What you can do about homelessness

On April 1, more than 60 of our community members faced the question of, “Where will I sleep tonight?” while temperatures began dropping and rain began falling. Unfortunately, this wasn’t a prank — it was a reality.

Interfaith Winter Shelter closed for the season, leaving Bloomington without a low-barrier shelter again for the next five months.

There has been some resistance to the necessity of a low-barrier shelter in this community from various groups, many of who argue that there are other shelters in Bloomington where people experiencing homelessness can stay.

However, these shelters are often at capacity and require people to be sober everyday, get a tuberculosis test, be free of bedbugs and be able to provide proof that they are a resident of Monroe County. Those are just a few of the
stipulations.  

How can people with addictions or mental illness overcome those challenges if they are also suffering from sleep deprivation?

How can people overcome chronic homelessness when police officers are ripping apart their tents and few belongings because it is illegal to sleep on the streets in Bloomington?

The answer is simple — a permanent low-barrier shelter in Bloomington that focuses on the dignity of every person and provides them with safe sleep as long as they are respectful.

As students, we have power in this community. Those who say our voice doesn’t matter are wrong. We can make a difference and already have.

Some students have collaborated to create a permanent low-barrier shelter in Bloomington, known as Ubuntu Shelter.

However, they are in need of more student support and volunteers. Do your part to make a difference. The stakes are high. Our neighbors’ lives hang in the balance. All people matter.

Megan Potter