Sleep Out gives a taste of homelessness

By Samantha Reed

BELLEVILLE – Lora Powell is so bundled up you can barely see her face through all the layers of sweaters, scarves and hats.

“It’s so cold out, I have to stay warm,” she said, looking at the mittens on her hands.

Powell is one of hundreds who spent Friday night sleeping on the grounds of Market Square to raise money for local anti-homelessness initiatives.

“I did it last year and it was an eye-opening experience. It changed my whole perspective on homelessness and how much there actually is in Belleville,” she said.

Friday marked the 9th annual Sleep Out! So Others Can Sleep In event. It is organized by the Hastings and Prince Edward Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

This is Powell’s second year attending the event. She said each year is a really unique experience.

“I met a couple homeless people last year and heard their stories that they told me. I had a couple break down in front of me and thank me,” she said.

But the event is only a taste of what it’s like to be homeless, said the 19-year-old Loyalist College student.

“It’s only a sample compared to what people are actually going through,” she said. “(For this event) I have food, I have drinks and free pizza, and they don’t.”

Sandie Sidsworth, executive director of the branch, said she is amazed by how the community comes together for the event.

“We’re always so lucky with the people who connect with us to do the event, but this year is stellar,” she said.

Sidsworth echoed similar remarks to Powell, saying that the event can only offer a taste of what it’s truly like to be homeless.

“It would be almost intolerable to tell people to come out with us and you’ll know what homelessness is, because that’s insulting to the people who are out there and survive every night,” she said.

The event is about creating an understanding.

“If we can create empathy, instead of looking at it as ‘those people’,” she said. “This could happen to anyone, to me or you.”

The event surpassed its $10,000 goal, raising a total of $13,911. Funds go towards the four transitional homes in the area.