It’s homelessness awareness week in Marquette

MARQUETTE, Mich. — Homelessness Awareness Week in the Marquette is Nov. 15 – 23. A new task force is developing to tackle this topic, and I hope the city can be part of that conversation. An event at the Ore Dock kicks off Friday 6 PM. Saturday at 10 AM, will be a ‘Walk in Their Shoes’ beginning at the Berry Events Center.

We need to start a new conversation about homelessness – about low income, no income residents, working class families as well – one with compassionate but concrete solutions, and it starts with awareness, education, and immersion.

Hope to see the community out at both events.

Lifting Up Community Dialogue Series

Part one of the Lifting Up Community Dialogue Series, Room at the Inn presents Homelessness in the 906, a panel discussion featuring organizations that work to eliminate and respond to home insecurity throughout the Upper Peninsula. The event will feature a panel discussion with representatives from Room At The Inn, Community Action Alger Marquette, St Vincent De Paul-Marquette, Janzen House and Lutheran Social Services, speaking to services offered and challenges they face, as well as answering questions from the community. The event will also include a poverty simulation, announcement of Room At The Inn’s Volunteer of the Year and an ice cream social supported by Room At The Inn and Jilbert Dairy.

The conversation will begin at 6 p.m. A $10 suggested donation will be collected at the door to support Room At The Inn and our fellow community members requiring their services.

Ore Dock Brewing Co. will be collecting new and gently used winter gear (coats, boots, hats, gloves, socks, etc.) throughout November (Homelessness Awareness Month) and December that will be donated to Room At The Inn’s guests.

Lifting Up Community Dialogue Series aims to provide a platform for bringing lesser known or under discussed issues affecting our community to the forefront by bringing together diverse voices and perspectives surrounding a common issue. Discussions are open to all ages of the public and take place in Ore Dock Brewing Company’s upstairs community space. Attendees are encouraged to bring questions to ask the panel and engage in respectful dialogue to further the conversation.

“Walk a Mile in their Shoes”

Please join us Saturday, November 16, 2019 10:00 am at the Berry Events Center parking lot 60 for a walk promoting awareness of homelessness in our community. The route will travel down Third St to Washington St and over to Front. Refreshments will be served at First Presbyterian Church and walkers can return to their cars down Front Street or be shuttled back to their cars.

Gently used and new shoes and boots will be collected at the start of the walk.

>> Read Andrew’s Position >>