USHS and Waldorf 8th Grade class
On May 29, 2015, the entire 8th Grade class of Pasadena Waldorf School turned one of the school’s annual rite of passage events, the 8th Grade sleepover in the school’s historic Scripps Hall, into something even more meaningful this year. The students used this opportunity to help raise awareness and money for Union Station Homeless Services as part of their Camp Out to Stamp Out Homelessness campaign.
The sleepover was both a fundraiser for Union Station and an opportunity for the students to deepen their understanding of the challenges homelessness poses for individuals and families right here in our local community. Students heard a presentation from Mary Ann, who talked about how Union Station provided her the foundation, support, and resources to help rebuild her life.
“My life now is so different from 3 years ago,” Mary Ann told the class. “I didn’t want to work, I didn’t want to do anything, I just wanted to go away –now, it is a lot better thanks to Union Station.”
The 8th graders then played an online game called Spent, in which they had to make hypothetical life decisions including vocations, starting a family, and where they may reside. They got to experience firsthand how any number of live events (losing a job or a house, having children) can lead to a person or family becoming homeless.
The compassion of the class led to more than $3,300 raised from families, friends, and community members that will go directly to Union Station Homeless Services in support of the services they provide throughout the San Gabriel Valley. The Class of 2019 and Union Station have benefited from a partnership with the class volunteering and raising awareness for the social issue of homelessness for several years with their participation in the organization’s Adopt-a-Meal program.
For more information about Union Station Homeless Services, please visit www.unionstationhs.org.
Union Station Homeless Services, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, is committed to helping homeless men, women and children rebuild their lives. Union Station Homeless Services is part of a premier group of human services agencies in Los Angeles County that are leading the way to ending homelessness in our community. We are the San Gabriel Valley’s largest social service agency assisting homeless and very low-income adults and families. We believe every person deserves a life of dignity and a safe place to call home. With 41 years of experience, we proudly offer a full continuum of eight programs in seven locations; services include street outreach, intake/assessment, care coordination and navigation, meals, shelter, housing, employment development, benefits enrollment, and referrals to medical and mental health services.
