Some can’t hear as well and some just don’t remember things anymore and we just leave them to die. Mostly because we might not have enough time for them or it hurts to see them get older. This happens everywhere which is pretty sad, but it’s what happens when people get older.

The greatest thing about Wesley Place is that it was non-profit, which makes all the things they do out of love for that person. It helps out many people who require assistance when they get older which then in return makes a comfortable life for them. Socially it makes things a lot easier because they are then able to socialize with people around them rather than be neglected in their own homes. The staff there were also pretty kind and considerate which was really nice to see. As for history, I believe that by having these facilities it makes it easier on the families to be able to live their lives and not worry about their family which could distract them.

Great work by our #SoJuVo squad

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on May 4, 2016 at 12:52pm PDT

I feel that what we did would be considered Solidarity, because we are always stepping out of our comfort zone to help spend time with people who normally have no one. Christ calls us to love and act as if we are brothers and sisters to those in need because that is a love that is very deep and hard to break. Also it could be considered part of the Call to Family, Community, and Participation. I believe this because we are able to spend time in different communities and help them realize they are loved and deserve not to be ignored.

I personally feel that I am very aware of this naturally, and I believe that it should be solved. I have grandparents who are getting old, and it's hard to think about what might happen to them when they get checked into a home like that. I don’t want them to turn into vegetables. I believe that I can use the CST teachings later to help support me in my spiritual journey of trying to find out who I am as a person while loving people for who they are and now how they look.

This is an issue that will continue, so we should all work together to find a way to make sure that everyone can feel equal when they get older. No one wants to die alone. There's always many ways to make people feel included so there should always be something available. Overall, love is life, and everyone should know how it feels to always have someone there and to be mindful of the people who actually live in those situations. Since they know more, it’s easier to make them a place to stay where it actually feels like home.

Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.

#SoJuVo at Chicagoland Methodist Senior Services today making story boards.

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on May 4, 2016 at 12:09pm PDT

Instagrams from Marquard Center:

Merrill getting us oriented at Franciscan Outreach! #SoJuVo

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on May 12, 2016 at 11:50am PDT

Doing work at Franciscan Outreach #SoJuVo

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on May 12, 2016 at 12:23pm PDT

Trip #4: Misericordia Candy Days (2015-16, T3)

On Friday, April 29, students from class ventured to the corners of Irving Park/Damen/Lincoln and Irving Park/Western to assist Misericordia volunteers with the Candy Days fundraiser. Volunteers walk around the intersections during red lights to solicit donations from stopped cars. Donors receive some Jelly Belly jelly beans and a hang-tag to support Misericordia. Here are some thoughts from Brittany Parker and Thien Han...

#SoJuVo doing Misericordia Candy Days

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on Apr 29, 2016 at 1:26pm PDT

In case you need a refresher, here's the link to our first post explaining what is posted to the blog. And without further adieu, here are some thoughts from Brittany Parker and Thien Han on their experience with their new elderly friends...

Brittany Parker

Misericordia is a home for mentally unstable people. The employees that work for this organization have many jobs, and people raise money by walking around intersections. I don’t know how these people walk in the street, back and forth, for many hours straight. I was sweating and my legs were hurting for walking around for two hours. However, walking back and forth down the street collecting money from those that would give whatever they could give was fun. I actually felt like I was helping.

Every time someone donated money, I started smiling so bright because it made me so happy that they were giving money for a great cause. I think people donated to me mostly because I was walking down the street singing “We are the World” by Michael Jackson. People either smiled at me and gave money, or just smiled, or just pretended like they didn’t see me. That made me so mad because I know you saw me see you, so don’t pretend like you’re looking on your phone. One of my peers reminded me to not show anger because then they won’t donate.

How did it feel when I was ignored? It felt like I didn’t matter because even though it was for a great cause, people acted like it wasn’t worth their time by ignoring us. Maybe I’m being very sensitive but this is how I felt. I understand if people don’t have money but we’re not asking for a lot. A measly penny would’ve been enough. It’s the fact that people cared enough to contribute.

That is what’s wrong with the world today. People are too careless and then they have the nerve to complain about how our society is and how the world is chaotic. If you don’t contribute or do anything to help make the world a better place then you have no room to complain. This is similar to people that don’t vote. They always complain about Mayors, Senators, Presidents, and other things that consist of voting. Then they have the nerve to complain about who the winner is when they didn’t even contribute their duty of voting. If people can’t put forth something to help out people in need then they should have no right to complain about it, it’s hypocritical.

