Teens raising funds and awareness to address homelessness problem
WAYNE… High school scholars will be spending Friday night sleeping in boxes outside to raise awareness of the high rate of homelessness among military veterans and to solicit funds to help them, according to Ellie McNeal, a student at Wayne Hills High School, “It is shameful that after serving our country many veterans return homeless and live on the streets,” she said. “We owe these brave men and women our gratitude and support.”
Students from the school’s national honor society chapter are hosting the NHS Goes Homeless event Friday outside their school as a fundraiser for Homefront Hearts, a NJ organization that provides aid to veterans in need, including homeless vets and military families.
McNeal, chair of the Wayne Hills High School National Honor Society, asked for support from the American Federation of Teachers faculty union at William Paterson University. Sociology professor Susanna Tardi, who serves as president of the local and executive vice president of the American Federation of Teachers New Jersey (AFTNJ) took up the cause of raising funds from the local and from AFTNJ. “In advance of Memorial Day, it’s fitting that we help teach students about the plight of homeless veterans and the importance of supporting them,” said Tardi.
Wayne mayor Christopher P. Vergano will be a guest speaker at the event.