What others say: One Homeless Night puts focus on local homelessness issues

  • Tuesday, September 15, 2015 12:28pm
  • Opinion

Most of us spent last night warm and dry in bed, sleeping relatively well. But a group of Fairbanks residents willingly spent that time outside in near-freezing temperatures. It was part of a fundraiser and awareness campaign called One Homeless Night, aiming to bring attention to the part of those in the community who don’t have a place to stay.

One Homeless Night is a national campaign that has seen involvement by both Fairbanks residents and students at the University of Alaska Fairbanks in recent years. This year’s event was hosted by local homeless nonprofit group Fairbanks Youth Advocates, next to their facility known as The Door.

During the event, participants construct makeshift structures using cardboard and spend the night in sleeping bags as a simulation of the conditions faced by the homeless. It’s a powerful experience, with participants working hard to stay warm and deal with outdoor conditions. Those who participate often come away with a heightened awareness and appreciation for homeless issues.

At the same time, One Homeless Night isn’t meant to be a truly “authentic” homeless experience. Being homeless is unpleasant at best and dangerous at worst. For the homeless, getting harassed or assaulted during the night is a real possibility, and in many cases being homeless makes it near impossible to hold down a job or provide for food and other basic life necessities. Many among the homeless struggle with mental illness for which they don’t receive effective treatment. And unlike those choosing to spend the night outside, the homeless often don’t have a “safety net,” a safe, warm place they can go if staying outside isn’t an option.

With their relatively new facility, The Door, Fairbanks Youth Advocates is serving one of the most vulnerable homeless populations: teenagers. Dozens, even hundreds of young people in Fairbanks don’t have stable housing, and some have to spend nights outside.

Other local shelters target homeless residents older than 18, and Fairbanks Youth Advocates opened The Door in 2012 as an effort to provide stability for young people and help them break the destructive cycle of chronic homelessness. Unlike those who have spent years or even decades on the street, a relatively small amount of help for many homeless young people can lead to positive results that last a lifetime — and huge cost savings for the community.

While it’s too late to participate in this year’s One Homeless Night event, it’s never too late to donate money, food or clothing to The Door or other local shelters. On its website, The Door lists high-demand items that it needs. They include food items such as fruit, juice and canned goods, as well as clothing needs such as socks and underwear.

Now is the time when being homeless in Fairbanks goes from being uncomfortable to potentially life-threatening. One Homeless Night is a meaningful reminder that many in our community are sorely in need of shelter and other amenities — and our help can go a long way.

— Fairbanks Daily News-Miner,

Sept. 12

More in Opinion

Dawson Slaughter is president of the Anchor Point Chamber of Commerce and a candidate for State House District 6. (Courtesy photo)
Opinion: Children, education, obligation

Our children and the future children of Alaskans must always be the priority and first in our education concerns

The Exxon Baton Rouge, smaller ship, attempts to off-load crude from the Exxon Valdez that ran aground in Prince William Sound, Valdez, Alaska, spilling over 270,000 barrels of crude oil, shown March 26, 1989. (AP Photo/Rob Stapleton)
Point of View: Exxon Valdez oil spill brought out local heroes

When the Exxon Valdez ran aground in Prince William Sound 35 years ago, local people sprang to respond long before Exxon provided any help

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Opinion: No Alaska governor has ever so boldly held schools and students as political hostages

‘Star Trek’ reference looks past real argument for school funding

Rep. Justin Ruffridge, a Soldotna Republican who co-chairs the House Education Committee, speaks in favor overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Justin Ruffridge: Supporting education

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Rep. Ben Carpenter, a Nikiski Republican, speaks in opposition to overriding a veto of Senate Bill 140 during floor debate of a joint session of the Alaska State Legislature on Monday, March 18, 2024. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Rep. Ben Carpenter: Education is too important to keep getting wrong

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Larry Persily. (Juneau Empire file photo)
Point of View: Some state lawmakers need to embrace reality, not PFD political theater

State revenues minus public services do not leave enough in the checkbook to pay an oversized dividend

Rep. Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, speaks about teacher bonuses during consideration a bill increasing state funds for public education in the Alaska House of Representatives on Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Rep. Ben Carpenter: Holding up a mirror to state government

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, R-Nikiski, speaks in opposition to an executive order that would abolish the Board of Certified Direct-Entry Midwives during a joint legislative session on Tuesday, March 12, 2024, in Juneau, Alaska. (Ashlyn O’Hara/Peninsula Clarion)
Sen. Jesse Bjorkman: Ensuring food security for Alaska

Capitol Corner: Legislators report back from Juneau

Most Read