How do we act? What would God call us to do? What needs to be done is being able to give anything that you can to help out others in need. Anyone can help out doesn’t matter if you only have a little to give or a lot to give because any little thing is helpful. We can volunteer, donate, or we can do both. People in Misericordia are marginalized because of their conditions but that’s something they just can’t help. They need our help in order to be apart of society. Either way people must reach into their hearts and find the will to want to help because if not, then what's the point?

#SoJuVo helping Misericordia Candy Days on Irving Park Road

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on Apr 29, 2016 at 11:30am PDT

Thien Han

There are people in Misericordia, where they help people with developmental disabilities, community support, etc. We were helping Misericordia to raise money by asking for donation from the drivers who stop at the intersection between Irving Park and Western. We have to wear a thing that looks like a bag with a hole at the bottom and the sides have been cut, but it looks cute and cool - it has two pockets in the front to put jelly bean bags in one and the paper to hang in the car so other people can see who they helped in the other pocket.

So we stood on the walkway while wearing the outfit with a small can on one hand to collect donations and the paper and the jelly bean bag in one hand. Each time the light turned to red, we had about forty seconds before the light turned back to green, when we had to go back in when the turning light changed to green because the cars will move and the other leaders didn’t want us to get hurt. The people being asked for donations have a lot of types of responses, like ignore us, give reasons, and responding in a friendly way. Some people didn’t even look to see who we are, and I think that some drivers think we are homeless or maybe a fake group so they decided not to help us.

I think the theme of Catholic Social Teaching relevant here is the Preferential Option for the Poor and Marginalized. We do not need to prefer to the poor; we should not treat caring for the poor and marginalized as optional. But Christ calls us to consider the poor in every decision we make, personally, communally, and socially. And the Dignity and Value of Human Life tells us to respect life in all forms and at all stages from conception till natural death.

I think what I did there was very good because I can experience the homeless feeling when they try to ask for money and rarely some people give them money. I never been in such a situation, but I know it can really bad because, especially when the temperature outside is chilly and they still have to keep standing there for all day.

We should help the homeless everytime and everywhere, by just basically sit down and talk to them, asking them how are they are, or even giving them money, even though some of the homeless maybe using our help and use those money not for food but for drugs, alcohol, and other bad things. The safest way to help them is donating to those place like food pantries, disabled center, and all the place that help the homeless.

Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.
 

#SoJuVo doing a great job for Misericordia

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on Apr 29, 2016 at 1:27pm PDT

Trip #3: Warren Park Health & Living Center (2015-16, T3)

On Friday, April 15, students from our class went to the Warren Park Health & Living Center. Residents at this community live with different disabilities, including mental and psychological challenges, and some of them are wards of the state. The staff at the center invited residents down to an activities room, and our students spent an hour and a half playing games and conversing with residents. Here are some thoughts from Thien Han, Henry Skolnick, and Sylvester Trotter...

Playing games at Warren Park Health & Living Center #SoJuVo

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on Apr 15, 2016 at 12:18pm PDT

Thien Han

As we continue to study about God, we visited Warren Park Health & Living Center, which is a place for disabled people to live in. The people in here are disabled, and for some their family doesn’t want to take care of them anymore, or just because they don’t have time for their family members. Most of them are funny and friendly even though they are in a challenging situation.

The workers in there are really nice and friendly to the disabled people. The disabled people are dependent, and some of them even need workers to help them get around, eat, drink, or do personal stuff. There is a guy that even write his own book about life even though he can not walk.

The Blind Beggar in the Gospel of Mark (Mark 10) is so brave and says out loud to call Jesus, “Son of David, have mercy on me,” even though everyone around him tells him to be silent. Then Jesus tells them to bring that guy to Him and Jesus tells him, “Go, your faith has saved you.” What I mean in here is we have to care for God’s creations by following what Jesus teaches in the Gospels and avoid acting like the people that tell the Blind Beggar to be silent. Even if we are not helping the disabled, we should not stop them from coming closer to God.

I feel really sad for the people that are being forced to go here or that only want to come here because they seem lonely, but they still can find fun in a lonely place by communicating with others or playing card games. I haven’t been in this situation but I understand how they feel about it, because I have helped and talked to homeless, disabled, and lonely people, and they usually say life is hard but the thing is that do they want to fight against it.

We can help these people by donating to the center, calling for help in the media, or just to come there and play and talk to them. People can survive without food for a little bit, but the going without emotion can kill them instantly.

