Cleveland, OH
Avon
By Rebecca Turman
Students will get a glimpse into the lives of the homeless tonight at All Pro Freight Stadium in Avon when the Neighborhood House Association (NHA), with the Lake Erie Crushers, hosts the Homeless Overnight Sleepover beginning at 8 p.m. The event is intended to raise awareness for the Haven Center for the Homeless.
“It’s a first-time thing for us,” Chris Aiello, of NHA, said last March 17.
NHA “serves anywhere from infants to seniors,” Aiello said.
The mission of NHA, according to the organization’s website, is “To serve Lorain County and its neighborhoods to address basic needs, enhance individual and family life and improve neighborhoods and communities.”
The organization’s programs range from child care services to senior services and the Haven Center for the Homeless, a 24-hour homeless center for men, women and children in Lorain.
According to the website, the Haven Center staff works closely with “Lorain County Human Services, Salvation Army, Nord Center, Lorain County Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Catholic Charities, local hospitals, drug/alcohol programs, BVR, psychiatric hospitals and numerous other social service agencies.”
“(It’s) giving the community an opportunity, particularly the youth of the community, to be exposed to what homelessness is about,” Aiello said of the Homeless Overnight Sleepover, adding the event would let the students know there are local organizations in existence that help the homeless.
NHA opened up the overnight event to local churches, youth groups and organizations. As of Thursday, Aiello said 12 or 13 different churches and schools had planned to attend.
“We’re maxing it out at 100 students since we don’t want to be overloaded,” she said, noting the deadline to sign up was Monday.
The event is free, although NHA did suggest specific donations, such as laundry detergent, standard pillows and rubber flip flops, should the students want to give back.
During the overnight, each student will have the chance to participate in a poverty simulation presentation given by Leadership Lorain County, according to Aiello.
It “puts students in a real-life situation … forces students to empathize” with the homeless, she said.
The students will have to BYOB – bring your own box and blankets.
The Homeless Overnight Sleepover will set the stage for NHA’s fifth annual fundraiser, the Home Run for the Homeless, a 5K run and a 1-mile family walk.
NHA will again team up with the Lake Erie Crushers for the fundraiser, which will be held at All Pro Freight Stadium April 16.
The purpose of the event is to raise funds for the Haven Center.
As part of the $25 entrance fee (prior to April 10), participants receive a T-shirt and a ticket voucher to the June 14 Crushers’ game. The entrance fee after April 10 is $30.
Individuals can register for the Home Run for the Homeless atwww.Walk2011.com.
Those who register by March 30 will be entered into a drawing to win an iPad. The top fundraising team and participant will win the use of a loge at All Pro Freight Stadium for one Crushers’ game.
The event will begin with a 7 a.m. open registration April 16. The 5K run will start at 8 a.m., the 1-mile walk will begin at 8:45 a.m. and the awards ceremony is scheduled for 9:30 a.m.
“It’s an hour and a half of their morning,” Aiello said of the event. “(They can) feel good about what they are doing and then get on with their day. It’sreally an event to show your support for the homeless. It’s a great community service opportunity. A lot of parents are always looking for community service projects for kids. (This is) one of those great opportunities that is right at their back door.”
In the past, the run/walk fundraiser was held at Lorain County Community College, according to Aiello.
Between 300 and 400 people participated in the run last year, she said, raising approximately $40,000.
“We’re really excited about the event,” she said. “Our goal this year is $50,000. It’s probably the largest fundraiser we do.”
Contact Rebecca Turman at rturman@2presspapers.com
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