BY CAROLINE BUNNELL
A group of Stonehill students are working to collect donations for the Homelessness Improvement Project in Brockton, after becoming involved through Stonehill professor, Corey Dolgan’s Public Sociologies class, during the Fall semester.
“We have met some incredible people, with some incredible stories, and our project hoped to reduce the stigma of individuals experiencing homelessness and then further educate the public on ways they can help, and what’s truly being done,” Organizer of the donation bins, and Stonehill student, Gabby Moreschi said.
Through the sociology class, Dolgan’s students were given the final assignment to become involved in a community organization, or group, then educate the public about it, and how to help.
By the end of the Fall semester, the five students knew that they would need more time to complete the project, so they enrolled in a direct study with Professor Dolgan to continue their work.
“While we had started our very large task, it was clear we were not going to have enough time to finish everything before the semester had ended,” Moreschi said.
One aspect of the project was using PhotoVoice, a research method that uses photography to gather information about a group of people, or community. For this project, it involved giving homeless individuals a disposable camera to document their own story, in their own way. They take pictures of what they do, who they spend time with, and things that bring them joy.
“The photos are incredible, and we are currently setting up a poster session in the Brockton Public Library to share our research to show off a photo gallery of their images with their captions,” Moreschi said.
Other events that were put on by the students involved a karaoke day which gave the individuals experiencing homelessness in the shelter a memorable, and fun experience.
The students are also continuing to do research on homelessness in the city of Brockton, as well as collecting cameras with the captions to include with their research.
“It truly is the best when the people who are directly experiencing homelessness are being heard,” Moreschi said.
The group is looking for a variety of donations to help support the Homelessness Improvement Project.
The main priority of donations includes winter gear including jackets, pants, hats, and gloves. They are also looking for toiletrees including hygiene products such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, soap, and first aid kits.
Donations can be brought to Bogan Hall suite 221, or email gmoreschi@students.stonehill.edu or mgauthier@students.stonehill.edu.
The group will be collecting donations through the end of the semester, despite the listing on the flyer, but are looking for winter gear donations by the middle of March.
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