Habitat Week raises awareness of Athens' poverty

from The Red and the Black

By: SONIA SHARAN

This weekend temperatures dropped again, and many didn't go out because of the thunderstorms. While students enjoyed warmth inside, there were many in Athens who do not have that luxury.

Habitat for Humanity is having their annual Act! Speak! Build! Week until Saturday with various events aimed at making students aware of their mission to build houses and increase awareness of poverty and homelessness.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY'S ACT! SPEAK! BUILD! WEEK

Monday - Discussion Panel
When: 6 tonight
Where: SLC 248
Price: Free
Wednesday - Habifest Night
When: 7 p.m.
Where: Memorial Hall room 407 and Tate Plaza
Price: $15 (includes dinner, breakfast, T-shirt)
Thursday - Letter Writing Campaign
When: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Tate Plaza
Price: Free
"[It] is a worldwide, student-initiated advocacy event for affordable housing," said Ashley Doliber, Vice President of Public Relations for UGA Habitat for Humanity and a sophomore from Savannah.

The week of events came from a realization that Habitat's mission was not clearly expressed to students, said Doliber. The activities aim to help students understand what Habitat does and why.

"The whole Act! Speak! Build! Week experience is amazing because it gives you a new perspective about poverty and its impact," said Seychelle Vos, a sophomore from Clemson, S.C., who helped organize Habifest.

There is a divide between life as a student in Athens and residents who are impoverished. Athens-Clarke County consistently ranks high in studies on poverty levels. The poverty rate is 28.3 percent, which means over 26,000 residents living in poverty, according to data compiled by Partners for a Prosperous Athens.

"Athens is a poor city and we often don't realize it while we are stuck in our little University world," said Vos.

Today, Habitat will host a discussion panel about the University's impact on poverty in Athens. Panelists will discuss the impact, both positive and negative, the University has on poverty in Athens, Doliber said.

Tuesday, the group will distribute ribbons on campus for students to show their support for the cause.

One of the biggest events is Habifest Night on Wednesday.

The night starts with a poverty banquet. Then, participants make their own cardboard houses and create a shanty town on Tate Plaza. There will be a scavenger hunt and a luminary vigil ceremony. Improv comedy troupe Ice Cream Socialists will provide entertainment.

Participants will experience what it is like to sleep outdoors in a makeshift home. Unlike actual homeless people, they will be entertained and fed and have the option of going home if it gets to be too much.

"The money is not the main concern in this event," said Vos. "The event was always an advocacy event. We hope to give people a first hand experience with what poverty feels like and possibly encourage them to find ways to help out in the community."

Thursday, UGA Habitat will set up tables in Tate Plaza for students to help with their letter writing campaign. These are to advocate affordable housing to legislators.