Our meeting time is Mondays at 5 PM in Goldwin Smith RM 134

OUR CURRENT ON-CAMPUS PROJECTS:

- The Sleepout Against Homelessness (held Saturday, April 13th, involved a day of service projects in Ithaca, speeches, a candlelight vigil, panhandling in collegetown, sleeping out on Ho Plaza, and more)
        Here's the Sleepout Schedule for Last Year
        Click Here to Read a Summary of 2001 Sleepout

Mission

The Cornell Coalition for the Homeless was founded in the Spring of 1996 in an attempt to form a student organization focused on addressing the issue of homelessness. Today the Coalition is a network of student and community activists. Our aim is to end homelessness locally, to mitigate poverty in general, and to change people's perceptions in a positive way.  In September 1998 the Coalition became a sponsored project of the Center for Religion, Ethics, and Social Policy (CRESP), which is affiliated with Cornell. We work in several areas, including (1) direct service, (2) education and awareness, (3) fundraising, and (4) social reform.

The Coalition firmly believes that the end of homelessness begins with the homeless. Therefore, homeless, needy, and formerly homeless individuals are included as members, and are instrumental in developing the activities. In order to build the personal relationships required of such cooperation, the Coalition frequently holds meetings at Loaves and Fishes, Ithaca's community kitchen. In addition, the Coalition seeks to collaborate with other campus and local organizations which work for peace and social justice.

Historical Activities

Sleepout.A major annual event of the Coalition is the Sleepout against homelessness. The literal purpose of the event is to raise awareness of homelessness by sleeping outside for a night (usually at Ho Plaza). However, the Sleepout is also an educational and spiritual activity. A variety of speakers - homeless persons, service providers, and public officials - are present to share their thoughts and experiences regarding homelessness. A candlelight vigil is held in which people offer their reflections, prayers, and even music.

Fundraising. The Coalition sponsors an annual T-shirt drive to raise funds for various agencies which provide services to the homeless or work to prevent homelessness. Since its inception, the Coalition has contributed approximately $5000 to such organizations as The Learning Web, Loaves and Fishes, HOMES (now Unity House), Family and Children's Service, Friendship Donations Network, Tompkins County Red Cross, Tompkins County EOC, and Hope House Ministries. The front side of the shirt displays a message regarding homelessness, and the reverse side recognizes the businesses, organizations, and individuals that contribute toward the production cost.

Direct Service. The Coalition volunteers regularly at a number of human service agencies in Ithaca (click on the link to find out more information about this). We are expanding both the number of places we volunteer at and the number of people and times at which we volunteer.

Besides volunteering, we help people directly in other ways. For instance, the Summer of 1998 was a milestone for the Coalition. A man who had just moved to Ithaca found himself homeless when he could not afford to put a deposit on a room because the paperwork for his disability benefits had not been completely processed. The Coalition provided him with a rental deposit so that he could move into a room while his paperwork was being completed. Over the course of its existence, the Coalition has not only run projects but has also set aside a reserve of funds to help individuals in extenuating circumstances, as far as we could.

Other On-Campus Projects. Traditionally the Coalition sponsors or participates in a number of short-term projects, such as hunger banquets, clothing / food / hygienic products drives, voter registration/information drives, and volunteer events. We are also currently working on helping to revive Cornell's Food Distribution Project (taking excess food from dining halls to local shelters, and food kitchens).

Facts About Homelessness

Quotes From Satisfied Constituents

Link to the National Coalition for the Homeless

Donate Food to the Hungry

Learn about volunteer oppotunities!
 

Officers, 2002-2003

Co-Chairs:  Lisa Krauthamer (LTK3) and Julia Harris (JDH44)
Volunteer Coordinator: Faith Bekermus (FSB3) and Scott Litwack (SDL28)
Publicity: James Healy (JJH38)

MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Minutes from 8-27- 2000 to 12-2000
1-28-01
2-4-01 -no minutes for this meeting
2-11-01
2-18-01
2-25-01
2-25-01 -- Officer's Meeting
3-4-01
3-11-01
4-1-01
4-8-01
4-29-01
5-2-01 -- Advisory Board Meeting
--More Advisory Board Input
5-7-01
Fall 2001-Spring 2002