Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
Saturday, November 12, 2022 – Friday, November 18, 2022
Please join HOPE, the Center for Social Justice, and our campus and community partners for National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness week. We invite you to learn about homelessness in our community and to learn how you can engage in service and advocacy for unhoused and unsheltered people in Washington, DC. We hope to see you there!
All Month: HOYA SOXA! Socks for Unhoused and Unsheltered Community Members
The Center for Social Justice is sponsoring a new sock collection to support the street outreach efforts of the Georgetown Ministry Center, a neighborhood nonprofit organization providing services to the unhoused community for over 30 years, Ward 6 Mutual Aid, Ward 2 Mutual Aid, and So Others Might Eat. Drop off new socks to the Front Desk of the Center for Social Justice in Suite 130, Poulton Hall weekdays between 8:00 am – 8:00 pm until December 6, 2022. You can also donate a monetary contribution to purchase and sponsor new socks here. Questions can be directed to csjadmin@georgetown.edu.
Saturday, November 12
Voices in Community Organizing
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Location: Leavey Program Room
Sponsored by: Center for Social Justice and the ace and Class in DC Course Cluster
Spend a morning learning with community organizers who work for social justice in Washington, DC! This event will feature interactive small group discussions with organizers from The Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor, The Washington Interfaith Network, The Latino Economic Development Center, and Rising Organizers. There will be time for both listening, conversation, and questions. Lunch provided to registered attendees. Questions? Email Kayla at kjj46.
Monday, November 14
Faces of Homelessness Panel
5:30 – 7:00 pm
Location: Arrupe Multipurpose Room
Sponsored by: HOPE
The Faces of Homelessness Panel allows us to learn about homelessness from those who have experienced it. In this powerful discussion, we invite you to hear about the challenges of homelessness and have a Q&A with the real experts on this issue. Arrupe Hall, 6:30 – 7:00 pm. Questions can be directed to HOPE at guhope@georgetown.edu.
Hypothermia Outreach Team Training
7:00 – 8:30 pm
Location: Leavey Program Room
Sponsored by: HOME Program – Center for Social Justice (new window)
Register for this training or sign up for this or future training sessions.
The severe weather in winter makes homelessness more immediately life-threatening, especially during hypothermia season (from November 1 through April 15). Every summer and winter, Washington, DC city government agencies, faith communities, and nonprofit organizations provide emergency services to support men, women, and families experiencing homelessness.
As part of these efforts, the CSJ partners with the Georgetown Ministry Center (GMC) to form a Hypothermia Outreach Team (HOT) as the severe weather approaches. HOT volunteers help to prevent death from exposure and encourage unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness to seek safety in available shelters and warming stations. This volunteer work is an important way for the Georgetown community to care for our own neighbors in need. No previous experience or specialized skills are required.
You must attend a HOT training before your first walk.
Tuesday, November 15
Pies and Ties
6:00 – 7:30 pm
Location: Herman Room, Healey Family Student Center (HFSC)
Sponsored by: HOPE
Learn how and help to make tie-blankets, one side being waterproof fabric and one side regular flannel. The completed blankets will be delivered to individuals experiencing homelessness during Friday Foods through HOPE or the Hypothermia Outreach Team through HOME as the weather gets colder. Pies will be provided as refreshments.
Open Mic Night
7:00 – 10:00 pm
Location: Uncommon Grounds, Leavey Center 2nd Floor
Sponsored by: HOME Program – Center for Social Justice (new window) and The Corp
Come hang out at Uncommon Grounds after hours! We welcome anyone to come through and perform music, poetry, or anything else they desire! Tea and snacks will be available as well. We will be asking for voluntary donations to go to our sock drive so that our Hypothermia Outreach Team can distribute supplies this winter. If you would like to perform and need equipment, please contact oll7@georgetown.edu. Sign-up to perform at the Open Mic here (or sign-up on the spot).
Wednesday: November 16
Covering Homelessness in Washington: Exploring the Ethical Challenges
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Location: GU Capitol Campus, 500 1st Street, NW, Room 750
Sponsored by: Georgetown University Journalism Program
Register at tinyurl.com/HCRP-town-hall
This Town Hall event features a discussion of the challenges in reporting on homelessness and a look at how newsrooms approach coverage of homelessness issues and people. Local reporters and editors along with those with first-hand experience of homelessness will share what they would like to see from reporters covering the subject.
Limited street parking available. Accessible by D6, 80, or Union Station-Georgetown circulator bus routes or Red Line (equidistant from Judiciary Square or Union Station metro station, both about 7 min walk). GU students, staff, and faculty must bring their GoCard (physical or mobile) to swipe into the building at the main entrance. All visitors must follow the Visitor Registration Policy and check in at the security desk.
Attendees should take the elevator to the 7th floor, and follow the signs to room 750. Questions? Contact Professor Ann Oldenburg.
Thursday, November 17
Documentary Screening of Street Reporter
7:00 – 10:00 pm
Location: Leavey Program Room
Sponsored by: HOPE
Join HOPE for a screening of Street Reporter (~30 mins), a documentary about an aspiring photojournalist who hopes to overcome her experience of homelessness. This film was shot in Washington, DC, and gives a deeply personal account of her experience. A discussion on the film will follow. Direct questions to HOPE at guhope@georgetown.edu.
Friday, November 18
Hypothermia Outreach Team Training
12:00 – 1:30 pm
Location: Herman Room, Healey Family Student Center (HFSC)
Sponsored by: HOME Program – Center for Social Justice (new window)
Register for this training or sign up for this or future training sessions.
The severe weather in winter makes homelessness more immediately life-threatening, especially during hypothermia season (from November 1 through April 15). Every summer and winter, Washington, DC city government agencies, faith communities, and nonprofit organizations provide emergency services to support men, women, and families experiencing homelessness.
As part of these efforts, the CSJ partners with the Georgetown Ministry Center (GMC) to form a Hypothermia Outreach Team (HOT) as the severe weather approaches. HOT volunteers help to prevent death from exposure and encourage unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness to seek safety in available shelters and warming stations. This volunteer work is an important way for the Georgetown community to care for our own neighbors in need. No previous experience or specialized skills are required.
You must attend a HOT training before your first walk.
Narcan Training
1:30 – 3:00 pm
Location: Herman Room, Healey Family Student Center (HFSC)
Sponsored by: H*yas for Choice and HOME Program – Center for Social Justice (new window)
Meet us in the Herman Room at 1:30 to become a certified Narcan user! H*yas for Choice, HOME, and ACLU are hosting HIPS to train attendees in administering Narcan (Naxolone), an emergency treatment for opioid overdoses. Attend the HOT training beforehand in the same room, or join us just to be Narcan trained.
HIPS (Harm reduction experts ImProving liveS) is a DC organization that provides harm reduction services to sex workers and drug users. Learn more about HIPS here!
Friday Foods
4:15 – 6:00 pm
Location: McShain Lounge, McCarthy Hall
Sponsored by: HOPE
Participants in this activity bring over 60 meals and other amenities to unhoused individuals in Dupont Circle, with a focus on community-building and interaction. Meet in McShain Lounge in McCarthy Hall at 4:15 pm to assemble items and meals and then take the GUTS bus to Dupont Circle.
Submit accommodation requests regarding a disability to csj.georgetown.edu/ar. A good faith effort will be made to fulfill requests.