Social Justice

Youth Group Lock-out for the Homeless
J. Travis Laster
First Unitarian Church (UU) Wilmington, DE

The Youth Group of First Unitarian Church (Unitarian Universalist), Wilmington, DE held a Lock-Out for the Homeless in March. Their goal was to raise money for homeless people in the community. All of the money raised was contributed to Emmanuel Dining Hall.

The event began on a Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. Over 50 people from the Church, including the Senior Minister, gathered on that chilly and rainy night for a series of interactive presentations about homelessness.

Those who attended the first part were asked to make a donation. It was "give as you are able," but the suggested donation was $10. They also announced the event in Church and asked for contributions. They raised over $1300 with this event.

For the first part of the evening, they formed an interconnected web to share their experiences. They walked barefoot on the cold, wet asphalt. They used cookies to understand the uneven distribution of wealth in our society. They learned through skits who the homeless really are. They discovered how families can fall into homelessness before anyone can save them. They worshipped together and joined their energies in the search for a solution.

The Youth Group then stayed overnight to learn more about what it is like to be homeless. They used cardboard boxes, trash bags, sleeping bags, and a couple of tarps contributed by members of the congregation.

They role-played what it's like to be ignored by others and have one's pain dismissed as unimportant! They challenged themselves to build shelters as best they could. They discussed and learned from their experience.

Believe it or not, they also slept! Then, at 3:00 am, when the rain and wind that harassed them all night evolved into an honest-to-goodness thunderstorm, the advisors opted for safety and went inside. However, the youth resisted. They reminded their advisors that real homeless people would not have that option.

They woke the next day weary but wiser (if only by a little).