By Jean-David (JD) Tremblay, second-year Construction Engineering Technician student and Loyalist College Board of Governors student representative
On January 30, Market Square in Belleville will be filled with boxes. Those boxes will be the shelter for local citizens who come from the Quinte West region. Luckily these volunteers will only have to spend one full night sleeping outside, which is unfortunately not the case for many people who live around us. For this reason it is my honour to participate in the event, organized by the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Last year I took part in this event with my brother and it was an eye opener, not only to see that there were many people who were without a steady shelter, but also to see in one night how challenging it can be to sleep without a home. To put it in perspective, I will share a little about what I experienced at last year’s ‘Sleep Out So Others Can Sleep In.’ The night started with music, paramedics getting in place and people enjoying building their ‘house.’ All through the evening there were recognitions, guest speakers and enjoyable games to keep the focus on why we were all gathered. Meanwhile, a group of volunteers from various organizations, including Loyalist College students, served warm food and beverages.
When most of the activities were over it was time to crawl into our respective cardboard shelters and try to fall asleep. During the night the temperatures dropped down to a harsh -16°C. For those who were unprepared with the proper gear, the night was cut short and they went home. I woke up at 7 am to pick up my box and leave the Square. When I arrived home I realized how blessed I was to have a shower and a warm meal.
This experience helped me to understand a glimpse of what homeless people have to face to survive. When I catch myself not being content with what I currently possess, I relate to this amazing life changing experience. Homelessness is a situation that most people do not foresee happening. At this moment you might not be in this position, but it could be someone you know or who is close to you.
To learn more about participating in this fundraising event and how you can help to make a difference in someone’s life, please visit http://hastings-cmha.org or contact Sandie Sidsworth, Executive Director, Canadian Mental Health Association, Hastings and Prince Edward Branch, at 613-969-8874 or ssidsworth@hastings-cmha.org.