Campus paper donates large sum to local homelessness program
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By: Robert C. Gunst Jr., Staff Writer
Issue date: 3/7/08 Section: City
Real Change from Spare Change aims to raise $70,000 annually.
The collaborative initiative received a considerable step toward this year's goal Thursday with a $10,000 donation from The Daily Tar Heel.
"The perception is that we are a transient community," said Joe Schwartz, president of the DTH's Board of Directors, referencing the cycle of student writers who rotate through every four years. "But we are invested in this community."
This is the largest donation the program has received, said George Draper, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Downtown Partnership, which coordinates the program.
Instead of encouraging pedestrians to give to the homeless on the street, Real Change from Spare Change's larger fund supports outreach workers in their efforts to provide medical attention, mental health services and a generally healthier lifestyle for the homeless.
The program also promotes educational opportunities to increase awareness about supporting the homeless, Draper said.
The group works closely with 22 local organizations including the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce and the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness.
Real Change from Spare Change is an important part of the town's 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, Chapel Hill Town Council member Sally Greene said.
The organization's funds supports the first goal of the plan, which is to establish a street outreach program to help the homeless.
The Orange County street outreach program began in April in conjunction with the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service and the Housing for New Hope in Durham.
"We try to help lead (the homeless) back to services and housing," said Terry Allebaugh, executive director of Housing for New Hope.
Housing for New Hope strives to end homelessness by helping the homeless find access to affordable health care, transitional housing and crisis assistance.
A $50 donation to Real Change from Spare Change will fund efforts to help a homeless client with job skills and job hunting paper work. And larger gifts will connect the homeless with further services.
"I'm sure the gift from The Daily Tar Heel will get the ball rolling to where we need to be in supporting this effort," Greene said.
Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
The collaborative initiative received a considerable step toward this year's goal Thursday with a $10,000 donation from The Daily Tar Heel.
"The perception is that we are a transient community," said Joe Schwartz, president of the DTH's Board of Directors, referencing the cycle of student writers who rotate through every four years. "But we are invested in this community."
This is the largest donation the program has received, said George Draper, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Downtown Partnership, which coordinates the program.
Instead of encouraging pedestrians to give to the homeless on the street, Real Change from Spare Change's larger fund supports outreach workers in their efforts to provide medical attention, mental health services and a generally healthier lifestyle for the homeless.
The program also promotes educational opportunities to increase awareness about supporting the homeless, Draper said.
The group works closely with 22 local organizations including the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce and the Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness.
Real Change from Spare Change is an important part of the town's 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, Chapel Hill Town Council member Sally Greene said.
The organization's funds supports the first goal of the plan, which is to establish a street outreach program to help the homeless.
The Orange County street outreach program began in April in conjunction with the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service and the Housing for New Hope in Durham.
"We try to help lead (the homeless) back to services and housing," said Terry Allebaugh, executive director of Housing for New Hope.
Housing for New Hope strives to end homelessness by helping the homeless find access to affordable health care, transitional housing and crisis assistance.
A $50 donation to Real Change from Spare Change will fund efforts to help a homeless client with job skills and job hunting paper work. And larger gifts will connect the homeless with further services.
"I'm sure the gift from The Daily Tar Heel will get the ball rolling to where we need to be in supporting this effort," Greene said.
Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.
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