Playing games at Warren Park Health & Living Center #SoJuVo

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on Apr 15, 2016 at 12:18pm PDT

Henry Skolnick

The people that are involved in this case are those with disabilities and mental/developmental defects that bar them from having a normal/easy life. Often considered more as burdens than people, the impaired suffer resentment and abandonment from those without disabilities who want to push them away for the personal gain of not taking the responsibility to care at all for these people. Of course, such a mindset is widespread throughout the world, not just the United States.

In the sense of people who own and people who decide, it’s once again placed on lawmakers, the rich, and those who are not dependents. Those who are disabled suffer exclusion with the brand of being sub-human, as their noticeable differences cause many to turn these people away. From a historical standpoint, similar exclusion exhibited people who are psychologically and developmentally superior to others with disabilities in the past would treat the disabled even more harshly by employing the belief that the disabled are products of the devil, or monsters, or other forms or superstition which lends another bias to the present day by allowing people to fear the mentally and physically challenged. Furthermore, such fear has given way to an arrogance that prevails in modern culture, a belief that because someone who is cognitively/physically challenged, the person who is not is completely superior and therefore more important than the person who is not.

From a more biblical standpoint, a sufficient example to be followed is when Christ touched and healed the leper (Mark 1:40-44):

A leper came to him [and kneeling down] begged him and said, “If you wish, you can make me clean.” Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand, touched him, and said to him, “I do will it. Be made clean.” The leprosy left him immediately, and he was made clean. Then, warning him sternly, he dismissed him at once. Then he said to him, “See that you tell no one anything, but go, show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing what Moses prescribed; that will be proof for them.”

It is the example from this story that Catholics may use in conjunction with Solidarity and other themes that they may learn not to reject helpless people like the disabled and turn to help them. To further expand on themes of Catholic Social Teaching, other employable themes include preferential option for the poor and marginalized as the disabled are a marginalized group, in addition to rights and responsibilities, as Catholic doctrine instructs followers to be responsible for their community.

How I feel about the exclusion of the disabled is disappointed, yet unsympathetically understanding of those who exclude. There’s much ignorance that permeates through many cultures surrounding the disabled, and sometimes people fall victim to it by believing it. While I don’t feel implicated, I do to some degree identify and sympathize with the disabled, as I suffer from the misfortune of having considerable difficulty in applying and memorizing mathematics to the point of having failed two classes and being sent back and forth to tutoring with little to no effect on my grades or understanding. That being said, I don’t find myself called to respond as my place lies with the dead, but I’m not above voluntarily providing to the disabled. It’s my hope others better understand these people and their plight for survival.

Finally, a solution to address the exclusion of the disabled is to provide more education that dispels myths and misconceptions of them and begin charity events that would go towards research to improve the lives of the afflicted by incorporating the help of like-minded individuals and people who have members of the disabled in their families to dispense more understanding.

Playing games at Warren Park Health & Living Center #SoJuVo

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on Apr 15, 2016 at 12:19pm PDT

Sylvester Trotter

Last week, our class visited Warren Park Health and Living Center. As we entered the center, we divided into groups. Each person got the opportunity to talk to the people from this center. My friends and I met a young man, and we were told that he had written a book. As I looked through the pages of the book, I not only could understand his trials and tribulations but I also felt his pain. Just like majority of the patients, he faced a crisis in his life and suffered from a traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle accident that put him in a coma. With his family’s faith in God, he opened his eyes and woke up from the coma on the day of his father’s birthday. His story amazed me and was a huge inspiration to me.

Through my experience at Warren Park Health and Living Center, I came to an understanding that that centers like Warren Park are located everywhere. The mentally disabled are put in centers like Warren Park in order for them to receive the attention they deserve and need. It is good that there are places where they could receive them, especially in cases where the mentally disabled person doesn’t have family members to take care of him/her.

By analyzing my experience through the economic angle, I discovered that centers like Warren Park are very dependent on the government to continue running. The government owns and has the money as the government is what funds public centers for the mentally disabled. Warren Park’s employees and its patients are very dependent on the government. The government has all the power to allow these centers to continue running. Without the government’s assistance, there would not be places where the mentally disabled could go to receive aid and medical help.

Through reflecting my experience at Warren Park, the Bible passage that reminds me of this situation is 1 John 5:4, “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world... And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.” The patient from Warren Park who I met is a great example of how anything is possible if we believe and have faith in God. His story served as a lesson to me and my peers. It helped me personally realize that we should never lose faith in God because with that faith everything and anything is possible. God allowed him to wake up from his coma and has been by his side protecting him ever since. 

