Published: January 20, 2006
Queens, NY
Patrick McClay participated in a Campus
Ministry sponsored program during November's Hunger Awareness
Month.
Here at St. John's University I am not only a student but also
an athlete. I am a member of the men's lacrosse team. St. John's
student-athletes are actively involved in community service both on
and off campus. The other night I had the opportunity to
participate in an eye-opening experience. "A Night in Solidarity"
was a chance for me personally to be apart of something that I have
never known, and hope never to know. After spending just one night
in the shoes of a homeless person, I have a completely different
view on the whole situation.
The night started at 8 p.m. I was asked to meet in St. Thomas A.
More Church. At the time of my arrival I was greeted by many new
and welcoming faces. First, we went around the table and stated our
names, and reason for being there, while at the same time enjoying
a typical meal served in a shelter- bread and soup. After spending
the night, I realized what this meant, and the message that they
were trying to get across. Next, we all gathered in a circle with a
ball of yarn and every person stated what homelessness meant to
them when the ball was tossed to them. I said being homeless meant
being stripped of everything that one has ever known or loved, and
having to live each day not knowing where your next meal is coming
from, or where you will sleep.
After hearing what each person had to say, I got a good idea of
what it would be like to be homeless, and thought to myself that I
hope I never have to deal with it personally. After thoughts were
exchanged we all sat down and listened to a real life experience
from a man who had been homeless for a short period of time. This
was the point of the night when everything hit home and everyone
began to understand what we were all apart of. I know that it did
with me. The night came to an end with the showing of the movie
"With Honors," which deals with the topic of homelessness.
Personally, I know that this is one night that I will never
forget. The values that I learned I will take with me for the rest
of my life and every time I come across a person that is most
likely homeless, I will go out of my way to help them in any way
possible. After time for reflection, I can honestly say that the
experience gave me an even greater understanding of homelessness.
It was an opportunity for me and the others there to step out of
their comfort zone and experience something that is an ever-growing
concern around the world.