The Whitworthian

Issue date: 2/20/07 Last Updated: 8/9/07

Robert and senior Michael Vander Giessen talk before Chapel at The House of Charity last Saturday morning.

Urban Plunge was organized by senior class coordinator Denice Randle. Jerry Schwab, Community Connections Coordinator at The House of Charity, led Urban Plunge.

Randle participated in an Urban Plunge experience during Jan Term in professor of political science Julia Stronks' Poverty and Community Development class. Students had the opportunity to see people who were homeless and to hear their experiences first-hand.

Urban Plunge was originally geared towards seniors as this month's senior class activity, but then the event was opened up to underclassmen. Randle said that she did not want to turn anyone away.

"The senior class theme is 'Leaving a legacy for the next generation' at Whitworth University, so I want underclassmen to see the homeless situation now so that they might get involved in the next four years," Randle said. "I hope that the experience reveals a new perception about the homeless."

Stronks' class visited charities such as Christ Kitchen, The House of Charity and Cup of Cool Water in downtown Spokane.

"The House of Charity allows the homeless to speak and share their stories," Randle said. "The House of Charity works with other organizations to create a bridge allowing the homeless to go to different organizations and have access to more resources."

Randle said that it was overwhelming to see people living in the streets and sleeping in the snow.

"We saw what the City of Spokane is doing about homelessness and what still needs to be done," Randle said. "I developed a sense of commitment to the community of Spokane."

Randle said many homeless people are making an effort to find a job, but often run into obstacles to being hired such as having a limited education and no permanent home address.

Also, simply finding a place to sleep at night can be a challenge.

"Shelters can only house so many people and they are only required to let everyone in if it is below 5 degrees outside," Randle said. "I cannot imagine what it would be like to sleep outside in 5 degree weather and it seems ridiculous. The City of Spokane is working on raising the requirement to 15 degrees."

Randall was excited that other students were able to experience the Plunge.

"The Urban Plunge experience with my class forced me to tear down my perceptions about the homeless," Randle said. "There was a seed planted in me and I am interested in influencing policy regarding the homeless."

Depending on the student response to this month's Urban Plunge, SERVE may offer another Urban Plunge experience this spring for all interested students.

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