By connecting my faith, my life experiences, and my emotional reaction in the visit to Warren Park, I’m really glad I got to visit Warren Park. I enjoyed every part of it because I got so much out of this experience. 

I’m glad Warren Park helps the mentally disabled who cannot take care of themselves or do not have anyone that could take care of them. I believe that what this society could attempt to do is to not isolate them and stop making them believe they are not normal. I understand that they need medical aid from a special center, but I believe we can all attempt to go to centers like Warren Park to educate ourselves about the people who are mentally disabled in order to better understand their needs and to not be scared of their disabilities.

Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.

Playing games at Warren Park Health & Living Center #SoJuVo

A photo posted by St Ben Campus & Youth Ministry (@stbencym) on Apr 15, 2016 at 12:19pm PDT

Trip #2: North Center Senior Satellite Center (2015-16, T3)

On Wednesday, April 6, students from our class visited the Catholic Charities North Center Senior Satellite Center. We joined in the weekly Zumba class, spending an hour doing a good cardio dance workout with men and women in their 50s, 60s, 70s, and even 80s!

Here are some thoughts from Antonio Diaz, Brahim Fall, and Sylvester Trotter:

Antonio Diaz

This week in our Catholic Social Teaching class, we took a trip down to the senior center on Irving Park and Oakley. When we got there we had to participate in a Zumba class, which a very humbling experience to not be able to keep up with the older people. The people who come to this place either live in the apartments nearby or come from all parts of the city to have a good time and relax. The people being marginalized are the senior citizens in society. And it isn’t just happening here in Chicago; it is happening all over the world. I don’t know the answer to why this is happening, but I think it happens because older people are seen as fragile and not interesting, and instead of communicating with them, we just push them to the side.

In our society there is a huge culture barrier between the older people and the younger people. We usually put elderly people in retirement homes or provide housing for them, but we don’t pay attention to them. We do this because we think by just providing them with a place to live in we are caring for them but just like us elderly people need love and affection just like we do. 

A bible verse that I connect to this is Exodus 20:12: “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." I connect this bible verse to the marginalization of the elderly because not that many elderly people go into retirement homes by choice; many are put there by their children. By doing this you are going against God's call because you are not honoring your mother and your father by putting them in a retirement home so you won’t have to take care of them. This doesn't match up because your parents job when you are born and fragile is that they are supposed to take care of you. So, just like how your parents took care of you when you were fragile, you should make it your duty to take care of them when they are older and fragile.

I cannot make a personal connection to how the older people are being treated because my family has never believed in retirement homes. To us, putting a family member in a retirement home is a sign of betrayal. For example, my Grandma passed away two years ago at ninety-seven years old, but before she passed, she lived in my uncle's home. We would visit her three or four times a week, but every holiday we would go to my grandma's house. This I believe is an example my parents and family set for me because they showed me to not forget anybody in my family, not even the older members. Because of that, I know that as long as I am living, I will never forget about my parents.

Brahim Fall

From what I learned through my experience with the elderly people at North Center Senior Satellite Center, these seniors seem like happy, motivated, energetic, and positive people. They look more alive than seniors at other centers that I've visited; it’s a different atmosphere. You can tell by just being there that there is a big difference. They don’t just sit around without doing anything, like other centers. It seems like elderly people are sometimes just waiting to for their death to come, but at North Center, seniors have a positive vibe, which is a great fact that like about them. For an example, every Wednesday, the seniors are doing this dance called Zumba, which a great exercise to keep their bodies moving.

At North Center, they have this system where they charge the seniors who live there depending on their budget and adjust their rates to fit their income.This is good because people have different budgets, sometimes low or high, so they will charge you depending on how much you have in your budget.

The Bible verse, Matthew 25:35-36 says, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.” This means that we have to treat everybody equally. Proverbs 19:17 says, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” This teaches us to always be generous to people because God is in everybody.

I believe people should always treat each other with respect no matter how much they make or what they have save in the bank, and that’s what this senior center is applying. I have not been in this type of position before, but I can understand other people’s situations. Becoming involved in marginalizing people is something I stay away from. I know it is never a good thing to do that to people. I do feel like a part of the marginalized people sometimes because of the way I am treated. People treat me differently based on how I act around them. People who are looked on as lower than others should turn to their faith and realize that it is not just them in their own little world. God is there to help protect people and guide them to a good path in life. Everyone needs to learn to respect each other and not judge others on how they look, how they act, where they’re from, or how rich or poor they are.

