Oakton raises awareness about homelessness on World Habitat Day
In honor of World Habitat Day, Monday, Oct. 6, Oakton Community College will call attention to the plight of the homeless by filling the Des Plaines campus courtyard through Friday, Oct. 10, with makeshift shanties built from discarded materials.
Founded in 1986 by the United Nations, World Habitat Day is a time to reflect on the human right for adequate shelter. Students will spend Monday night in their shanties to raise funds for Habitat for Humanity.
Visitors can meet the builders and vote for their favorite shanty that night by adding a Habitat donation to the "Change for Change" paint cans outside the temporary shelters from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday.
This is the fourth consecutive year that Oakton's Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter has sponsored a "Shantytown."
"It's always an exciting time as we approach our annual Shantytown project," notes Oakton Coordinator of Human Services and Substance Abuse Counseling Programs Marvin Bornschlegl, adviser to the college's Habitat chapter. "Each year, I'm astounded by our students' commitment - and we're growing every year, giving us a great opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges people who are homeless face."
Also on World Habitat Day, Oakton's Habitat Chapter will sponsor a presentation and panel discussion about homelessness from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in Room 1610 led by Chicago author Karen Skalitzky.
Skalitzky, a Northwestern graduate and former Teach for America corps member, penned the book "A Recipe for Hope: Stories of Transformation by People Struggling with Homelessness," which challenges preconceptions about destitute people without permanent shelter and how this problem affects everyone regardless of race, color, creed, or economic status. The panel will consist of individuals featured in her book. Copies of the book will be available for $10, with proceeds benefiting the homeless.
From 3 to 4 p.m. Monday prior to Skalitzky's appearance, the public is invited to join the Habitat Chapter in assembling brown-bag lunches that will be donated to Inspiration Café, a Chicago nonprofit agency that provides a restaurant for the homeless, where men and women can relax, order from a menu, and be served with dignity.
Additionally on Monday, the cafeterias at both college campuses will be transformed into "soup kitchens," where customers may purchase soup and a sandwich for $5. A portion of the proceeds will support Oakton's Habitat for Humanity Chapter. Hours of operation 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in Des Plaines, and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Skokie.
Oakton's shantytown participants will share their experiences during a free panel discussion 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 16, Room 2701, Des Plaines.
The campuses are at 1600 E. Golf Road, Des Plaines, and 7701 N. Lincoln Ave., Skokie. For information, contact Marvin Bornschlegl at (847) 635-1845, or mbornsch@oakton.edu.