Walk to benefit local homeless

Summer Vergiels' fight homelessness began when she almost fell victim to it herself.\n"I was four days away from being homeless with my son when a kind woman rented us a room in her house," she said.\nNow, in addition to working several jobs and caring for her young son, Micah, Vergiels helps those in similar situations by volunteering at a local food pantry. \nBecause of her passion for the issue, Vergiels said she was chosen to be the spokeswoman for Bloomington's fourth annual Homeward Bound, a fundraising walk dedicated to ending homelessness that will take place Sunday at Third Street Park.\nDarrell Ann Stone, third year co-chairwoman of Homeward Bound, said she also joined the event because she has witnessed homelessness in different ways.\n"As a professional working in nonprofits, I saw it firsthand with clients," Stone said. "The city has also changed dramatically; the most recent visual is that housing has changed."\nStone said she believes the drive for a wealthier market is preventing the growth of affordable housing in the area. \n"More and more expensive (housing) is going up for people who have, and less and less for people who need," Stone added.\nEvent organizer and intern for Bloomington's Housing and Neighborhood Development department Corinne Reynolds agrees that Homeward Bound is important for raising awareness of housing issues.\n"Homelessness is overlooked in Bloomington, and it is a serious issue here," Reynolds said. "More than 20,000 individuals in Monroe County live below the poverty level because of a lack of affordable housing units."\nBloomington's walk has raised more than $130,000 in the past three years. All of the funds go directly to 13 local social service providers to help provide the homeless with shelter, food and other needs.\nThe Mental Health Alliance is one of the benefiting agencies of Homeward Bound that has been involved with the event since its inception.\n"There is a percentage of homeless persons who have issues regarding mental illness," said Executive Director Donna Graves. "We come in to help with support because it is a piece of why they are where they are."\nThe IU community is also getting involved with Homeward Bound.\nSocial work assistant professor Sabrina Williamson said that one of her classes is trying to raise awareness of the event among young people. The students have spoken to organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club and local junior high schools.\n"Our goal is to get them to open their eyes and look," Williamson said.\nWilliamson will also be moderating the Union Board panel, "Hand Up for Homelessness Board," that will take place at 7 p.m. tonight. \nThe panel will feature four members of local nonprofit organizations which will address issues on homelessness and poverty.\nAdam Newman, director of the UB Debates and Issues Committee, said the event will organize groups to sign up for Homeward Bound.\n"It is important for students to be involved," Newman said. "Walking down Kirkwood, they see homelessness every day."\nTo find out more information on Homeward Bound or to register for the walk, visit www.homelesswalks.org.