Progress 2007 Behind the scenes
KU students announce homelessness awareness project
April 21, 2007
Advertisement
How to help
To donate a sleeping bag, drop it off by May 1 at the Lawrence Community Shelter, 214 W. 10th St., or the Pelathe Center, 1423 Haskell Ave. For more information, e-mail Shoutlawrence@gmail.com or call 766-6539.
Shannon Williams and Jenni Holtaway are disturbed by a national trend known as “bum bashing,” and they’re determined to do something to end that sort of violence here in Lawrence.
“Bum bashing” is when a group of individuals attack a homeless person for no reason other than personal pleasure. Williams and Holtaway, both Kansas University students pursuing master’s degrees in social work, said 142 people were attacked in such incidents nationwide last year. Twenty of those people were killed.
Two Lawrence homeless people were attacked this February.
“This is wrong. We need to do something about it,” Holtaway said in early April.
In an effort to promote awareness, Williams and Holtaway have planned a visual display to represent the 144 people who have been attacked. They’re asking for donations of new and lightly used sleeping bags that they will display May 5 in South Park. Each bag will be tagged with the name of an individual who was a victim of violence.
“We want people to know this is going on. There are so many people that don’t know and are shocked when we tell them,” Holtaway said.
After the display concludes, Williams and Holtaway will donate the sleeping bags to the Lawrence Community Shelter and the Salvation Army.
Williams said that most often, people simply don’t understand what the homeless face.
“These people are being beaten, raped or set on fire,” Williams said. “The homeless people are as scared of society as society is of them.”
Loring Henderson, executive director of the Lawrence Community Shelter, agreed. Henderson said he was highly supportive of the project.
“(Violence) is a serious issue. Homeless people are afraid because that has happened a lot,” he said.
Henderson said he was encouraged that these kinds of violent acts are comparatively rare in Lawrence, and he credits Lawrence Police for creating a general atmosphere of safety.
He is excited and appreciative of the possibility of receiving some of these sleeping bags.
“Sleeping bags are worth their weight in gold to homeless people,” Henderson said. “Sleeping bags help make people just a little more comfortable.”
Top ads RSS
- Media Account Executive Applicant must have; • 2 years or ...
- DENTAL HYGIENIST wanted. Please send resume to Webber & Webber ...
- Maintenance/ Service Worker- General Maintenance The University of Kansas, Recreation ...
- RECEPTIONIST Do you like people and have good communications skills? ...
- CNA Must be a team player, reliable and dependable. Compassionate ...
Marketplace
Arts & Entertainment · Bars · Theatres · Restaurants · Coffeehouses · Libraries · Antiques · Services
- Blacks live — and die — with police bias May 15, 2008 · 68 comments
- Weblog: The Backyard Fence Blog April 23, 2008 · 450 comments
- Weblog: Interactive Bruce Springsteen "The Boss" Song Title Game May 15, 2008 · 39 comments
- Poll: Which of these insects creeps you out the most? May 15, 2008 · 35 comments
- Blog: Police investigate report that illegal touching occurred between a 31-year-old man and 9-year-old girl May 15, 2008 · 21 comments
- Dallas TV station to report Darrell Arthur allegedly may have benefited from academic improprieties in high school May 15, 2008 · 11 comments
- Man injured in early-morning shooting May 14, 2008 · 113 comments
- Clinton trounces Obama in W.Va. May 14, 2008 · 57 comments
- Outdoor concert impresses visitors May 15, 2008 · 40 comments
- Wal-Mart nearly ready to build city’s new store May 13, 2008 · 134 comments
- Outdoor concert impresses visitors May 15, 2008
- Dallas TV station to report Darrell Arthur allegedly may have benefited from academic improprieties in high school May 15, 2008
- Joy ride leads police to suspect May 17, 2003
- Trial date set for Matthew Jaeger, man accused of severely injuring woman May 15, 2008
- Statewide smoking ban proposal will be back May 15, 2008
- Lakeside lots no scenic view May 15, 2008
- 6News Now: Jaeger trial date set May 15, 2008
- Quarterly Gallery Walk slated for tonight April 25, 2008
- YMCA may open branch in city May 14, 2008
- Students probe Potter Lake May 15, 2008
Progress 2007 Ads
- Diamond Cabnetry & Wood Products, inc.: Custom entertainment centers, custom cabinets...
- Lawrence Therapy Services: Physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, massage therapy...
- Buckingham palace: Spring Cleaning to do list, vacuum house, clean bathroom...
- Howard Pine's Garden Center: Since 1962, Howard Pine's has been your local garden expert...
- Legends Drive Dental: Are you looking for a new dental experience?...
- Miller & Midyett: Cheryl L. Baldwin has been part of the Century 21 Miller-Midyett office since 1999...
- Gateway Auto Service: Our customers can expect their cars to last longer...
- Lawrence Therapy Services: Laura Bennetts is a founder and co-owner of Lawrence Therapy Servcies...
- Lawrence Therapy Services: Kimberly Hoffman is a founder and co-owner of Lawrence Therapy Services...
- See more ads


21 April 2007 at 11:06 a.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
smitty (Anonymous) says…
Breaking news!!! This is the exact same story that was published last week.
21 April 2007 at 2:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
leadrain (Anonymous) says…
Like I suggested previously, summer is near, they'll stay warm enough. And anyone with any innitiative won't BE homeless by the time it chills off. But, for those lazy, shiftless, beligerant ones; go ahead and give them the bag, they'll need all the extra padding they can get.
21 April 2007 at 9:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
Permalink
JLoh21 (Anonymous) says…
Perhaps shannon and jenni should really be true to their beliefs and let a few of the “homeless” move in with them.