We can start by closing the gap between the rich people and the poor by showing them that there is nothing they need to be afraid or ashamed of. Their lives are just as important as every other person’s life in the world. Something people can do to help them is to treat them equal to each other. This is a good way to get a closer look at how they are living with their lives. It is a good thing to get personal interaction with the people to understand how they survive, what they go through, and how to help them. Church communities are also a good place to be because then we can connect our interactions with the marginalized to our faith in God. This type of support for people can’t really be done with just a few people. It really takes a large amount of people to make a huge impact on these people in our society.

Sylvester Trotter

In this week's service trip, my classmates and I were able to attend a Zumba session at the North Center Senior Satellite Center. The center hosts a fitness program that helps seniors become more active, helps the seniors to go on trips, have senior club meetings, and dance. I was able to dance and get to know more about the seniors who visited the center. I loved the experience. I was able to connect with them and even get some life advice from them. I learned so many new things. Through this experience I was able to unite with this marginalized group. I felt like my presence was enjoyed, and it made the seniors' day to see teens take their time and spend it with them.

Seniors are truly neglected in our society. They are unaccounted for and are seen as weak and unable. Our respect for them and their hard work has gone down the drain. We forget that we are united and should work as a team, rather than create borders for the people. No one is benefitting from being marginalized. The elderly deserve a voice and should be heard. I felt like that was why we were called to go do Zumba with them. We have to speak up for them. Political leaders have the money and opportunity to shed light upon this social issue but often choose not to. The elderly are often dependent upon the services of which community has to offer them. There should be more local aid.

This issue relates to many bible stories, such as Genesis 24:1-10. In this story, Abraham was an elderly man, yet God was able to bless him in every way. The idea of aging is prevalent within this story because it is a part of life. It is a natural process that all must go through. It does not make one less able. It allows us to grow and become wise through our own personal experiences. A theme of Catholic Social Teaching that’s relevant here is solidarity. Christ calls us to respond by being mindful of all people no matter how old and to view them as brothers and sisters. The elderly should be seen as equal regardless of their state in life. I believe that we are all created to be united in solidarity. As a society, we should choose to uplift one another rather than exclude. We are all equal in the eyes of God. There are so many things to be learned that we have not yet understood. The elderly hold wisdom and understand the trials and tribulations of life. Their insight can be helpful. They should have a say within the community and around the world. It is unjust to take away these rights from them. Christ would expect us to come together as brother and sisters in unity. We are all created in His likeness, and the judgment should no longer be placed upon this group of people. Christ wants us to work together in order to end the separation that we have in the world. There should be more unity between the people by including the elderly and speaking to them. 

We may bridge the gap between social reality and what we hope for by providing more assistance to the elderly. We can continue to help contribute by donating some of our funds to help build local centers around the city that allow the elderly to be united within society rather than excluded. We may also simply volunteer at a senior home and learn more about them by a simple conversation. Political leaders and the media can also shed light upon this issue due to their large following. The more emphasis placed upon this issue will help others realize that the elderly deserve a say.

Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.

Trip #1: Urban Immersion Exercise (2015-16, T3)

We are officially into Trimester 3 of the 2015-16 school year, so we now have a new group of seniors beginning the course. If you need a refresher on what this blog is, jump back to our first post.

On Thursday, March 17, students traveled to Lakeview to undertake an urban immersion exercise, centered on Clark & Belmont. This activity is inspired by The Night Ministry, who have found that homeless teens use this neighborhood and intersection as a frequent meeting point and try to fend for themselves from there.

Students had the following information:

Your group will imagine that you together are one homeless teenager – you are roving around Lakeview by yourself, with only the clothes on your bag and $5 in your pocket (without knowing where your next money is coming from). Keep in mind that homeless people often have worn-out clothes, hygiene challenges, and dilemmas over breaking vs. following the laws.

Starting from this meeting point (Clark & Belmont), your group will explore an area of Lakeview (your adult will follow behind you and let you know if you need to turn around). You have 45 minutes to answer the following questions that face homeless teens every day:

1. Where/what am I going to eat?
2. Where am I going to go to the bathroom?
3. Where/how am I going to warm up?
4. Where/how am I going to sleep? 
5. Also, as you explore Lakeview, look around and take in the neighborhood: why do you think it is an attractive environment for homeless teenagers?

Representing our class this week on our blog, here are the thoughts of Andrew Pendergast and Gabe LaBoy...

