Amanda Webster
CCSU students along with Community Central have been working towards finding solutions to the growing population of homeless people in the city of New Britain.
According to a count conducted by a state-based homeless coalition in 2011, there are about 115 homeless people currently living in New Britain, however, experts in the field say the number may be much higher. The number does not include homeless individuals who double up in homes and who live out of their vehicles.
An event which was held last Thursday was put on by Community Central to bring awareness to the homeless situation in New Britain. “A Night for the Children” acted as a fundraiser to benefit Mayor O’Brien’s Workplan to End Homelessness. Central students worked along with Vance Elementary students to make ceramic bowls that guests at the event filled with soup or chili.
According to Hurwitz, the event raised over $5,000 that will go towards the mayor’s initiative and towards preventing other people from ending up in a situation where they are left without a home.
“When you’re so focused on where you’re going to sleep or eat, just basic survival, you’re not necessarily thinking about how to get yourself out of this situation,” explained Hurwitz.
John Carey, a senior at CCSU has been gathering research about the homeless in New Britain in attempts to find a solution to the growing problem. Through an internship with Community Central Carey has been actively involved with the city’s efforts to help the homeless. By sitting down and conducting personal interviews with individuals who are faced with the reality of living on the streets, Carey is able to better understand what resources are necessary to help get people out of their current situation.
“I want to clarify that there is a problem and be able to justify a need for research to solve the problem,” said Carey in a phone interview.
Through talking with individuals who suffer from homelessness, Carey has identified some of the leading factors that result in a person living in shelters. Carey stated that much of what he has found may be obvious to anyone looking at homeless people from an outside perspective but there are also stereotypes that are blown out of proportion.
“A lot of people think that most homeless people have a problem with drugs or alcohol but really only about 30 to 50 percent of people have or have had issues with drugs. Some people are clean now but have problems with the law and can’t get a job because of their record,” explained Carey.
Other factors that have led to the growing number of homeless in New Britain are the lack of jobs in and around the city and lack of transportation for people to get to their jobs.
Other professors and classes at CCSU have gotten involved with spreading awareness about the homelessness problem in the surrounding area. Hurwitz said that a MIS class taught by Olga Petkova is working on making a website for homeless individuals to go to for information that will be helpful for them.
“The students have been great,” said Hurwitz.
Community Central will be hosting another event on April 18th called “A Home of One’s Own” at the New Britain Museum of American Art. The event is again aimed to benefit the mayor’s Workplan to End Homlessness and will feature different art displays, poetry, and dancing.