Andrew Pendergast

During this trip we learned about homeless teenagers in Lakeview. This happens everywhere, but in the Chicago Lakeview area, the Clark and Belmont stop is where most teens will go to meet. The area is pretty modern and friendly. It is a welcoming community.

In the case of money, we are talking about teenagers that have nowhere to go because maybe they ran away or got kicked out for other reasons. They are excluded because they have nowhere to go, so they have to find a way to survive with the resources around them. During all of this, teens struggle to find places to eat and drink and just survive in general. This community of people are very welcoming because some of the teens are part of the LGBTQ community and so is the Lakeview neighborhood.

In this situation, I believe that the related Catholic Social Teaching theme would be Call to Family, Community, and Participation. In this theme, it talks about how we push marginalized people away so that we look good. This theme says that public goods should be maintained by all. If people actually followed this then it would give homeless people a chance to live lives that would be more comfortable. Also, it says that Christ calls us to uphold the family as the domestic church and the basis for fostering community and active participation in society. By following this, we are upholding the teaching that we should participate in society while giving people chances to learn and grow.

For me this experience has opened my eyes and it makes me feel sad that people are going though this all the time. One of my best friends was homeless and gay, and we became buddies. I feel that this issue is always overlooked because no one really understands the impacts that it has. Even while volunteering at different places in Chicago, you can see poor teens everywhere suffering. I feel that even though I’m not Christian, I believe that Jesus would have called us to act with love and faith to help those who are less fortunate to be able to make something of themselves and be satisfied.

As for taking action, you could do many things. You could volunteer at shelters or even fundraise. We could easily make sandwiches and food for the homeless teens so that way they have a meal to eat because even the smallest things will go along way. Like the story with Jesus and the loaves of bread and the fish, if we give back to the community, there is always great benefits. You are helping people who have been marginalized and need help to make sure that they can have a comfortable life.

Overall, this experience was great to be able to see the things that God calls us to do in action. I am very happy to have been able to participate and be able to be part of something that will change my viewpoint on these current situations so I can try to be helpful to others.

Gabe LaBoy

My group and I were asked to put ourselves in the place of homeless teens; we had to find a place to eat, sleep, stay warm, and use the bathroom. My group consisted of a few other students and myself. We first started out by figuring out what homeless teens liked the Lakeview area. The area around there and within Lakeview is safer than the other parts of the city around there. We also made predictions on the type of kids that might be homeless teens that might be around there, and we guessed that a lot are probably LGBTQ and feel safer in a community where people accepted it more than others. But this so much bigger than just our city or state or country; this is on a global scale. There are millions of homeless teens all over the world, and I think they want to find a place they know can handle a lot of their needs all in one. I don't know why there are so many teens that are homeless, and it is really sad to think about because I guess there can be a host of reasons why someone can be homeless. That's the scary part - that this can happen to anyone at anytime and it shows you that anything can happen in life.
Being homeless you have a need for food, water, and shelter, so things like phones and going to the movies fade away. It comes down to surviving, to getting things you need, and Lakeview has a lot of money coming in to it where it is easier to ask more people for it. On the other hand, because there is a lot of money coming into the 44th Ward, others are trying to push homeless people out of Lakeview and put them on the lakefront so the people in the neighborhood don't have to see homeless kids everywhere. But there are places trying to help these kids out, like shelters and the church and even the public library.

In the Gospel of Matthew (25:35-36). Jesus says that we need to support the poor and homeless. He says that the way we treat the homeless should be the same as how you treat Him. Jesus tells you to always to help out everyone that needs it, and that doesn't always happen in this day and age.

This activity showed me how hard it is to be homeless. You have to worry about everything around you. I don't know how anyone can survive in this situation, and I feel bad for everyone that has to do it. I do not think I could do it. It would be very hard for anyone to become homeless. I understand what it feels like to be marginalized because of being a minority myself. but at the same time, I could never think of how I would make in that position. I personally feel like as a society we should do more to help kids and anyone that is homeless and I would stand with anyone that does. As a response I feel like there should be more shelter and places for people to get jobs and people to stay and live.

The people should be more aware of the things going on. People may see homeless on the streets and feel bad, but they don't see the people trying to make a difference out there. Anyone can help with donations, service, and volunteering. I can say this activity has made me look forward to going out and helping people out on our future field trips. That's how we help them - we show that we care and are here to help share time and compassion because sometimes that's just what someone needs.

Note: Minor grammar/style edits have been made to each post not affecting the content or perspective of these students.